What examples of social media do you find inspirational or challenging? Mention 1 or 2. Cite a reference or URL for each. Explain why they inspire or challenge you.

My first example of social media is this Coronavirus-related infographic designed by Singapore’s leading news outlet, The Straits Times.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Using a serological test developed by Duke-NUS Medical School, the authorities were able to discover the source of the Grace Assembly coronavirus cluster. The test, which is done on a blood sample, is able to detect past infections even in recovered patients. This is believed to be the first time clusters have been linked using serological tests. Link in bio @straits_times #StraitsTimes #coronavirus #covid19

A post shared by The Straits Times (@straits_times) on Feb 25, 2020 at 5:00am PST

It depicts a rough breakdown of the largest Coronavirus cluster in Singapore and includes important details such as dates, locations, and how the cases were linked (The Straits Times, 2020). The graphic even utilises different colours and shades to demarcate the various groups of cases involved. On top of that, the Instagram caption includes a clear call-to-action that directs readers to the link on their page, where they will be able to get more information on the situation if they so please.
What I find most inspiring about this example is that the creators were able to quickly and aptly turn a string of facts – most likely from a press release with information provided by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) – into a simple and digestible graphic. This gives Singaporeans peace of mind in these trying times when they need it the most.

The second example of social media is this trending TikTok video, where user Thatguyro articulates that “when you think about it, the ocean is really just a bunch of water”, before ending the video with a slew of awkward pauses and an unfinished sentence.

Though I understand the humour behind the clip, I also find this example particularly challenging because its content is what most would identify as pointless and awkward, and yet it has already garnered over 400,000 likes and 4,500 comments within a mere two weeks.
This serves as a reminder that there is no hard formula for creating viral content, and poses the question: Can viral content really be a feasible marketing strategy? Sure, viral content costs little to nothing to create and has the potential of great reach. However, humans are unpredictable, and therein lies the challenge to predict what could or could not go viral.

Word count: 315 words

References

The Straits Times 2020, The Straits Times on Instagram, viewed 20 March 2020, <https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_aJhPJBpN/?igshid=1fchru23f67c7>

Roshmo 2020, Thatguyro on Tik Tok, viewed 20 March 2020, <https://www.tiktok.com/@thatguyro/video/6799471643237371141>

What is your interpretation of the term ‘social media’? What have you learned from the Sensis reports? Include 2 or 3 references from academic sources.

The term ‘social media’ can be interpreted in a myriad of ways; some use the term rather restrictively, to describe interpersonal relations on social networking platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, while others may define it as broadly as the socialisation aspects of websites, like blogs and news sites, in general (Hunsinger & Senft 2013).

With the growing amount of online businesses and influencers these days, it is natural to view social media simply as a marketing tool, with success measured almost entirely by profits or popularity, but it is much more than that. It is also a tool for communication. As Baruah (2012) aptly puts it: “The inherit definition of social media is grounded in its ability to support interactive dialogue across various media platforms.”

Similarly, according to Brauns & Bahnisch (cited in Hunsinger & Senft 2013), social media is a collective of networked information services that support in-depth social interaction, community formation, collaborative opportunities, and collaborative work.

An example of such community formation can be found in the Sensis report, which states that over a third of social media users support or contribute to issues or events through the medium, as it is not only a convenient way to show support and passion but also a handy way to get their voices heard.

To add on, one of the top reasons audiences use both social media and traditional media is to keep up to date on news and current affairs (Sensis 2018). And with community formation through social media comes about the ability to pinpoint and evade fake news – something that is prevalent in today’s society – more easily. Precautionary steps like vetting the source’s credibility, fact-checking, and consulting professionals are made more accessible and straightforward, as compared to traditional media, which resembles a hypodermic needle, whereby ideas and thoughts are easily injected into the unsuspecting minds of the audience.

With all that being said, social media, to me, is an ever-growing and ever-changing two-way online conversation that connects like-minded individuals, facilitates discussions, promotes awareness.

Word count: 330 words.

References:
Baruah, T.D 2012, ‘Effectiveness of social media as a tool of communication and its potential for technology enabled connections: A micro-level study’, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, vol. 2, no. 5, pp. 1-10.

Hunsinger & Senft, 2013, *The Social Media Handbook*, pp. 1.

Sensis, 2018, ‘Part One – Consumers’, Yellow Social Media Report, pp.5.