The Social Media Craze

It’s undeniable that Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.) has significantly impacted modern society.  Statistics about increased social media use continue to shock and amaze most Idahoans, as we’re often just a few years behind the trending curve.  Nevertheless, the phenomenon of “staying connecting”, every hour of every day, has breached all cultures and demographics.  Millennials no longer dominate online social circles. People of all ages and every walk of life have become part of the Social Media Craze.

Did you know that the average American spends 40 minutes a day on Facebook? In fact, a recent survey indicates that the average Facebook user checks their profile 5 times per day!  Sound familiar?  And while Facebook continues to lead the social media craze with over 1.23 BILLION active accounts, other social media profiles (such as Instagram and Twitter) are on the rise.  81% of Millennials check Twitter at least once a day, and 32% of teenagers consider Instagram to be the most important social network.

With dozens of accessible social media platforms on the market today, there is quite literally something for everyone. Mom’s seem to love Pinterest and Facebook, while their kids flock to YouTube and Instagram. Young adults find solice in “tweeting”, while single adults look to Tinder.  Don’t forget the working professional, who stays connected in LinkedIn, and the avid entertainment lover who frequents Reddit. The list goes on and on.  In fact, the average American actually has 5 different social media accounts!

One thing every social media platform seems to have in common is the ability to Direct Message (or “DM”) another user.  But it doesn’t stop there. Instagram and Flickr took social media to a new level, building the entire communication experience around sharing photos.  As time passed and smartphones continued to get “smarter”, Snapchat was born. This unique social media platform is built around video blogging, and disappearing DM’s.

Regardless of how you unitize your social media, you simply can’t ignore the profound impact it has on our everyday life.  Nearly every platform plays an important role in delivering news and political agendas, while still playing it cool with heart-warming stories, recipes, and DIY hacks. As our culture continues to grow and depend on internet connected relationships, it will be interesting to see what the next trend of the social media craze will be.