In my opinion, the reason I use social media such as Facebook, Skype and other social networks is connecting with others. If it weren't for social media I would probably not talk to my friends from elementary, middle and high school as well as teachers that I've had. The reason being that it is hard to keep in touch through just the phone or through letters, however going on Facebook or even email facilitates the ability to communicate with others. I can even Skype with friends, family or professors whether it is to catch up, do homework, ect. Social media gives me the opportunity to keep in touch with my family in Mexico. I don't see them, but having the ability to Skype or write them on Facebook brings us a step closer together. Social media also gives me the chance to build my networks. I can talk to teachers I previously had and they can refer me to other educators through email, Facebook, Skype or other social networks as a way for me to have references, more career opportunities and better chances in getting a job.
Another reason is the easiness to attain information. It is no longer necessary to remember the date of World War 1 unless it is mandatory. With the access of social media I can easily find the date of World War 1 in less than 1 minute. There are millions, billions, trillions of websites that social media provides. With those websites I can find anything that I could think of. I no longer have to retain information such as dates or information that even if I try to remember I probably would forget it in less than a week. Social media gives me the chance to spread my horizons and stay connected.
Social media has a major impact on education and will continue to have a impact in the future. Today education is wrapping the idea of social media. Educators are more widely open to the idea. Students now depend on social media to either communicate with professors or other students. Also their ability to acquire information in a fast matter of time. However, with the increase of social media students have more responsibilities and expectations. Students are required to know more in different sub areas and build networks. At the same time of providing positive effects on education, social media has negative effects as well. Students are easily influenced through social networks causing consequences on their education. Some students will not pay attention in class due to the fact that they can't stop looking at their phone screen.
In the future, social media will rise and affect education. Instead of having a traditional classroom teachers are going to be teaching through the web. Students will be at home being taught through a screen instead of going to school, having recess and communicating with friends face to face. More and more students will depend on social media to communicate with teachers. They will have more even more expectations.
Not only is education impacted by social media, but also cultures. More and more cultures are now being exposed positively and negatively. Cultures are easily influenced by media. At the same time it brings cultures together and have the ability for different cultures to work together. Today social media has given an opportunity to cultures by having them share and write. For example the news gives people all over the world the chance to see other cultures, their defaults, their triumphs, their hardships, ect. However, sometimes the news is deceitful by only portraying only negatives or positives on a certain culture.
In the future, social media will impact cultures even more. They will become more united in a sense by communicating more and relating to one another. Social media will give cultures all over the world a sense of belonging as well as understanding. Cultures will change the way that they are being portrayed or expand their values all over the world. Cultures will be easily influenced by media. People will be more attentive to what they post on the web due to the fact that they might regret it once it is exposed.
Overall, social media is affecting our lives today and will continue to do so in the future.
