Without a doubt, the age of social media has changed us as a society. For the most part, it’s been a positive thing. Now, we can connect with people worlds away at the click of a button. We can stay in touch with family and friends, keep on top of the latest news and connect with brands on a much more personal level. One area where social has fundamentally changed us is in the way we communicate. Let’s take a look at a few significant ways in which social media has transformed the way we interact with one another.
Increased our sense of urgency and need to share
Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have created an outlet through which we can broadcast our lives down to every minute detail. Real-time sharing has also increased our sense of urgency and amplified our need for instant gratification. Now, you can interact with people and brands any time, 24/7/365 from the comfort of your own home. But are we sharing too much? Well, that’s up to you to judge.
Opened the doors to explore and experience new places and events
Ever wonder what life is like in other cities, states or countries? In the past, you might have to do some research, read a book or watch a television program to discover other lands and cultures. Social media has made it possible to get an inside perspective with little effort. In addition to getting a birds-eye view of other places, the live feed feature of social media has also broken down barriers and made it possible to virtually attend events around the globe.
Made digital communication more personal
Another area where social media has changed communication is by making digital interactions much more personal. Impersonal email messages and difficult-to-interpret text messages are nothing compared to the ability to chat face-to-face in real-time. Photo sharing sites like Snapchat and Instagram invite users to interact with content and add their own personal touch, such as drawing on or filtering their pictures. Brands are even getting in on the action, encouraging customers to engage with them on a more personal level.
Delivered instant access to news and current events
Journalism in today’s day and age is far different than it was even just a decade or so ago. We no longer need to tune into the evening news to find out what’s going on in our communities and the world around us. Now we can monitor trending news and get instant updates directly through our social media channels. This has been most impactful to the millennial generation, of which 40% say they rely on digital outlets for their news.
Provided the ability to broadcast life’s moments live
Whether you’re attending a great concert or witnessing a serious incident, the ability to broadcast life events as they’re happening has changed the game on social media and in our lives. On a lighter note, we can now share even more of our daily lives and experiences with those we care about. On the serious side of things, live broadcast has increased awareness and facilitated conversations about controversial topics. This will hopefully help to build momentum toward achieving positive change.
Social media has undeniably transformed the way we communicate, brought personality back into our digital world and also created new opportunities for brands to engage with customers.
What do you think? How has social media impacted the way you communicate with the people and brands that matter to you? Has it been a positive or negative experience overall? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.