Social Media’s Effect on Communication
November 17, 2011 by Staff
By Nicole Peterson
Don’t get caught using a flip phone, CD player, or updating your MySpace around campus. In today’s society you are a part of the in-crowd as long as you have a smart phone and an account with a popular social networking site. The avenues to communication have expanded and the majority of communication now takes place online.
Communication has become simplistic and quick, but the big question is: What is social media’s impact on the quality of communication? There are many advantages within the world of social media, but it is also very important to be aware of the sensationalism and superficiality behind many “virtual faces.”
“For better or worse, it has distorted everyone’s view of each other. I can make myself look very well on Facebook by posting positive comments with good pictures. People may think my life is awesome,” says University of Georgia senior John Wilke.
Statistics show more time spent on Facebook could cause people to feel more insecure about their own personal experiences or achievements. People create images they wish to portray on their profile page, but there is more to the person than what is being displayed.
Another craze in the world of social media is Twitter. Millions of tweets are posted and read each day. Some Twitter users have thousands of followers while others only have a few. One common misconception within social networking is overestimating the intimacy of a relationship. Simply because someone is your follower doesn’t mean they are your closest friend.
LinkedIn is a great resource to get in touch with employers or people within a field of interest. This website provides an easy way to share your work history and career goals with colleagues and future employers.
Along with the knowledge of how to take advantage of social media, take into account what you are saying. Will it be more appropriate to send an e-mail to your professor discussing an absence, instead of talking to them face-to-face after class or during their office hours? Or should a guy ask a girl out on a date on a Facebook message, instead of asking her in person? Truth be told, there are times when it is best to approach someone instead of relying on an e-mail or Facebook message.
Filed Under: Commentary, News
Tagged: communication, effect, Facebook, impact, LinkedIn, message, social media, social networking, Twitter
I need more effects of Social Networking on the communication SKILLS. THANK YOU..