One of the best things that has happened to the human race today
is the impact of modern technology, which can be said to have made life
easy and more comfortable. and one area of note is the internet. The
internet has now made communication more simple; through the internet,
people from around the world can interact for business or pleasure.
The Social Media have become a platform to boost the importance (and
impact) of the internet in our world today. Online social media are now
important avenues of communication which have revolutionized the way we
interact and socialize.
Facebook is an online social media that is at the forefront of
changing the way we interact and socialize, although there are some
others like Twitter, Flickr, LinkedIn and a host of others. But Facebook
seem to lead the pack because of it's global acceptance and reach by
all and sundry. Just mention the name Facebook, and you'd be surprised
by the response you would get from people.
Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckeberg (with some other guys), and
surprisingly, it is less than a decade but has assumed a popularity that
most world-renowned organizations don't have. It's membership based is
put at about a billion (1/7th of the world's population!), and still
growing. The users of this online social media cut across people of
different personalities from virtually every country on earth. Public
figures, private people; young and old. Even organizations (both
non-profit and profit-based) are not left out of the 'Facebook-mania'.
The idea behind Facebook is for people to connect with others and
'share' their lives on a regular basis. Organizations use it as a means
to update clients and the general public on their activities, and allow
them to become their fans by requesting them to 'Like' them so as to be
receiving regular updates on their organizations, and also post
comments.
I have been a Facebook user for about two years now, and must say it
has been quite an experience. Initially, as a newbie I couldn't really
get the 'feel' of it, but after some time, learning and reading how-to
tips, I've gotten some foothold. If anyone will have something to
applaud them for, then it should be me. I have been able to re-establish
contact with long-lost acquaintances (relatives and associates) through
Facebook; previously I had thought I may never see these folks again.
So, I am grateful that though after some initial reluctance, I joined
Facebook and through it I've been able to connect with 'lost' friends
and relatives. And also, I've been able to make friends from (and
outside) my country. I must say that Facebook has added to my learning
experience as regards people and issues of this life.
Facebook is really changing the way we interact and socialize. On
this social media, I've been able to connect with some public figures
like my country's president, which otherwise would have been impossible.
Why? Well in my country Nigeria, it is very difficult to get in touch
with leaders because many of them normally do not create avenues to
communicate with the people they are leading. So, thanks to Facebook,
I'm able to air my feeling directly through his Facebook page.
One thing I have come to notice on Facebook is the way some users
place information about themselves (and their activities) on a daily
basis; while some people are like me-private and less inclined towards
'exposing' everything about myself (and everything I do), there are
others who don't really care. Everything about themselves is exposed,
which could make some criminal-minded folks take advantage of them, which in my opinion is not wise.
It is now the in thing for organizations to have a Facebook button on
the websites requesting you to 'Like Us on Facebook'. This is intended
to get people to whom these organizations will be updating on their
activities and encouraging them to comment so as to get feedback.
Facebook is really changing the way we interact and socialize today.
It is now a common knowledge that people use this social media to plan
events, send notices, broadcast news (and other information) to their
friends or network of associates. Most organizations now use Facebook as
an effective medium for advertising their products and services (even
politicians use it as a campaign tool!). They hope to capture the large
audience on this social media (think about direct contact with a billion
people from around the world), which could positively impact on their
growth and, of course, their revenues! It's no wonder that this is the
main revenue spinner for the Facebook crew- over three hundred billion
dollars spent annually in online advertisements by organizations- and
Facebook is getting a huge slice of it. Facebook is making money through
these advertisers (even though these adverts make us lose our privacy).
Early in the year they acquired a photography outfit called Instangram
which they hope to boost users photo-sharing experience and give them
(Facebook) an edge in the online social media world. They also got
listed on the New York Stock Exchange- more money from investors, and of
course a boost in income for the main owners.
Facebook is really changing the way we interact and socialize today. If you are not on Facebook, where are you?