SOCIAL NETWORKING

Chekwoti Aramadhan
Islamic University in Uganda
…
INTRODUCTION
 The Internet has rapidly evolved from being merely an
information sharing platform to being a social networking
platform used by individuals to share content, opinions, and
information.
 Social networking is a global phenomenon that has revolutionized
how people interact with each other.
 They have become a central part of our daily lives as people
spend more time socializing on the Internet.
 It affects nearly every aspect of our life: education,
communication, employment, politics, healthcare, social
relationships, and personal productivity.
CONCEPT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

 Social networking refers to the use of internet-based platforms to

connect individuals, share information, and form relationships.

 According to Ellison and Boyd (2013), social networking sites (SNS)

allow users to create identifiable profiles that consist of user-supplied

content and connect with others through shared interests or
experiences.

 The primary purpose of social networking is to foster

communication and collaboration among users, enabling them to

exchange ideas, resources, and support.
…
 TYPES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS
Social networks can be categorized into several types based on their
primary functions:

Social Connections Networks:

These platforms focus on connecting friends and family members.

Examples include Facebook and Instagram, where users can share
personal updates, photos, and videos.

Professional Networks:

Geared towards career development and professional relationships,

 …

Content Sharing Networks:

These platforms enable users to share multimedia content such as videos and images.
YouTube and Flickr are notable examples where users can upload and share their
creative works.

Informational Networks:

These networks focus on sharing news, tutorials, or how-to content. Reddit and
Stack Overflow are popular for fostering discussions around specific topics or
problems.

Educational Networks:

Designed for academic collaboration, these platforms allow students and educators to
connect for learning purposes. Examples include Google Classroom and ResearchGate.
…
 Dating Networks:

 These platforms help individuals find

romantic partners based on shared interests or

preferences. Tinder and Bumble are well-known
dating apps.
POPULAR SOCIAL WEBSITES
 Facebook- 3.05 billion monthly active users (MAUs), 200 million

businesses (mostly small businesses), more than 7 million active

advertisers

 WhatsApp- 2.78 billion MAUs, WhatsApp Business reported

having over 200 million monthly active users

 YouTube- 2.49 billion MAUs. Besides being the second largest

social media app, YouTube is often called the second largest search
engine after Google, its parent company.

 Instagram- 2.04 billion MAUs

…

 WeChat – 1.32 billion MAUs

 TikTok- 1.22 billion MAUs

 Telegram- 800 million MAUs

 X (Twitter)- 335.7 million MAUs

 LinkedIn- 224 million MAUs

HOW DO SOCIAL NETWORKS WORK

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_KF7TYKVc
APPLICATIONS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

Social networks have numerous applications across various domains:

 Social Interaction:
 Social networking sites facilitate computer-mediated social interaction and
make it possible to connect people who share interests and activities across
political, economic, and geographic borders
 Education:
 Social networks are impacting the way students and educators engage in
learning.
 They are now used for learning, educator professional development, and
content sharing.
 Scientific communities use social media to exchange knowledge.
 Researchers and librarians use social networks frequently to maintain
professional relationships and share ideas.
…
 Healthcare:
 Social media enables different types of social connectivity among
different stakeholders such as doctors, patients, and caregivers.
 Social networking is an effective tool for teaching and learning for
doctors and nurses as SNS is used to provide new information
from research and assist in providing quality care to their patients
 Politics:
 Social networking seems to be impacting political life and political
movements across the globe.
 It has influenced voting and induced social changes, unrest,
uprisings and revolutions all over the world.
 Social networking will make government to be more accountable
and enable citizens to exercise freedom of speech
..
 Communication:

 SNS facilitates real-time communication among users

through messaging features, enabling

personal interactions regardless of geographical barriers.

 Marketing:

 Businesses leverage social networks for marketing purposes by

engaging customers through targeted advertisements and brand

promotions. This has led to the rise of influencer marketing
on platforms like Instagram.
…

 Collaboration:
 Researchers use academic social networks to share
findings, collaborate on projects, and stay
updated with peers in their field.
 Personal branding
 LinkedIn is a good platform for personal branding and
business-to-business marketing
 Social learning
 Social network sites can be used as a social learning tool to
reach a large population of internet users
 Finding jobs
SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

 Social media campaigns are strategic efforts by

organizations or individuals to promote a message or

product through social networking platforms.

 Effective campaigns typically involve:

 Clear Objectives: Defining what the campaign aims

to achieve (e.g., brand awareness, engagement).

 ..

• Target Audience Identification: Understanding who the campaign

is intended for helps tailor messaging appropriately.

• Content Creation: Developing engaging content that resonates

with the target audience is crucial for success.

• Engagement Strategies: Encouraging user interaction through

contests, polls, or direct calls-to-action can enhance participation.

• Analytics and Feedback: Monitoring campaign performance

through analytics tools allows for adjustments in real-time to improve

outcomes.
EXAMPLES
…
IMPACT OF SOCIAL NETWORKING ON EDUCATION

The integration of social networking into education offers numerous benefits:

Enhanced Learning Opportunities: Students can access diverse perspectives and

resources from around the world through social media platforms.

Improved Collaboration: SNS fosters teamwork by allowing students to collaborate

on projects regardless of geographical barriers. This collaborative environment
encourages peer-to-peer learning.

Development of Digital Skills: Engaging with social media helps students develop
essential digital literacy skills necessary for success in the modern workforce.

Creative Expression: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok provide opportunities for
students to showcase their creativity through visual storytelling.
NEGATIVE IMPACT
1.Distraction from Academic Tasks:

2.Cyberbullying and Online Harassment:

3.Information Overload:

4.Mental Health Concerns: Excessive

 BENEFITS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

Social networks offer numerous advantages:

• Enhanced Communication: They facilitate instant communication across

distances.

• Access to Information: Users can quickly access diverse perspectives and

resources.

• Networking Opportunities: SNS provide avenues for professional

networking that may lead to job opportunities or collaborations.

• Community Building: Users can connect with like-minded individuals or

groups based on shared interests.

 LIMITATIONS OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

Despite their benefits, social networks also present several limitations:

 Privacy Concerns: Users often face risks related to data privacy and

security breaches.

• Information Overload: The vast amount of information available can lead

to difficulties in filtering relevant content.

• Mental Health Issues: Excessive use of SNS has been linked to anxiety,

depression, and other mental health concerns.

• Misinformation Spread: Social networks can facilitate the rapid spread of

misinformation or fake news.

SUMMARY
 Social media: social Networking
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVefs5M0YzA
TASK/COURSEWORK
 Group work:
 Create a social media campaign of your choice
for a new product or service.