Week 4 Personal Blog

Social media is used by many businesses and companies around the world. Companies and business use social media for various reasons such as to promote their products, solicit new customers and share news stories. “The growing influence of social media is clear from the fact that2.789 Billion people across the globe use social media with a penetration of 37 %, of which 2.549 Billion are active mobile social media users as in Jan 2017 (we are social,2017)” (Pradhan, P., & Kumari, N., 2018). From a branding perspective, many individuals utilize social media as a way to get their name out there and circulating. “In a digital world where information travels instantaneously and continuously, branding (corporate or personal) becomes essential for surviving in the 21st century (Kang, 2013; Olins, 2009) Vitelar, A., 2019). One of the nice things about social media is the diverse audience. Audience members from around the world vary in race, gender, class, and other demographic factors. Personally, I use social media to stay connected and engage with my friends, relatives and peers. I feel like it’s easier to share things like what’s going on in my life and pictures of activities to everyone at once. There are of course those family members and friends who I speak to outside of social media too. Social media is nice because it’s not restricted to certain people using it – anyone can sign up and use it. Platforms such as Facebook are easy to navigate and friendly to use. Communication can differ when using social media for personal use versus professional use. Depending on what the intent is, communication can be changed and catered to whatever way individuals think it will bring in more audience members, clicks and likes. It is important to be careful and mindful of what you’re posting as it can hurt your reputation and because it’s posted, it’s out there for everyone to see and have their opinion about it.

Pradhan, P., & Kumari, N. (2018). A study on Journalistic use of Social Media. Amity Journal of Media & Communications Studies (AJMCS), 8(1), 49–59.

Vitelar, A. (2019). Like Me: Generation Z and the Use of Social Media for Personal Branding. Management Dynamics in the Knowledge Economy, 7(2), 257. https://doi.org/10.25019/MDKE/7.2.07

The use of computer mediated communication through mass media is very high right now. People rely on the internet for current news and when researching information. From a business perspective, many companies are utilizing communication platforms to chat, video-conference, share files and many other functions. “Computer conferences are a form of computer-mediated communication (CMC) system designed to enable dispersed groups to communicate and work together” Hiltz, S. R., Johnson, K., & Turoff, M. (1991). Mobile tools such as being able to download email applications, files that contain videos or pictures, and talk on your phone and conveniences that individuals have due to having a mobile device. Communication is easier and quicker. Many individuals also look to social media to speak their mind or get advice. Mass media is readily available to those who choose to access it. The way people choose to get their news varies depending on preference, but we do live in a time where most everyone carries around a mobile device. Chances are it’s easier to look something up from your mobile device versus going to your local library. Furthermore, news engines update stories as they are happening – one cannot wait for a newspaper or a 5:00pm news segment to come on to receive their information. When I have a search engine or email platform open, chances are there is some sort of news article wanting me to click on it. Sometimes I will depending on the subject and if it sounds intriguing. Social media is usually the first place I see a news story happening. I follow a ton of local news stations and popular celebrity pages, so the news comes almost immediately.

Media that is in print form may be easier to retain because of the way it is being comprehended versus watching a story online. Watching television or listening to the radio doesn’t allow time to take the information in slowly. There may be important facts discussed but if you’re busy processing what was previously said, it may be hard to follow. “In this media environment, the communication behavior itself might be more and more socially influenced (Johnson, 2014): Individuals’ expression of their taste on social media platforms might be adapted to their “imagined audience” (Litt, 2012) and to anticipated norms in order to facilitate impressions and positive interactions (Walther et al., 2010); normative beliefs about what friends watch, read, and like can be formed by observing their displayed media use via social media (Litt & Stock, 2011; Walther et al., 2010); and, at least, computer-mediated communication is social in itself and thus naturally susceptible for group norms regarding its form and content (Postmes, 2000).” The younger generations automatically grew up with mobile devices are more inclined to use their phone as a news source whereas grandparents for instance are more comfortable with watching the news or reading a newspaper. Because mobile devices are heavily used, news stories are consistently updating and appearing on mobile devices. News is coming quicker and easily that ever which is favored by individuals.

Hiltz, S. R., Johnson, K., & Turoff, M. (1991). Group Decision Support: The Effects of Designated Human Leaders and Statistical Feedback in Computerized Conferences. Journal of Management Information Systems, 8(2), 81–108. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.1991.11517922

Social Norms as Communicative Phenomena: A Communications Perspective on the Theory of Normative Social Behavior. (2017). Conference Papers -- International Communication Association, 1–31.

Computer-Mediated Communications Personal Blog

Based on my own experience, I would be lost without computer mediated communication. I use my cell phone, laptop and desktop computer on a daily basis to get things accomplished. My phone is primarily used for personal use. I use it to text, make calls, browse the internet and catch up on the news. My job requires me to have a laptop. I’m able to properly work from home with a laptop and work from other places, as long as I have internet connection. This make it convenient for me and allows me more freedom versus being tied down to working on one specific spot. My desktop computer is used for my online school. I rely on it heavily and use it every day. These are all ways my daily communication is mediated through the use of technology. These forms of communication enhance a sense of community as it creates relationships wherever I go. Each computer mediated communication is used for a reason and ultimately enhances the way I interact. Privacy is challenged by computer mediated communication. Individuals can be vulnerable with their information and have to trust who they want to share their information with. Social media platforms like Facebook for example have you sign up for an account and they hold access to all of your information. Facebook knows what products you’re interested in and when you stop scrolling because certain items catch your attention.

 As we evolve more, computer mediated communication may be leveraged in different ways. We use communication as we see fit and what our preference is. I personally like to text versus having a phone call. It’s the convenience factor of being able to text on my own time and leisure. Like online school - the reason I took the University of Phoenix avenue is because at the time I was a new mom and working full-time. I knew it would be difficult to manage driving to campus, being there for a few hours, then driving back. Whereas online school gave me the flexibility to hop online and learn at my own leisure. Computer-mediated communications has made going to school online possible. Computer mediated communication has affected face-to-face communication because everyone is so driven by technology. Technology has made it easy for people to interact without having to meet in person. This takes away the personal touch and intimate feeling of really knowing a person.