Writing Assignment 3 Social Media in the United States-1avuzrv
Social Media: Communication in the United States
Help Received: References
- INTRODUCTION
According to the International Telecommunication Union there are over 1 billion individuals around the world who use social media on a regular basis [1]. The development of social media was rapid, and its impact on United States citizens specifically has been great. New forms of communication and industry have been developed around social media technology in the United States. I will be examining the history of the development of social media specifically in the United States, and the impact that it has had on its citizens. Communication through internet technologies began in the United States, and today social media is at the forefront of online communication. Modern social media usage is wireless thanks to technological advancements. It enables people across the country to maintain social connections that they would not otherwise have access to. Individuals in the United States have adapted social media technology to meet the needs of the constantly changing culture. Although social media has been developed around the world in different faucets, in the United States entrepreneurs have developed social media into a useful aspect of everyday life.
- Social Media History and Impact
2.1 Early Years
To truly understand the interaction between social media and the United States culture one must first grasp a basic understanding of the original social media systems developed. In 1978 Ward Christensen and Randy Suess, two computer hobbyists, created the first online Bulletin Board System (BBS) while trying to avoid a Chicago blizzard. BBS allowed personal computer owners to place messages on a bulletin board that other BBS users could view at a later time when they dialed into the system. This was the birth of social media. The idea that an individual could place a message online, and others could access that message from their own home computer. According to Benj Edwards, an author for the Atlantic journal, logging onto a BBS system was a way to interact with other computer uses on a casual fun platform [2]. The BBS system was limited to textual interaction, and computer users in the United States yearned for greater social capabilities.
The solution to problem of limited online interaction compatibility was developed by a scientist living in Columbus, Ohio named Jeffery Wilkins. CompuServe began in the 1979s as a business oriented mainframe system for computers. It was used by business to communicate using the internet. In the begging this social media platform had a huge impact on business. Businesses could communicate across the country to different plants or stores in order to spread ideas and information quickly. Eventually CompuServe technology made it into the house hold computers of United States citizens. CompuServe was unique because it enabled true interaction between internet users. Individuals could communicate instantly with other users on discussion forums, and send emails across the country. The discussion forum development with CompuServe paved the way for modern social media technologies. Social Media development did not stop with the CompuServe system [3]. Another social media player would emerge during this time, and take credit as the first online interaction tool used by millions of Americans across the country.
The new system that would capture the attention of millions of Americans was American Online, better known as AOL. AOL was unique in that it allowed members to develop profiles and communities. An individual with a personal computer could develop a member profile in which they described themselves, and set parameters. They could then join or create groups with other online users. This advancement in the social media system was what citizens were looking for. Individuals could communicate instantly with members of their group, or even meet new people that they previously would never had access to [3]. AOL was the beginning of modern social media, but there were so many more technical and social advancements yet to be made.
2.2 Modern Developments
Prior to the development of sites like Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter social media existed as a simplistic computer system technology that enabled instant communication between groups. In 2002, that limited computer system technology was about to be overcome by modern technology and ideas. Friendster was created in 2002 using a degree of separation concept to connect users. The idea was that individuals wanted to connect with people that were similar to them. Friendster used algorithms to connect computer users. The CEO James Abrams called it a “dating site that isn’t about dating” [3]. Users were connected to people across the country, and were able to create unique social connections that were otherwise inaccessible. This technology was created in Canada, and gained traction in the United States. It initially had 3 million users across North America, but it eventually lost traction leaving citizens with a craving for online social connections.
In 2003 Myspace was developed in the United States to fill the need for a social media outlet. Myspace captivated audiences by enabling users to share music, videos, and fun information. Myspace was a social media outlet that focused on leisure activities, and making connections with individuals who shared similar interests. Myspace spread across the world, and users could connect with people in different countries. More and more people had access to computers in the United States beginning in the 21st century. When people realized that personal computers could do more than just compute information they became even more wanted. This lead to an increased demand for leisure and social activities on the Internet. The Myspace platform opened up the door for a social media outlet that served as a way for citizens to interact with anyone around the world, and as a way to spend their free time completing fun activities like listening to music or watching a interesting video clip. With Myspace captivating the audience looking for a leisure social media site a gap was created for a more professional site that connected internet users.
Linked-In filled the need for online users to have a forum to connect with others on a professional level. In 2003 Linked-In was created to connect individuals looking to hire employees, and employees looking to network with others. Linked-In successfully created a social media plat forum that served as a professional site for employers and employees. Now individuals could connect with other people who shared similar professional interests. Today millions of Americans use Linked-In as a way to create networks with professionals. Careers are often developed through Linked-In connections. Linked-In and Myspace were extremely successful captivating the attention of Millions of Americans, but there were two more online social media sites that would eventually come in and take control of the market [3].
In 2006 Facebook was launched for the public. Facebook used similar technology as linked-in and Myspace. It connected users to people who shared similar interests. Individuals could maintain social connections online regardless of physical distances. What really made Facebook unique was its ability to turn a social media site into an extremely successful business. Facebook captured hundreds of advertising contracts, and really transformed the social media technology into a business. Individuals were interested in connecting with friends and family, and Facebook was able to reveal this need to advertisers and earn a profit off of the social needs of individuals across the world. Facebook was developed by a student at Harvard, and has become a staple of American pop culture. Along with Facebook, twitter has recently emerged as a dominate figure in the social media world. With twitter users can complete many of the same functions as previous social media technologies. Twitter has successfully used American pop culture to gain users. Twitter is a leisurely way to develop social connections with others that is considered “cool” [3]. These social media technologies have increased social interaction in the United States, and have paralled the needs of instant gratification in the American society. Technology has developed in order to keep up with social media ideas, and even make it more accessible to millions of users.
2.3 Technologies That Boost Social Media
Social media would not be as widely used as it is today without certain technological developments. Computer companies around the world have been recently producing and developing advanced wireless devices. The development of the Smart Phone had a huge impact on social media. The smart phone inables users to access the internet in the palm of their hand. Social media sites allow users to connect with millions of people instantly. The two technologies have paired up in a sense creating a vast impact of United States culture. You can not walk around an American city without seeing individuals on their phone most likely observing social media. Other products like faster computers, and hand held devices like ipods and ipads have increased the usage of social media. The social media business has become a multibillion dollar industry. In the United States citizens want the ability to easily connect with others, and share information and leisure activities. Not only has social media technologies enabled this, but so have advancements in wireless computing. Social media thanks to wireless computing has now become a staple of everyday life.
- CONCLUSION
To conclude, social media was developed out a need created by the United States culture, and has turned into an important aspect of everyday life in America. Technological advancements overtime have made social media more accessible, and the ability for individuals to communicate with others has become drastically easier. The United States is a leader in the social media industry, and United States culture relies on its entities.
RESOURCES
[1] Lunden, Ingrid (May 14, 2012). “ITU: There Are Now Over 1 Billion Users Of Social Media Worldwide, Most On Mobile.” Tech Crunch. Retrieved March 29, 2017 from https://techcrunch.com/2012/05/14/itu-there-are-now-over-1-billion-users-of-social-media-worldwide-most-on-mobile/.
[2] Edwards, Benj (November 4, 2016). “The Lost Civilization of Dial-Up Bulletin Board Systems.” The Atlantic. Retrieved March 30, 2017 from https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/11/the-lost-civilization-of-dial-up-bulletin-board-systems/506465/.
[3] Digital Trends Staff (May 14, 2016). “The History of Social Networking.” Digital Trends. Retrieved March 30, 2017 from http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/.
