Response to Classmate 5
Tyler Dingess posted Feb 15, 2018 9:55 AM
This page automatically marks posts as read as you scroll.
Adjust automatic marking as read setting
What is your opinion of social media? Does it empower or exploit?
- Social media, like a lot of things in life, is a gray area in my opinion. It can be used for cyberbullying, it encourages us to compare our lives to others, and it exposes a lot of our personal life to the internet. On the other hand, it also allows us to connect like never before with distant friends and relatives. It is also a new channel for consumers to provide feedback and share their ideas. I think being able to share feedback in this way does empower consumers. Many businesses will contact people who leave negative reviews or comments because they understand how much of an impact it can have. Is social media really worth the money?
- Social media is worth the investment. The majority of adults in the United States are now social media users, but as the video shows teens are also hugely influential.
What does it mean to like someone’s post?
- “Liking” a post is communicating that I identity with, relate with, or enjoy the content of their post. I understand that data is being collected about everything I do online, including what I “like.” I do not mind that this data is being collected.
Does knowing others “like” what you “like” influence you?
- I do not notice what my friends “like” most of the time unless it is something that I have already “liked” myself. I have had friends invite me to different pages and groups that they think I might also want to join. I am not a big social media user and I rarely post anything. I am currently on a social media hiatus while I work/do homework/study for the LSAT. I still instinctively grab my phone as soon as I wake up to check for updates from my friends.
How do companies use social media to advertise? - I think we have all seen ads for products as soon as we search for them on Google or Amazon. When I see these types of ads on Facebook I am immediately turned off by them. It does not encourage me to make the purchase and I would never actually click on of them even if I decided I wanted to buy it. I think this is the case with many people. I think the most successful way to advertise with social media is to engage with consumers. This can be done by posting promotions for new products, responding in the comments section, and making helpful suggestions. Building this connection can encourage consumers to share the product or encourage others to “like” it. This can all be successful if done correctly. The video used the example of The Hunger Games promotion website. The site encourages people to "like" and share posts on social media in exchange for "sparks" on their site. Is social media empowering or exploiting teens?
- I think that social media has empowered teens to lead and create trends. Before social media, most of our trends were started by people in the public eye (celebrities). Now teens on YouTube, Instagram, and Snapchat all have that same ability to shape our culture. I think the idea of this as exploitation is a little exaggerated. Asking for “likes” and “shares” is just a new way to participate in a conversation with brands we like.
Do kids think they are being used? Do they care?
- I do not think many kids realize that they are targets of marketing, and the ones who do realize most likely do not care. Most people on social media are being used to share a marketing message or promote products. One example is that restaurants take a lot of care with food platting/presentation in hopes that people will share it on social media. Some restaurants purposefully design novelty foods for this same reason. One example from 2017 is “unicorn” food. As active and willing participants in social media I do not believe they are being used.
Reply to Thread