Social media refers to a variety of technologies that facilitate the sharing of ideas and information among their users. From Facebook and Instagram to X platform (formerly Twitter) and YouTube, more than 4.7 billion people use social media, equal to roughly 60% of the world’s population. In early 2023, 94.8% of users accessed chat and messaging apps and websites, followed closely by social platforms, with 94.6% of users.
Key Takeaways
- Social media is digital technology that allows the sharing of ideas and information, including text and visuals, through virtual networks and communities.
- It typically features user-generated content that lends itself to engagement via likes, shares, comments, and discussions.
- More than 4.7 billion people around the world use social media.
- It helps people build communities while also posing challenges such as facilitating misinformation and hate speech.
- Social media is an integral part of many companies’ marketing campaigns.
- The largest social media platforms worldwide are Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram, and WeChat.
A Brief History and Evolution of Social Media
Social media started out as a way for people to interact with friends and family but soon expanded to serve many different purposes. In 2004, MySpace was the first network to reach 1 million monthly active users.
Social media participation exploded in the years that followed with the entry of Facebook and Twitter (now X platform). Businesses gravitated toward these platforms in order to reach an audience instantly on a global scale.
As of a recent survey, 46% of internet users worldwide get their news through social media, compared to 40% who view news on news websites. Gen Z and Millennials were most likely to view news on social sites versus other generations.
Social media plays a key role in many businesses’ marketing strategies, not surprising given the sheer number of hours people spend each day on social websites and apps. At the same time, social media is an ever-changing field, with relatively recent apps such as TikTok, Signal, and Clubhouse joining the ranks of established social networks.
The Multifaceted Uses of Social Media Today
Social media platforms are often divided into six categories: social networking, social bookmarking, social news, media sharing, microblogging, and online forums.
These diverse platforms serve a vast range of purposes and user interests. Some appeal to hobbyists, others to professional audiences. People use them to find others across the globe who share their political or ideological views. Entertainers use social media to engage with fans, politicians connect with voters, charities engage donors, and governments disseminate vital information during emergencies.
For businesses, social media has become a key marketing tool. Companies use it to find and engage with customers, drive sales through advertising and promotion, identify fast-moving consumer trends, provide customer service or support, and collect data on users. 📝
Did You Know?
94.6%
Percentage of internet users aged 16 to 64 who visited a social networking site in the past month.
The Juggle of Pros and Cons
Social media platforms allow people to access information in real-time, connect with others, and find niche communities. At its best, it makes the world more interconnected.
On the other hand, social media can spread disinformation, create polarization, and even cause harmful psychological effects.
According to a 2019 survey, social media usage is linked to having more friends and diverse personal networks. One survey discovered that 80% of teenagers say social media makes them feel more connected to their peers.
However, many teens’ use and overuse of social media have raised questions about its effect on their physical and mental health by
Related Terms: digital platforms, content sharing, marketing strategies, social networks, online communities.
References
- DataReportal. “Digital 2023: Global Overview Report”.
- Global Web Index. “The Global Media Landscape”.
- Our World in Data. “The Rise of Social Media”.
- Pew Research Center. “2. Social Media Users More Likely to Interact With People Who Are Different From Them”.
- Pew Research Center. “Connection, Creativity, and Drama: Teen Life on Social Media in 2022”.
- Mayo Clinic. T“eens and Social Media Use: What’s the Impact?”
- Meta. “The Small Business Recovery Is Underway, but Inequalities and Challenges Persist”.
- Statista. “Leading Social Media Platforms Used by Marketers Worldwide as of January 2023”.
- Zenith. “Zenith Forecasts 4.5% Growth for 2023 After 7.3% Uplift in 2022, Marking Continued Healthy Growth”.
