Social Media: Addiction or Communication Tool?

Social media is a phenomenon that has made significant progress in the past decade. It’s common knowledge that in today’s society, the majority of people around you will have a smartphone that they consider almost as attached to them as their heart. It’s also the main form of communication for these people, and therefore a gateway for public figures and organizations to directly reach them at any time of day, regardless of location.

The side effects that my digital life is having on my social life are not exactly what I would call significant. However, I’ve noticed a few instances where I might ignore a pile of unfolded laundry in my room for the more appealing option of checking my social media. This could also be true when I’m shelving books at my job and suddenly a notification from Facebook Messenger pops up, leaving me to immediately put that task on hold for 5 minutes and participate in the conversation.

Personally speaking, I know that picking up my phone and opening YouTube is basically a death sentence to whatever else I need to get done before I go to class every morning. My hair will stay messy, my breakfast will probably sit in the toaster too long, and the trash might not be taken out in time, all because I’m watching rerun clips of Big Brother on my phone. While I wouldn’t necessarily call this a case of social media addiction, my subsequent tendency to frequently check Facebook and Snapchat might fit the bill more.

Knowing the important role social media plays in the PR field, I can see how posting stimulating content can make or break a company’s popularity in the eyes of the public. With every day, viewers expect something different and interesting to pop up on the screens of their miniature supercomputers. When I eventually find myself in the position to reach the inquiring minds of the public, I know that keeping up with trending topics myself will be a lifesaver when I’m formulating a plan to develop content of my own.

I don’t necessarily believe that concerns about modern-day internet usage are well-founded. While critics may cite studies and specific instances of people becoming addicted to their smartphones, the fact remains that technology is always evolving. Print media will always be around, but it’s unlikely that it will take center stage as the number one form of mass communication in the future.

I believe that in general, future PR practitioners will lean toward relying on video content to appeal to their consumers. Research shows that people generally prefer to see video content over text. Instead of having to visualize what words on a page are trying to describe, it fulfills their need for instant gratification, allowing for the image to be seen right there in front of them. I would personally rather see a dog barking the alphabet over reading a sentence about it on a Facebook post

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