Response to Classmate 5

Classmate #1

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It has been said that Social Media is the future of advertising.  What is your opinion of social media?  Does it empower or exploit? 

I believe that Social Media can be both and operates on a fine line.  For those over the age of 18, you are aware of the information you are putting out there and the privacy levels of which it is shown. I personally am not bothered by the targeted advertising of which social media is the vehicle because I choose what I participate in and what information I am offering up.  For the younger audience that is less aware and more malleable it can work both ways. It can be a great outlet to further self expression, but it can also be detrimental in influencing young minds to look to external sources for self acceptance.

Is social media really worth the kind of money that investors are paying? 

Yes, as we move away from print and cable, social media and streaming services are becoming the easiest way to get marketing impressions.  If done successfully, items or campaigns trend and reach a huge audience for a lower cost.

Explain what “Like”ing someone’s post on Facebook means to you.

For me "like"ing is a way for me to express my interest in something someone shared. I am fairly selective about liking and only do so when I agree with something, fing entertainment from the content, or have an emotional connection to something shared.  I only like content that resonates with me.  For some others I think "like"ing something is just a way to identify they read or watched the content and were listening.

Does knowing others “Like” what you “Like” influence you? Explain.

I would not say it particularly influences whether I like something, but does expose or impress upon me new content I might be interested in.  I find I enjoy content of those who have common "likes" since we have similar taste.  Facebook actually use an algorithm to gear your feed to show content of those who you "like" more.  For example, during the presidential elections you likely got more content that agreed with your viewpoints as you liked others who had similar viewpoints and that content then got prioritized on your feed.  This can be good because you may not be interested in content of which does not resonate with you, but also bad in limiting your viewpoint.

 How do companies use social media to advertise?

Mostly, social media is used by companies to produce targeted marketing through big data or as a vehicle to create trendy content that catches like wildfire.  For example, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which raised awareness and donations for ALS by inciting popular content people wanted to be involved in.  Marketing till social media was largely hands off, now it's all about the power of the people.

Is social media empowering or exploiting teens? 

I think it can be on both ends of the spectrum.  From their perspective I think most teens feel they now have a vehicle for their voice and a way to express themselves.  From a more adult perspective I think it can elevate the value of external value to internal value, which can be a negative. 

Do Kids think they are being used?  Do they care?

I think most kids are aware they are being physically being used as a marketing vehicle, but don't feel used in the sense of being exploited.  In other words they don't feel exploited because they are reaping benefits equal to what they are providing in marketing, otherwise I don't think they would be so actively involved. I think it makes them feel they have a voice, in a time where they feel they are not understood or listened to.