Kohat University of Science & Technology

Institute of Computing

Subject : Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Topic: Social Media

5th Week Instructor: Abdur Rehman

Q: What is Social Media? What are its different types and their applications?

Ans:

Media refers to digital platforms and technologies that enable users to create, share, and interact with
content and each other online. These platforms are primarily used for communication, networking,
content sharing, entertainment, marketing, and collaboration.

Types of Social Media and Their Applications

1. Social Networking Sites

 Examples: Facebook, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter)

 Applications:

o Personal and professional networking

o Sharing status updates, news, opinions

o Job searching (LinkedIn)

o Building brand presence and community

2. Media Sharing Networks

 Examples: Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok

 Applications:

o Sharing photos, videos, and stories

o Influencer marketing

o Product promotions and tutorials

o Entertainment and education

3. Messaging and Communication Platforms

 Examples: WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram, Discord

o Real-time messaging (individual and group)

o Customer support and community building

o Secure and fast communication

4. Blogging and Publishing Platforms

 Examples: WordPress, Medium, Tumblr

 Applications:

o Content marketing

o Personal and professional blogging

o Sharing in-depth articles and thought leadership

5. Forums and Discussion Boards

 Examples: Reddit, Quora, Stack Overflow

 Applications:

o Q&A communities

o Knowledge sharing

o Crowdsourced advice and solutions

6. Review and Rating Sites

 Examples: Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google Reviews

 Applications:

o Business reputation management

o Customer feedback

o Decision support for other users

7. Social Bookmarking and Content Curation Sites

 Examples: Pinterest, Pocket, Flipboard

 Applications:

o Discovering and saving content

o Visual inspiration (design, fashion, DIY)

o Sharing curated content

8. Collaborative Platforms

 Examples: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Notion (with social features)

o Team communication

o Project management

o Collaboration on documents and tasks

Applications of Social Media in Various Fields

 Business: Marketing, customer engagement, brand awareness, lead generation

 Education: Online learning communities, student-teacher interaction, knowledge sharing

 Politics: Campaigning, public opinion shaping, political activism

 Healthcare: Awareness campaigns, patient education, support communities

 Entertainment: Promotion of movies/music, celebrity engagement, fan communities

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Q: What are pros and cons of using social media currently?

Ans:
✅ Pros of Social Media

1. Instant Communication

 Connect with anyone worldwide in real-time.

 Enables group chats, video calls, and voice messages.

2. Information and Awareness

 Quick access to global news, trends, and educational content.

 Useful for raising awareness on social, political, and health issues.

3. Networking and Collaboration

 Build personal and professional connections (e.g., LinkedIn).

 Collaborate across borders in business, research, or creative projects.

4. Marketing and Business Growth

 Low-cost or free promotion of products/services.

 Targeted advertising and audience analytics.

 Influencer marketing and brand visibility.

 Access to endless content: videos, memes, music, art, etc.

 Platforms for showcasing talents and creativity (e.g., YouTube, TikTok).

6. Community Building

 Connect with like-minded people via groups, forums, and hashtags.

 Support communities for mental health, hobbies, parenting, etc.

❌ Cons of Social Media

1. Addiction and Time Wasting

 Excessive use can reduce productivity and affect real-life relationships.

 “Doomscrolling” or endlessly consuming negative content.

2. Mental Health Issues

 Can cause anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem due to comparison culture.

 Fear of missing out (FOMO) and online validation pressure.

3. Misinformation and Fake News

 Fast spread of unverified or false content.

 Difficult to distinguish credible sources.

4. Privacy and Data Concerns

 User data often collected and sold to advertisers.

 Risk of identity theft, scams, and surveillance.

5. Cyberbullying and Harassment

 Anonymity enables online abuse, trolling, and hate speech.

 Affects both individuals and public figures.

6. Echo Chambers and Polarization

 Algorithms show similar content repeatedly, limiting exposure to diverse views.

 Can reinforce bias and lead to social or political division.

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Q. What are general guidelines one should take care of while using social media ?
Ans:

Here are some general guidelines to follow for safe, responsible, and effective use of social media:

🔐 1. Protect Your Privacy

 Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.

 Adjust privacy settings on each platform to control who sees your content.

 Avoid oversharing sensitive information (e.g., address, phone number, financial details).

💬 2. Think Before You Post

 Ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?

 Avoid posting content when angry or emotional.

 Remember: What you post stays online — even if you delete it.

🤝 3. Be Respectful and Ethical

 Treat others with respect; avoid hate speech, bullying, or trolling.

 Give credit to original creators when sharing or reposting.

 Don’t spread fake news, rumors, or harmful content.

🧠 4. Limit Screen Time

 Set time boundaries to avoid addiction and protect mental health.

 Use app timers or “do not disturb” modes when needed.

🧩 5. Verify Information

 Cross-check news or claims with reliable sources before sharing.

 Look for signs of misinformation: clickbait headlines, unknown sources, poor grammar.

📢 6. Use Social Media for Growth

 Follow pages or communities that inspire learning, skill development, or positivity.

 Build a professional presence (especially on platforms like LinkedIn).

 Promote good causes, volunteer work, or community efforts.

 Educate children about online safety and responsible behavior.

 Use parental controls and monitor their activity without invading privacy.

⚖️8. Stay Within Legal and Ethical Boundaries

 Do not post copyrighted material without permission.

 Follow platform rules and local laws (e.g., regarding hate speech, threats, or harassment).

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