The Popularity of Social Networking and Social Media Sites Research Paper - 8

The Popularity of Social Networking and Social Media Sites - Research Paper Example The social networks and social media phenomenon has also led to the emergence of new careers in social media managers who are among the best-paid employees in the current times. Social media has basically overhauled the traditional ways of doing business. Besides business, social media and social networking have also profoundly affected how members of society communicate with each other. Calls that are usually carried over telephone networks and physical mails that are normally delivered through courier and postal services are almost becoming extinct as more and more humans choose to communicate via internet supported chat rooms, emails, status updates, microblogs and tweets. Through a simple status update, one can give an opinion on an issue and initiate a debate on the issue without necessarily convening a physical meeting where everyone has to be physically present. Socializing has also taken a new form as a result of the emerging Social Media and Social Networking sites. Humans a re often considered as social beings that have the need to socialize with each other. Social Networking sites like Facebook allow one to befriend people over the internet even without meeting them. Graduates.com is another site that allows for the socialization of former schoolmates. Perhaps the most profound effect of social media is in the way we receive news. In the past, breaking news was a reserve of the big cable television companies. However, in the social media and social networking era, anyone who can claim ownership of a smartphone can easily play the role of a journalist and deliver breaking news. Pictures can easily be uploaded on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.