I ask myself how many times a day I check some source of social media... And, I really cannot even make a prediction. I check it when I am bored, when I am sick of doing whatever I am currently doing, when I wake up, and when I go to bed. I check it when I am waiting to be seated at a restaurant and when I am sitting at a stop light.
The funny part about me checking the latest Twitter feed is it is habitual, and I do not even get some great enjoyment out of doing it. I check Instagram because I feel the need to know what my neighbor is eating for lunch. Twitter is a must because without it, god forbid, I would not know if there was something funny said at some girl's dinner table.
Steven Goldstein, in his article "Stop Checking Social Media and Read This Article," treats the relationship between social media and us as an addiction. He makes the claim that it "uncontrollable," and we all just think it is normal, not seeing that it is a "problem."
Goldstein then asked some PR professionals how many times a day they checked some form of social media. Answers spanned from "religiously" to "obscenely often." In other words, PR professionals are always linked to a social media site, even just having an open window.
Now, while I may not be a big fan of social media because it takes so much time, I definitely struggle to say no to it.
I just love knowing what some girl from high school got on her economics test.
Even before celebrities starting making their way down the Red Carpet at the Academy Awards, it looked as if Wolf of Wall Street was going to be this year's Best Picture. This movie, revolving around sex, cocaine, and money, had social media buzzing for the six weeks prior to the Academy Awards. As soon as the commission announced the nominees, it looked like there was no competition. The social fan count for Wolf on Wall Street jumped to 967,035 people. This number is factored by looking at activity of the movie title on Facebook and Twitter.
The nominations for Best Picture included: - American Hustle - Nebraska - Captain Phillips - Philomena - Dallas Buyers Club - 12 Years a Slave - Gravity - Wolf of Wall Street - Her
Of these 9 movies, I have only heard of 5 of them: American Hustle, Captain Phillips, Wolf of Wall Street, Her, and Gravity. While I only paid money to see 3 of these 5, I at least knew their plot lines and their main actors. Why is this? Social media and advertising. I am either extremely blind or these other movies did not advertise. So, as a result Wolf of Wall Street took the social media world, with Gravity coming in second with a fan count of 565,931. It is also important to show the number count of last year's Best PIcture, Argo, with a count of 205,138.
Just looking at these numbers, there is little to no question Wolf of Wall Street would be announced this past Sunday as 2014's Best Picture. Well, this was not the case. Brad Pitt's 12 Years a Slave was announced, and everyone smiled and clapped, even though there was a clear shock amongst the crowd. (But really, go watch YouTube videos of people's reactions.)
So, what is the point? You could have 1 million followers, and you may still not be the greatest baton twirler out there. Be good at what you are aiming to be good at. Spend time practicing, not following random people on Twitter.
To read more about the social fan count of Wolf of Wall Street: http://nypost.com/2014/02/27/wolf-of-wall-street-wins-social-media/
About four or five times a year I go visit my grandparent's house in Nathrop, Colorado which is about 2.5 hours southwest of Denver. Anyone that goes outside of the main tourist cities, like Steamboat Spring, Vail, Breckenridge, would know that cell phone service STINKS. As I got older, the first few days in Nathrop were always terrible. I just wanted to talk to my friends from home, check what everyone was doing via Twitter, or reading my email to make sure I was not missing something important. Every horseback ride (yes, we had horses) I frantically search for my phone in my pocket to take a picture, realizing rather quickly that it was locked up for two-ish weeks.
By the third day, however, it is wonderful. I take my good camera out on the trails for pictures, I have realized that what is around me is much better than what my friends at home are waking up to. I start having really good conversations with long time friends and family. I swear, even my food tastes better. Don't get me wrong, there are moments that I get antsy and want to text my friend/boyfriend/anyone for that matter. But, I realize how content and peaceful I am with nothing but the people and environment around me. I promise I am not the only one that feels this way.
A study was completed back in 2012 doing exactly what I do a few times a year. 56 individuals were sent out to "outdoorsy" states like Colorado, Maine, Washington, and Alaska with none of their beloved technology. All were tested on their problem solving and creativity skills throughout the trip. As the week progressed, their responses became more impressive. Researchers don't quite have an answer for why this occurred, but they think it is safe to assume that the environment they were in mixed with the lack of technology had a role. It is also said that creativity leads to happiness.
So, while I was not a participant in this exact study, I am giving the study some credit and saying that I agree. Totally and completely.
NOTE: Here is the study for further reading - http://greatist.com/happiness/news-hiking-boost-creativity-121412
The first time I ever saw this commercial, I laughed because with each situation that is presented, I have seen it or been a part of it. I constantly find myself sitting on the couch with my friends or family, looking up to find each person looking down with eyes glued on their iPhones. It seems that each time I go to a restaurant, I see that one couple in a conversation with only their phones, not each other. Sitting in airports, waiting for class to begin, and laying out at the pool are some of the places where you see the majority of people with eyes only on their phones. I HATE IT.
I absolutely hate my phone. Yes, it is a pretty iPhone 5, and it is convenient for when I need to send a last minute email or when I need to know if something important is going on around me. However, I get bored so easily from it. If you have something important enough to talk to me about (that will take more than 4 text messages, that will require a literal conversation on Twitter, or requires a Facebook message), call me. If we aren't good enough friends to talk on the phone, I probably will not get back to you until I sit down at my computer to check every piece of social media or I AM REALLY INCREDIBLY BORED.
Here is the hard part: I need to get my act together and start liking my phone, while knowing how to balance my need to actually have conversations and be aware of what's going on into the world. I never thought that my lack of using social media on my phone would come back to hurt me. But, it does. Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest can provide me with a world of knowledge, both useful for my career and useful for my everyday life. However, I do not want to fall into a trap where I become one of these people in the commercial that needs a cone wrapped around my neck to see the world.
P.S - I wonder which Coca-Cola advocate said "Let's bash on social media, today." Another reason I absolutely love Coke.
A recent study was released that claimed social media is causing average grade point averages of college students to drop. Even more specifically, the study claims women's grades are more likely to fall because of social media use. As a female college student, I feel that I can give my input to these "findings."
While I do agree that us college students can be seen on their phones constantly...while walking to class, under the desks in class, or sitting at dinner tables at restaurants, I believe the complete opposite.
1. I believe that male college students are much more likely to let their grades become affected by social media use than females. Boys tend to have less of a desire to pay complete and total attention to lectures by teachers, so they spend time on their phones. They can almost always be seen on ESPN.com during football season, and their spring semester is spent on YouTube. Girls, in my opinion, feel more of an obligation to their teacher to at least pretend they are paying attention.
2. Social media sites have given us the opportunity to answer our confusions and questions almost instantaneously. When a Calculus problem it too confusing, a simple Google search can give step by step instructions on how to complete it. If there is a confusion while studying for a test, a Facebook message can allow you to ask classmates. In several of my classes, my professors allow the students to have access to their phones for examples and teaching-methods the professor may have.
Although I think we get distracted incredibly easy by everything that is around us and how fast our society is moving, I think social media sites can provide some great educational benefits.
For more information on this study: http://psychcentral.com/news/2013/04/12/social-media-use-may-harm-grades-of-college-freshman/53711.html
For as long as I can remember, our generation has had to deal with bullying via social media. Whether it be snarky responses on Twitter or private messages on Facebook, cyberbullying is steadily increasing in its impact.
Cyberbullying: the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. (Merriam-Webster)
Although social media can provide countless benefits in the professional and social world, it can cause enough harm to result in the loss of a life. Charlotte Dawson, an Australian entertainment star, was found dead this past Saturday. Why you may ask? Dawson suffered from severe depression for quite some time, with cyberbullying being a major factor.
In 2012, Dawson had more than 53,000 Twitter followers. Occasionally, Dawson would receive a threatening direct message via Twitter, where should would re-tweet the message. She was hoping to expose behavior that was thought by the messengers to be confidential. Although she began playing a role in anti-bullying campaigns, her depression continued. This depression has been suspected to cause her to commit suicide Saturday morning.
Charlotte Dawson is one of the many individuals that have turned to suicide because of the mistreatment of others through sites such as, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
Even though there is a major campaign against cyberbullying and its effects, it is SO hard to find an answer. With technology changing everyday, it seems, it is going to take more than just increases awareness to end cyberbullying. I wish I was able to come up with the lightbulb idea that would end this, but I have realized I am clearly too naive. In my mind, I just would hope that the respect and decency would click with individuals, and it would end. But, I can see now that it is not that easy.
Any ideas?
NOTE: Click here for more information on the passing of Charlotte Dawson http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-02-23/charlotte-dawson-death-puts-focus-on-cyber-bullying/5277904