Over the last decade, social media has evolved from a quirky pastime activity to a defining phenomenon of our everyday lives. We don’t treat our Facebook profiles or Tweeter accounts as standalone features of our personal lives but as a means of expression and communication.
The world seems to be stuck on the growing face of social media, and the new trends and prognoses envision an even stronger bond between humans and the virtual world.
How Social Media became so Popular
Most people check their Facebook updates, the latest Tweets and the freshest Instagram posts as soon as they wake up in the morning. During the day, they mix work, chores and even family meals with their quick escapes on social media, and at night they give it a last peek before falling asleep.
At first, people used social media just to get in touch with their friends or family. Globalization and intercultural adaptation have quickly ushered in an age where sharing a photo or your current status is more than meets the eye. Our basic needs for belonging and approval find resolution in social media interaction, and make us feel an appreciated part of a community, albeit a virtual one.
Where is Social Media right now?
According to the reviewwind infographic the social media users has grown from from 0.97 billion in 2010 to 2.62 billion in 2018. At the moment, social media has developed into a complex structure that enables socialization and communication on several levels.
Some may use it to meet other people with the same interests, while others build their profiles as part of a networking system that allows them to develop professionally, look for jobs and advance in their careers.
Social media channels are so popular across the world because they are free and have a high level of compatibility. You can access your Facebook page or your LinkedIn account on your smartphone in almost any country if you have a stable internet connection. They also offer you the chance to reach out to celebrities, politicians, authorities and news corporations to communicate in ways that were unthought-of in the past.
Where will Social Media go from here on out?
It is difficult to predict what our relationship with Social Media will be next year or a decade from now. Experts believe that current social media platforms will have to evolve quickly to meet the needs of their users or lose ground to up-and-coming channels.
We can only presume that with the advent of virtual reality and augmented reality, our means of communication and expression will keep evolving in exciting and interesting ways.
Checkout the infographic below:
