Social Media Terms and Concepts

Gratification: A state of pleasure

Social media platforms can provide a means of escape from perhaps a hectic, unpleasant outside world.

Social media can be used as a form of relaxation for some users, with calming aesthetics and satirical content.

Social media platforms can provide a sense of companionship to users, connecting them with others when they are lonely or bored.

Social media platforms, and especially Google, can provide users with instant gratification regarding answers to questions, and other desires users may have.

Communication: Reciprocal process between at least two humans, in which symbols are exchanged and all interaction partners give meaning to these symbols

The act of instantly messaging other individuals by way of cellular device or an app.

Keyboard feature used to convey meaning through symbols and small pictures.

A language of communication among internet users that includes phrases such as "LOL", "LMAO", "BRB", and many, many others.

Messaging between two or more users that takes place within a social media platform

Community: A certain share of communications regarding a shared quality or interest

Social media allows increased connectivity between friends, regardless of distance.

Social media allows increased connectivity between family members, regardless of distance

Groups to converse about a shared political interest, such as a presidential candidate or political party.

Groups to converse about a shared interest in a celebrity, tv show, movie, or other forms of entertainment

Groups provided by a school or other educational institute to converse about topics for educational use.

Sociality: The way in which people associate with each other to form social relations and societies

Sociality can be scalable; able to measured. Scalable sociality can be measured by the way users interact with others on various social platforms.

Associating with groups creates a shared way of thinking about a topic or interest, and provides connections to people with shared qualities

Social media's primary feature is connction. It connects people from all over the world from all different backgrounds, and this connectedness is what makes it so revolutionary.

Harassment is prominent among social platforms, and is a primary topic when discussing the cons of social media.

A relatively new, controversial form of punishing people, mainly celebrities and public figures, for offensive actions or things they have said. Arguably a form of harassment.

Privacy: Maintaining individual knowledge and access to accounts and personal spaces.

If a user hacks another individual's private accounts, information can be obtained and leaked that can damage an individual's personal life.

Intentional or unintentional release of private information that could pose a threat to national security or individual security.

Protection of passwords is key in maintaining a secure and private online presence, especially regarding social media platforms.

Users can fall victim to identity theft by sharing passwords, credit card, social security, and other private information.

Security is fragile in the online world, and users must be wary to protect their security to the best of their ability.

Platform: The primary units through which we think about and use social media

Computer access to social media websites are platforms by which to communicate with others

Cellphone or tablet access to social media applications by which to communicate with others

A popular social media platform where individuals can connect with friends, family, and strangers.

A popular social media platform in which users are able to send pictures and chat with one another

A popular social media platform where individuals can "tweet" a message of 280 characters or less with anything they feel like posting.

A popular social media platform where users can post photos and "like" others posts.