Social media is as a set of software and web tools that help users interact online, share
content and develop a personalised network of friends, colleagues or organisations.
Social media is digital technology that allows the sharing of ideas and information, including
text and visuals, through virtual networks and communities.
Every individual uses their network differently, and there are no set rules about what is ‘right’
for each site.
There are several different types of social media platforms, each with their own purpose, such
as social networking (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), bookmarking (Pinterest), sharing news
(Reddit, Digg), sharing media (Instagram, TikTok), and blogging (Tumblr).
Social media users can include everyday people, public figures, businesses, institutions, and
even government agencies.
Terms to Know about Social media
1) Platform: The specific social media website or application (e.g., Twitter, TikTok)
2) User: The individual, group, or entity engaging on the platform (e.g., your cousin, the
neighborhood bakery.)
3) Post: The content being shared on the platform by a user, or the comments, replies, or
subsequent collaborative engagement (e.g., a tweet, an Instagram story, a Facebook
comment)
4) Content: The actual information or media being shared in the post (e.g., text, images,
GIFs)
The Top 10 Social Media Platforms Worldwide
These were the most widely used social media providers as of January 2023, according to
Data Reportal:
1. Facebook (2.96 billion users)
2. YouTube (2.51 billion users)
3. WhatsApp (2 billion users)
4. Instagram (2 billion users)
5. WeChat (1.31 billion users)
6. TikTok (1.05 billion users)