We are in a world where we all get information about anything online. We connect with friends, catch the news, and play games. In my generation, we do not turn on a news channel on television. I tend to lean on my social media platforms to keep me updated, and here are my top five.
1. Tik Tok
TikTok is my main platform to check the news, watch entertainment, or anything else. It is a growing platform that many from my generation use for the same reasons. The videos are short, so it is easy to comprehend the information given to you. TikTok has a special algorithm that will show you videos that are based on your interests. With the capability to go viral, you can reach a large audience quickly. I am the total opposite of my dad. He likes to get his information via news channels on the television, while I get my information via social media platforms. This app has accounts for all the same news channels but they summarize it to fit in the time frame of a video. This makes it easier for me to understand the information that is being provided to me. TikTok is definitely my top platform for obtaining the information I get, although I use it for more entertainment purposes.
2. Instagram
My use of Instagram is very similar to TikTok. The only difference is that I post to keep my family updated from so far away. I follow the important news accounts and other accounts for entertainment and then updates on family. Like TikTok, they have an algorithm so therefore you see videos and posts based on your interests and likes. Though you can go viral on Instagram, it does not have the same effect as TikTok. This app's target audience is the younger generation, but you find more and more people who are older using Instagram to connect with family and stay in touch. Most popular news channels do have accounts on major social media platforms which helps me especially because I would not open a news app when it just appears on my feed on Instagram. But, this app, for me, is entertainment use only. I will admit I would not know some of the news stories if it weren't for Instagram, but that is not the main use of this app for me.
3. LinkedIn
The use of this app is strictly professional. I am in this time of my life where I need to start looking for jobs to be able to be a part of the workforce. This platform is where you can see what companies you are interested in are doing. One of my favorite things about this platform is that I can see my friends and their achievements and successes. Being a Business Administration major, I follow the Phillips School of Business to see what events have been going on and how to get involved. I also see my Dad's company and its events and achievements because it is important to network and reach out to companies especially because we will not be in school forever.
4. Snapchat
We are constantly on our phones. Although I prefer text messaging with my friends, they prefer Snapchat as their form of communication. Unlike TikTok and Instagram, you cannot really follow news platforms on it because it is more of a way to communicate with your friends and family. There is also an algorithm so you see influencer's Snapchat stories because you can post publicly for all to see. Though it is not my all-time favorite, it is one of my top platforms because I like keeping in touch with my friends and seeing what is going on in their lives, it makes me feel more connected.
5. iMessage
Lastly, this is my last source of keeping me informed is iMessage. My Dad particularly loves to keep me updated with the news, different quotes, and just updates on anything that is going on in his life. This goes for the rest of my family too. I can keep in touch with my grandmother, who is not tech-savvy. I believe that the only way of getting a good conversation through the phone is either a phone call or text messaging. With social media platforms, it is easy to lose touch with people, but with messaging, you need to put in the effort to reach out to someone. My family still keeps in touch with what is going on in the world and we can have conversations about them too.
