Social networks have become the dominant method of communication nowadays. Not only has it taken over the cell phones and computers of teenagers, but also reached out to control the daily life of politicians, celebrities, athletes, and governments. One social network that is considered to be the dominant of the 21st century is Twitter. Twitter is a social network that offers subscribers the ability to share pictures and text within the boundaries of 140 characters. Since the establishment of Twitter in 2006, it has grown to become the first destination for individuals to entertain, communicate, socialize, and keep up with global breaking news. Also, in the economic field, Twitter is one of the best marketing tools used to advertise brands and merchandise. Today, It is almost impossible to find a global brand that does not have a Twitter account. However, the views towards Twitter are still divergent. Despite all of the positive factors that Twitter has brought into the technological world, there are still negative opinions about the network that tend to denigrate its use. People who are anti-Twitter claim that the network is a place of bullying, racism and pornography and it is a place where any individual can commit a verbal abuse crime under an anonymous username and get away with it. Although these claims are in someway true, we must not point the fingers of blame towards the network. Any social network is inly as good or as bad as the individual who is using it behind the screen.
Twitter has redefined the definition of economy, communication, and politics. In the political arena twitter grants voters an easy and direct reach to their representative. During elections, candidates communicate and present their agendas directly to the electors using Twitter. For example, President Obama is an active Twitter user since before the presidential elections in 2008. He used his Twitter account along with other social media networks to promote legislations and support for his policies. (Hill 4). President @BarackObama also used his account to respond to the publics questioning in various issues such as the economy and employment. Also, The White House account @WhiteHouse launched a hash tag called #AskObama which gave the public an opportunity to ask the president any question they had and he will reply in a video. (Hill 31). Other examples of the role that Twitter plays in politics are the Iranian presidential elections and the Egyptian revolution. Christian Christensen believes that Social networks have proven themselves to be a powerful tool that expresses the thoughts of millions. He states that “Twitter along with other social networks shown how the use of social media by antigovernment activists, combined with access to highly sophisticated monitoring hardware and software on the part of the Iranian authorities, served to rationalize processes of state surveillance and repression.” (155)
In the economic field Twitter plays a significant role in the success of any business. Both large and small investments are spending a lot financial resources on social media. Communication is an essential tool in the development any investment and that’s why global brands and businesses use Twitter as a way to communicate with consumers and advertise their trade to the largest amount of people. It is also used to get some ideas to develop their business and agenda. For example, according to Marius Bulearca and Suzana Bulearca in their article Twitter: A Viable Marketing Tool For SMEs? “…Companies like Dell reporting to have gained £1.9million from sales and cost savings via Twitter.” (296-309)
Opposing points of view claim that Twitters cons are more severe than its pros. Those accusations are based a minority of misbehaved individuals who represent themselves and not the social network. Misusing Twitter, by some, in bullying, racism, spreading rumors, and pornography gave the impression that Twitter is not a safe environment to be in. From personal experience, my father was one out of many parents that opposed the use of Twitter in our house. He made his judgment on the social network based on what he has heard from other parents in our block and in my school. After I explained the whole idea of the network and the multiple uses of it, my father gave Twitter a chance and subscribed to it. At first he was lost and rejected the Idea but after nearly a year, my father became a tweetaholic. After retiring and starting his own business buying and selling boats and jet-skis he transformed his account into a business account and he now has more followers than I will ever dream of having.
Twitter is a double-edged tool that can be harmful if it was put in the wrong hands, but it can turn into a useful and effective one when it is used properly. It is as good or as bad as the person using it. Twitter has simply drafted a new meaning for economy, politics, and communication. It is globalizing the whole world. Tremendous things happened with the help of Twitter such as the Arab spring in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Yemen, and currently Syria. Social networking is taking over the world, but we as individual users determine whether it is in a positive or negative way. They are consuming most of our time; therefore using it in a positive way will enhance the whole concept of social media. Technology was created to make the world a better place for us human beings to live in. It is between our hands to make the best of it. That is why we should all use it wisely and carefully to benefit from it as much as possible.
References
1- (Hill, Kashmir. "Obama Understands The Power Of The Meme." Forbes.Com (2012): 4. Business Source Premier. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.)
2- (Hill, Kashmir. "President Obama Takes To Twitter: #Askobama." Forbes.Com (2011): 31. Business Source Premier. Web. 5 Mar. 2014.)
3- (Christensen, Christian. "Twitter Revolutions? Addressing Social Media And Dissent." Communication Review 14.3 (2011): 155-157. Business Source Premier. Web. 6 Mar. 2014.)
4- (Bulearca, Marius, and Suzana Bulearca. "Twitter: A Viable Marketing Tool for SMEs?" Global Business & Management Research, 2.4 (2010): 296-309.)
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