sociology

                                       Social media

Data

1. How many (what percent) Americans use Facebook/Twitter or some social platform?
    
2. How much revenue is generated annually through these platforms?
    

Applying the perspectives

Symbolic Interactionism, Functionalism and Conflict Theory offer differing perspectives on social media usage. Use the questions below to apply each perspective to this phenomenon.

Symbolic Interactionism-

1. How do people communicate meanings without words on social media? How do people control their presentation of self through curating what they post?
    

  2. How has the meaning of social media changed, with regards to 1. ) Platforms, 2.)  Over time and 3.) across cultures? What are some specific examples?

3.) How is social media posting and usage different for teens, young adults, middle-aged people and the elderly?

Functionalism-

1. How does social media benefit relationships? How can it be dysfunctional?
    

    2. How does social media benefit the economy?

Conflict Theory - 

1. What are some ways people are stratified, meaning organized in and ranked in a hierarchy? How does this result in perpetuation of different wealth power and prestige?
    

  2. How does a person gain power and a mass following? How do they become a dominant voice in social media?