The perspective I have on digital media, social media websites and applications feels distinctly millennial. Afterall, I was born in 1991, so I’ve gotten to grow alongside it. Heck, I can remember the “analog” world we had before the switch, and the digital phenomenon we have today. Social media became popular in the late 1990s as I was turning ten. It wasn’t until around 2005 when it really started taking off (BroadbandSearch.net., 2022), which just happened to be my formative teenage years.

  It’s with this distinctive millennial perspective I see myself a bit torn in how I approach which applications and websites I decide to use. The first notable social media website I remember using was Myspace. Myspace would be supplanted by Facebook, which I would eventually adopt using. I was a hold out for a few years, but eventually I gave in. I didn’t understand the appeal of another site doing what Myspace had been doing. Then eventually came Twitter, Snapchat, which I was also slow to adopt. Facebook stuck around so that has been my “daily driver” since I opened my account in 2009. I have yet to delete my original Facebook account somehow, guess that’s why I still use it!

  Facebook has stood the test of time since it continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. It also has a ton of integration with countless other systems and apps if you decide to take advantage of those features. The platform allows you to stay in touch with those who you might not stay in touch with otherwise as well. As I’ve grown older, I now understand the role of social media a bit more and that has led to my positive perspective on Facebook, and even other forms of social media. Another platform I use routinely is YouTube, which I almost forget is considered a form of social media with its comment section!

  I find that my needs for social interaction and media consumption are satiated by Facebook and YouTube mostly. I might launch other forms of social media from time to time since my fiancé is 5-6 years younger than me and her platforms of choice are a bit different than mine. She’s a big Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok user, and she will share stuff with me from those platforms from time to time. I get why companies embrace those platforms from a business perspective too, they will go where the eyes go. Where the eyes go means the advertising dollars will follow. I also worked at Microsoft in a position where I had to promote gaming events for a bit, so I understand the game.

  Moving on, emails that catch my attention are usually those promoting some sort of sale or discount, it’s really that simple for me. Offer me a way to save money from a brand that I recognize, and I will most likely click into the email at the very least. I also will click into the occasional Indeed or LinkedIn job awareness email to see what type of listing might have opened in my area. Although I’m happy in my role, I’m always open to new opportunities.

  What I notice about the use of digital media in marketing today is the shift toward TikTok, a platform I refuse to adopt wholeheartedly due to its ties to China. Nothing against China, I’ve just become a bit more considerate of my data usage especially when it comes to foreign countries. Although at this point, trying to reel in all the data I’ve put out there is like trying to put pandora back in the box, it’s just not feasible. At this point I’m just trying not to make it any worse by using TikTok. At the very least, not using TikTok that much, which is still better than fully embracing it. The world is embracing it regardless of my usage, and I’ve noticed it impacting Hollywood and the Music Industry. Most of my observations are from a casual lens. What I’ve noticed over the past couple years, aside from the big Marvel movies, Hollywood is taking less chances on unknown IP. The Music Industry, on the other hand, is making music catered to TikTok’s short form approach

  That is the day in my life for digital media. Facebook and & YouTube are my go-to sites and generally elicit a positive reaction from me when I do navigate to those platforms. Types of emails that get a reaction from me are mostly discount/sales related, with the occasional “job awareness” email from LinkedIn or Indeed. Finally, the trend I’ve noticed is the shift of focus to TikTok, and how it’s impacting the world of media. Thank you for reading!

References

BroadbandSearch.net. (2022). History of Social Media (It’s Younger Than You Think). Retrieved from https://www.broadbandsearch.net/blog/complete-history-social-media