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Module 10 THE INFORMATION AGE Platforms offer diverse ways to share content, such as text
posts, appealing images, engaging videos, or informative
articles. Sharing experiences, news, or creativity helps
LESSON PROPER users express themselves, build their online presence, and
spark conversations.
Social Media Networking and Interaction- Building Your Social
Circle. Social media platforms are designed to foster
Social media has transformed how we interact, share, and connections. You can follow friends, family, influencers, or
consume content globally over the years. According to Statista, brands that interest you. Likewise, others can follow you,
there were approximately 5.04 billion social media creating a network of connections. Stay updated on loved
users worldwide in 2023, translating to over 62.3% of the global ones, discover content based on your interests, and
population. Social media’s history reflects technological engage in discussions with like-minded individuals.
advancements and evolving societal needs despite today’s Direct Messaging: Private Conversations in a Public
platforms enabling instant moment sharing. Space. This feature empowers private communication
between users. Direct messages, often shortened to DMs,
Social Media refers to online platforms and technologies allow for one-on-one conversations, group chats, or
that enable users to create, share, and engage with content. It sharing media privately. This fosters deeper connections,
fosters communication and interaction through text, images, facilitates collaboration, and enables communication
videos, and audio, often leading to the formation of virtual beyond public posts.
communities. Likes and Comments: The Currency of Engagement.
These features are the cornerstones of interaction on
social media. ”Liking” shows approval, while comments
The Building Blocks of Social Media: How We Connect and
share thoughts, sparking conversations and fostering
Engage
community. The number of likes and comments serves as
a metric of engagement, indicating how well a piece of
Social media platforms thrive on the dynamic interplay
content resonates with the audience.
between users and the features they offer.
User Profiles. These act as your online identity, The History of Social Media
showcasing who you are or what your organization
represents. Profiles typically include basic information such The history of social media is rooted in early Internet
as name, location, bio, profile pictures, cover photos, and communication forms, such as bulletin boards and forums.
links to relevant websites. They can be customized to Essentially, the social media story is a fascinating journey that
project a professional persona, a creative outlet, or simply traces the evolution of human connection in the digital age.
a space to connect with friends and family.
Content Creation and Sharing- The Lifeblood of Social Key eras and turning points of Social Media
Media. This is where users become active participants.
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1. The Pre-Social Media Era (1970s – Early 2000s) 2003, LinkedIn emerged as the first major
1971 The Dawn of Email. Ray Tomlinson’s invention of professional networking platform. These platforms
email marked a giant leapin digital communication. It showcased the potential of social media to connect
allowed people to send messages across long people for specific purposes.
distances, fostering a sense of connection even in a
pre-internet world.
1978 Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) Emerge. Ward
Christensen and Randy Suess created the first BBS,
which functioned like a digital community bulletin
board. Users could post messages on specific topics,
share files, and engage in text-based conversations.
This was a glimpse into the online communities that
would later flourish.
1980s The Rise of Text-Based Communication. The
advent of Usenet, a network of newsgroups, and
Internet Relay Chat (IRC) further fueled online
interaction. Usenet offered topic-based forums, while
IRC provided real-time chat rooms for users with
similar interests to connect.
LinkedIn in 2004
2004 Facebook – A Game Changer. Mark
These platforms fostered a sense of belonging and laid the
Zuckerberg’s Facebook revolutionized social networking.
groundwork for interactive online spaces.
Facebook’s user-friendly interface lets users share updates,
photos, and messages and connect with a broader network.
2. The Early Social Media Era (the 2000s – 2010s) Its rise marked a turning point in online interaction.
1997 Six Degrees – The First Social Network. Six
Degrees, launched by Andrew Weinreich, is often
considered the first true social networking site. Users
could create profiles, connect with friends, and even
see their “degrees of separation” from others. While it
eventually faded, Six Degrees paved the way for
future platforms.
2002-2004 The Rise of Friendster and LinkedIn.
Launched in 2002, Friendster connected friends of
friends, creating a dynamic online social circle. In
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Facebook in 2004 YouTube in 2005
3. The Modern Social Media Era (2010s – Present)
2010: The Power of Images – Instagram. The launch of
2005 – 2006: The Age of Video and Microblogging. In Instagram by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger ushered in
2005, YouTube revolutionized visual content consumption the era of photo sharing. The platform’s focus on visual
and creation as a video-sharing platform. In 2006, Jack storytelling and easy-to-use filters transformed how people
Dorsey introduced Twitter, a microblogging platform for documented and shared their lives online.
concise, rapid information sharing with a 140-character limit
(later increased).
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Instagram in 2010 Snapchat in 2011
2012 – 2016: Short-Form Video Takes Center Stage. Vine
2011: Disappearing Messages – Snapchat. In 2011, Evan (2012), with 6-second looping videos, and TikTok (2016),
Spiegel introduced Snapchat, which focused on ephemeral focused on short-form creative content, reshaping online
messages that disappear after a set time. This focus on entertainment consumption.
fleeting moments and a more private sharing experience
resonated with a new generation of users.
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2020s: The Age of AI and Algorithms. Today, AI and
advanced algorithms are integral parts of social media
platforms.AI personalizes content recommendations, tailors
advertising experiences, and even moderates content. This
raises questions about privacy, control, and the potential
biases inherent in algorithms. One of the most recent
additions is the Meta AI. Its AI engine powers features like
chatbots and content recommendations across social media
apps. It personalizes feeds, translates languages, and
streamlines communication, all to make social connections
smoother.
Vine in 2012
2015: The Birth of Discord. This decade saw the rise of
Discord, a platform originally conceived for gamers. Jason
Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy created Discord for online
gaming, focusing on clear voice chat and community
building ease. Discord’s popularity extended beyond Meta AI homepage
gaming, appealing to users for its blend of text chat, voice
channels, and screen-sharing. 4. 2023: The Rise of Threads. Twitter introduced “Threads,”
letting users string tweets together for cohesive narratives,
innovating social media storytelling. This fostered long-form
storytelling and in-depth discussions within the platform’s
traditionally character-limited format.
Discord in 2015
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The Continued Rise of AI. AI will increasingly personalize
feeds, combat misinformation, and create original content in
the future of social media.
The Decentralization Movement. Blockchain platforms
may disrupt social media giants, offering users more data
control and innovative user experiences.
The Focus on Privacy. Privacy concerns may drive stricter
regulations and user-centric features empowering individuals
to manage their online presence securely.
Threads Login Page The Short-Form Video Boom. TikTok and YouTube are
adapting to the popularity of short-form videos, with features
The Twitter Transformation (X). In 2022, Elon Musk’s like YouTube Shorts gaining traction.
acquisition of Twitter sparked a major change. Twitter The Rise of Audio Social Media. Platforms focused on
was rebranded as “X,” signifying a shift towards an audio-based interaction, like Clubhouse, might gain traction,
“everything app” vision. This included integrating features offering a more intimate and interactive experience.
like payments, messaging functionalities beyond tweets, and
potentially even video and music streaming. The platform 5. Benefits and Drawbacks of Social Media
also saw a significant overhaul in content moderation
policies, with Musk advocating for a more “free speech” Benefits:
Connectivity on Steroids. Gone are the days of pen pals
approach, which generated controversy.
and snail mail. Social media allows instant messaging, video
calls, and smooth communication across continents. We can
reconnect with long-lost friends, stay in touch with family
abroad, and build new relationships that transcend
geographical boundaries.
Information at Your Fingertips. Social media platforms
have become gateways to a vast ocean of information.
Breaking news, educational resources, and niche tutorials
are readily available. With just a few clicks, you can follow
industry experts, learn new skills, and stay informed about
Twitter (X) Login Page current events.
Empowering Brands and Individuals. Social media has
2020s and beyond. As we move past the early 2020s, here democratized brand building. Businesses of all sizes can
are some additional trends to watch: establish an online presence, connect with target audiences,
and promote their products or services. Individuals can
leverage social media to build personal brands, showcase
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their talents, and connect with potential employers or The Power of Social Media for Good: Social media isn’t inherently
collaborators. negative.
Fueling Social Movements. Social media has become a It has demonstrably played a positive role in various situations:
powerful tool for social change.#MeToo and
#BlackLivesMatter gained momentum on social media, 1. Disaster Response. During crises like the 2010 Haiti
raising awareness, fostering solidarity, and mobilizing earthquake, social media facilitated communication,
supporters globally. coordinated rescue efforts, and disseminated vital real-time
information.
Drawbacks: 2. Health Information Dissemination. During COVID-19,
1. The Misinformation Minefield. The ease of sharing social media was crucial for sharing health information,
information on social media can be a double-edged sword. promoting measures, dispelling misinformation, and aiding
False news and misleading content can spread like wildfire, public awareness efforts.
making it difficult to discern fact from fiction. This can have 3. Fundraising for a Cause. Platforms like GoFundMe have
serious consequences, from influencing elections to revolutionized fundraising. Social media allows individuals
eroding trust in credible sources. in need to connect with a global audience and raise funds
2. Privacy Under Scrutiny. Sharing personal information for medical expenses, disaster relief, and various other
online comes with inherent risks. Data breaches, causes.
unauthorized data collection, and targeted advertising raise 4. Building Online Communities. Social media fosters
concerns about privacy and online security. Users must be inclusivity by providing safe spaces for marginalized
vigilant about what information they share and understand voices. Facebook groups, Reddit forums, and Twitter
how it might be used. communities connect people with shared interests,
3. Mental Health—A Fragile Balance. Social media can experiences, and identities, supporting, belonging, and
cultivate feelings of inadequacy and social comparison. promoting change.
The curated highlight reels of others can distort reality,
leading to anxiety, depression, and isolation. Setting
healthy boundaries and focusing on real-life connections is
crucial. Information Technology
4. Echo Chambers and Confirmation Bias. Personalized
content algorithms can create echo chambers, reinforcing Information technology (IT) is entailing the study and application
users’ existing beliefs with selective information exposure. of computers and any type of telecommunications that
This can lead to polarization, hinder critical thinking, and store, study, retrieve, transmit, manipulate data and send
make it difficult to engage in constructive dialogue with information. Information technology is involving a
opposing viewpoints. combination of hardware and software that is used to
perform the significant tasks that people need and use on
an everyday basis.
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Importance of Information Technology in Today’s World 4. Business
Go to any business establishment, and you’ll certainly find
Here are a few robust points that are emphasizing just the them using managed IT services. Businesses are depending
importance of information technology in the modern world. so much on IT systems for keeping things running smoothly.
1. Increasing Productivity and Efficiency Departments from manufacturing to human resources are
Sometimes, you might find yourself complaining about how using information technology in their everyday operations.
slow your internet is and how long your search results load. The business sector is among the most that leverage
However, if you are looking back to the advent of IT, people information technology. Among the importance of information
were searching for hours in a library for finding a book that technology include:
contains just the information they need. Providing technical support for customers and business
Now, it is only taking a few seconds minutes if your internet is operations
slow. We are now observing a tolerance to speed and Solving complex business concerns with advanced
efficiency. That too when the fastest search is not fast enough. hardware and up-to-date software applications
This is only one instance of how information technology speeds Enabling decision-making easier through data-driven data
things up for us. Thus, increasing our productivity and extracted from the latest tools
efficiency. Keeping all resources tidied up in one centralized place
2. Faster Communication Providing maximum security for cloud data as well as
Another thing that information technology is making remarkable online assets like the website
is communication. Within a few clicks or swipes, you’ve face- Amplifying marketing efforts through the use of digital
to-face connected with your mom from three states away. marketing strategies
It is making communication easily accessible, faster, and Generally, making business operations efficient through the
almost virtually free. Therefore, resulting in better connections collective benefits of the above mentioned
between people and businesses. Also, several businesses 5. Education
hinge on communication made possible with the aid of IT. For With the occurrence of distance learning around the world,
example, call centers and telecommunication companies. especially since 2020, education is now observing how
Connecting with other people for personal or business information technology can be a vital tool for academic
purposes is just a breeze, thanks to information technology. success.
This is one of the major reasons why information technology is Lots of online learning platforms are sharing high-quality
an essential aspect of almost all industries, as further courses for self-development. Students can use knowledge
discussed below. base by Papertyper to improve their college papers. Now, even
universities and colleges are doing the same.
3. Affecting all Work Environments 6. Finance
Almost everything nowadays is operating with the help of Online purchasing, online banking, and even in-house
information technology. Nearly all industries are acknowledging transactions are possible with the help of IT. As a result, all
the importance of information technology. Following are some financial institutions are requiring information technology. In
of the sectors of society that IT is necessary: addition, they are handling a lot of data. Hence, taking care of
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massive amounts of numbers. So, they are requiring the sort of With the growth of information technology, the education
technology that can ensure their data’s safety and accuracy. profession has changed its perspective and embraced a
7. Healthcare more modern method of teaching and learning. Blackboard
Healthcare is evolving from pen-and-paper documentation to teaching is a thing of the past. Teachers and organizations
virtual filing. Patients’ data, treatment protocols, hospital billing, are embracing modern technology to educate their
consultations, and charting are now performed with the students. A computer with an internet connection enables
facilitation of computers. kids to learn new things and understand topics more simply
IT is faster and more reliable than paper files since large and thoroughly.
amounts of data can be stored continuously. For instance, a Information technology also benefits patients. They can
patient can have records from birth until death, which now interact with physicians and seek guidance online.
healthcare providers and relevant personnel can easily take Furthermore, there are numerous virtual healthcare
out and access with a quick search. Therefore, resulting in applications available to provide help. Patients benefit from
much more efficiency than browsing through rusty file cabinets efficient and high-quality healthcare because to electronic
for termite-eaten folders. health records and telemedicine.
8. Security In the technological world, information technology has
With several data stored in technology, it can be disastrous if it eliminated the disadvantages of time and distance in
falls into the wrong hands. However, on the other hand, it is economic processes. Buying and selling has become far
helping to secure all of the data that a person or a company too simple. Customers can buy online from both local and
has through encryption and passwords. foreign providers.
Advantages of Information Technology News broadcasting has gotten more easier because to
Information technology has significantly altered our lives. wireless communication means. It only takes a few
You’re only one click away from everything. So, here is a seconds to find out the latest news from anywhere in the
summary of the benefits of information technology in our life. world.
Additionally, information technology is required in all fields. The use of the internet on mobile phones, tablets, laptops,
With advancements in information technology, one may iPods, and other devices has provided us with limitless
now access the company’s system from anywhere. It is not access to entertainment mediums. Over-the-top (OTT)
necessary for the authority to remain in the office only. platforms allow users to watch films or listen to new songs.
They can also submit their work from home. The ease of People can communicate more cheaply, easily, and quickly
access to the system has undoubtedly enhanced than ever before because to information technology.
productivity even when the worker is not physically present Texting, video calling, and emailing have become
in the workplace. extremely simple in recent years. There are numerous
There is a high demand for IT specialists across multiple apps available online that provide these services.
areas. The demand creates a tremendous opportunity for We saw and comprehended the significance of
IT experts to study the field and demonstrate their abilities. globalization through the use of information technology.
IT professionals can work in computer programming, Today, the world is on one platform, with no physical
system analysis, testing, software and hardware barriers separating nations. People are increasingly
development, web application design, and other areas. considered ‘global’ citizens.
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References:
History of Social Media: Tracing the Evolution from the Beginning
to Now – Social Champ. (2024, July
12). https://www.socialchamp.io/blog/history-of-social-
media/
