The Importance Of Social Media

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Position The “true” self cannot be realized through social media, nor is it an illusion. The actions of an individual performed through the communicative use of social media does not accurately depict the nature of the self because of internal and external limitations. Definitions To properly assess and support the opposition that social media does not influence the self, it is important to develop a basic definition to the following key terms. Social media is an umbrella term that defines the various activities that integrate technology, social interaction, and the construction of words, pictures, videos and audio (Kagan 2008). It includes the collective of online communications channels dedicated to community-based input, content-sharing and collaboration (Wigmore 2012). Simply put, it is stated that social media as a whole is having conversations with people online. These conversations entail the use of: ⁃ Blogs, Micro-blogs (Over 200 million blogs currently active.) ⁃ Online Chat (Have now become integrated with social networks and messaging boards.) ⁃ RSS, Widgets (39% of online users subscribe to a feed.) ⁃ Social Networks, Social Bookmarks (57% of users have joined a social network.) ⁃ Message boards, forums ⁃ Podcasts (iTunes introduces the ability to upload original content). ⁃ Video Sharing Sites (Includes over 65 thousand videos posted on a daily basis.) ⁃ Photo Sharing Sites (55% of individuals have uploaded photos onto a website.) ⁃ Virtual Worlds (Platforms such as Second Life feature over 1.5 million residents.) ⁃ Wikis' (There are currently almost 4 million articles on the web.) The use of social media has become a fundamental element in the way we communicate and is only further developing w... ... middle of paper ... ...pt as it states that one retains their true self rather than the concept of self being in-cohesive; which is false. It is impossible to have an unchanging core substances and have the same consistent identity through all stages in our lives. This supporting evidence for the invalidness of this argument lies in the previous concepts explanation. Conclusion “To find yourself, think for yourself.” - Socrates. One may go a lifetime without being able to fully realize their true self. This is why several social communities steer from the influence of technology and focus on finding their ideal self with the use spiritual rituals. (eg. Buddhism communities use the art of meditation to find self). Social media is an effective tool which advances the cognitive development of individuals, however, it cannot assume responsible for one's sole realization of their true self.

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