The podcast conversation was informative and engaging, making the whole discussion very interesting. It brought out the perspectives and the different understanding on the influence and ability of social media. There is a flow in communication because both the interviewer and interviewee were not answering any specific questions. The view that people like celebrities who have a larger audience have a significant influence on these platforms, for example, where the movement of ‘black lives matter’ portrays social media as a tool for revolution. Images posted on particular occurrences bring awareness and information to all without bias. The social platforms are neutrally informing everyone because it creates a platform where everyone is engaged and addressed.
Social media is a tool that can educate the specific targets on particular aspects of interest. For example, companies may use their platforms to understand the need to reach out to vulnerable groups of people during disasters and pandemics. They can do this by making reaching outs and donating and posting those particular people’s situations and needs. The donations make people understand the dire need of such cases and make them want to do the same. The companies can also post this, encouraging people to join them and be part of a particular movement. An example is KFC, which has posted on their Instagram handle @kfc that they are giving out a million chicken pieces to the elderly affected negatively by Covid 19. This aspect shows that other than updating, social media serves to educate and engage the targeted audience. Value is created when social media uses such ways to influence the people around them.
When it comes to social media, I am not an active user. I have an Instagram account that is dormant because I rarely post anything, categorizing me as a lurker. The only instances I use my social media accounts are when I am idle and need something to keep me occupied. When I am interested in some details of a particular person, brand, or company, I search them out. The possibility of accessing such information and details indicates that the platform gives value to its users. For platforms like WhatsApp, I use it to connect with friends and share videos and images of particular interests. Social media also makes me aware of what happens around the world and how negatively or positively affects me. People always post trends and emerging issues in their social media pages. Such posting makes it easy information to circulate among people of different geographical locations. The world therefore is aware of everything that happens and can come up with ways of addressing them
In conclusion, social media serves many purposes to its users. It may have both negative and positive implications depending on how people use it. Besides just updating people on particular issues and events, users should aim to use it to add value to the target audience. It is also clear that people with a significant following on social media have great influence and are capable of causing a significant change. Therefore, social media should not be ignored but embraced and used for the development of both individuals, organizations, and the world. It is also easier to transfer information, thoughts, opinions, and perceptions to different classes of people therefore achieving a world of well-informed people.