The first social media platform was launched in 1997, it was from where the new age of communication began and it changed the way we live, interact and connect. SixDegrees built by Andrew Weinreich allowed individuals to create profile, add their friends in their list and connect with others in the network.

The computers were becoming increasingly common in the households in 1980s and 1990s. It became a semi-necessity by 2000s for work and school so SixDegrees was built ahead of its time when mostly businesses own a computer but it laid foundation for the next social media platforms.  

At its height, it had 3.5 million registered members and was later brought by YouthStream before it closed due to a financial crisis in 2001. In the following year, another networking site Friendster was launched with the concept of using images in the networking sites.   

In 2004, when Facebook was launched and it changed the landscape of social media and rose to a height no social media had reached. YouTube entered in 2005 and brought videos in the digital sphere while Instagram from 2010 was focused on aesthetical images. Each social media had its own features that set it apart.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA CHANGED EVERYTHING?

THE POSITIVE IMPACT

The social media allowed people to connect from across the globe and changed the everyday communication. The social media not only acts as a networking platform but also as place for getting news update.  Social media is used as the mode of generating awareness, also as a news source where most of the people use it to stay updated.

The phase of social media has transitioned from text to images, which became popular during Instagram popularity years and to at last, videos becoming the most popular medium. Most of the times these social media are used for the purpose of forming community or to act as a platform for creative expression.

THE NEGATIVE IMPACT

On the other hand, it has a lot of negative impact like cyberbullying. Before parents would act as a guide and keep monitor of people around their children’s surrounding while making them understand how to judge people. But the on the social media, disconnected from the adult’s supervision, it is difficult to control every action in the internet, leaving child with the risk of facing cyberbullying.

Social media disrupts individual’s daily life; people are spending hours sitting and scrolling to social media. It gives rise to comparison and low self-esteem. The recent studies had also found the increased activity of social media leads to metal health problems like anxiety, depression, etc.

The blue light from the screen disrupts the sleeps hormone when used late at night and the notification sounds in the middle of sleeping can disturb the sleeping pattern.

The abundant information makes it difficult to identity what is true and what is false, in turn spreading misinformation. The lack of privacy is another common concern of many social media users. There are many reports of platforms selling the user’s personal information to third parties or marketing sites which put privacy at risk.

IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON BUSINESSES

How we shop had changed in the digital age, a person can buy things with fingertips, a click and the item will be delivered to your home. The spending had increased largely with online stores and shopping platforms and social media had also entered this race.

Social media allowed business, mainly small businesses to reduce the cost of marketing and jump the barrier in the market since they can market without spending on marketing agencies. The advertisement will reach the larger audience in short period of time. Thus, fundamentally changing the way advertisement was used to be shown.

It is also become a medium of direct communication between businesses and the its customers.  

Citation

Edosomwan, Simeon & Prakasan, S.K. & Kouame, D. & Watson, J. & Seymour, T.. (2011). The history of social media and its impact on business. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship. 16. 79-91.

Shaikh, T. A. (April 2024). Understanding The Emergence And Impact Of Social Media Platforms. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science. 26-30.

Dhingra, Manish and Mudgal, Rakesh K., Historical Evolution of Social Media: An Overview (March 15, 2019). International Conference on Advances in Engineering Science Management & Technology (ICAESMT).

Pathak, Nilanjan & Kumar, Amarjeet & Chouhan, Ashirwad & Kv, Dr. (2024). The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Consumer Buying Behaviour. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews. 5. 3598-36.

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