In today’s society, the use of social media has become a necessary daily scheme. Social media has become a medium through which people get to know what is happening and what is in vogue amidst other things, and knowing, as soon as possible. The platform plays a very important role in today’s life, as it includes web-based online tools that enable people to discover and learn new information, share ideas, interact with new people and organizations. It has changed the way people live their lives today, making communication much easier.
Just several years ago, many people did not even suspect the possibilities that popular social networks such as Facebook and Twitter can provide in terms of communication.
When looking at the role of social media in today’s society, one has to take note of the value social media has added and how it has impacted society.
As a result of the various means through which social media has been transformed, below are some of the roles of social media in modern society;
Social Media as a means of employment
With the rise in the use of social media, thanks to technology, millions of people worldwide have a means of living. Job titles and descriptions like content creator, social media manager, SEO specialist, social media specialist, community manager, brand ambassador, creative director, digital marketing manager, content strategist, content manager, and many more have been created as means for organizations to have easy access to their customers. Even as individuals, you get to sell yourself on social media. By being a content creator who puts out content via social media be it on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. one gets paid. A growing and now established trend is the more followers you have, the more brands approach you to help advertise their brands and you in turn get paid.
Social media has created a means of employment not just for organizations but for individuals likewise.
A tool for mass communication
Mass media are technologies intended to reach a mass audience. Much more than before social media has become the primary means of communication used to reach the vast majority of the general public. Before the most common platforms for mass media are newspapers, magazines, radio, television, but now social media has taken over via the internet and several marketing apps developed such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, etc. Most viral news, videos, to mention a few, usually get the term viral by how fast they spread on social media. Undoubtedly, social media has become one of the best platforms for mass communication.
A Voice for The Masses
Yes, indeed, social media is a voice for the masses. Considering the democratic system of Government we operate in Nigeria, people have the right and liberty to speak their minds and say it as it is. One major app that has helped fuel this desire in people is Twitter.
If you want the government to hear your voice, if you want a particular societal ill to be stopped or addressed, if you want a culprit to be caught, social media is the perfect microphone to speak with it. Platforms like radio, television do not speak as loud as social media does.
For instance, the #EndSARS protest that eventually and manifested into a physical protest initially started from people speaking out on social media.
The focus of the government was brought to the atrocities been done by SARS officials to Nigerians through social media. The voice created by social media is so loud that even the President and international bodies hear/listen.
A tool for communication
One of the basic roles of social media is communication. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, etc. were initially created to enhance and grow communication amongst people both home and abroad. To date, they still serve this purpose and have only been taken steps further with the addition of various features at different points to make communication easier. Social media has become one of the largest networks in the world by means of which people can share, exchange views, images, and photos even videos.
A means for awareness campaign/promotion
When it comes to raising funds or helping the needy, social media is always a big platform to raise millions of naira for charity. Coming to creating awareness and sensitizing, social media is the tool. Also, promotion on social media has gained a lot of confidence in the world of business and entertainment, people can promote their work and increase the fanbase by sharing information about their events, brands, and themselves.
Through this platform, they can raise funds and monetize their works, entrepreneurs can get information on what the people feel about their products through reviews, and many more.
A marketing tool
Another major role that social media now serves as a result of its modification and advancement is marketing in today’s society. Most celebrities are brand ambassadors of one product or the other and are able to market these products with the help of social media. The popularity and presence a brand has on social media helps their marketing strategy and eventually, the meeting of their target and goals.
Social media has become a medium that is now included in the marketing plan of organizations when coming up with a marketing strategy to plan for their product(s).
Photo Credit: Getty
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