The Role of Social Media in the Business World - Research Paper Example

Despite the conventional assumption that social media suited the Millennial Generation, it is evident that Baby boomers have adopted social media as the contemporary form of communication. The question relating to the means by which social media has shaped an individual’s life shares almost similar answers from everyone who utilizes social media. As such, it is evident that social media has shortened communication channels, making it easier to reach out to people at low costs regardless of the physical distance. For instance, communicating abroad through mobile networks require additional charges, unlike social media whereby all that is needed is a reliable internet connection. The reduced costs of communication that accompany social media have enhanced social interaction among peers. As such, social media has removed some of the inherent barriers to effective communication among individuals who could not afford the extra costs of communicating with people abroad.

            Social media has been embraced in the business world to enhance the process of establishing a global market. As such, various social media play a different roles in ensuring that the intended message is communicated as desired. For instance,   Facebook and Twitter allow users to communicate in short messages also termed “Microblogs.” On the other hand, Instagram allows users to communicate in form of picture messages. LinkedIn takes a different approach and creates a platform for work professionals to share their profiles. As such, every aspect of social media is differentiated to ensure that the user needs are met without overlapping. The functions of different social media ensure that the services offered are all around, making it a comprehensive communication platform.

            Social media, being a comprehensive communication platform, has myriad drawbacks besides boasting numerous benefits. The most evident benefit of social media is that it has made it easier for the global community to communicate. The business world boasts of social media as a platform to realize the objective of penetrating foreign markets (Jussila, Hannu, and Maija, 9). In addition, social media has been used as a platform to perform campaigns, send peace messages, and reduce violence through non-physical protests. For instance, on December 17, 2010, young Tunisians organized peaceful protests on Facebook and Twitter against the oppressive era of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali who had been in power for 23 years (Fox). The event is an example of non-physical protests attributable to social media.

            On the other hand, the drawbacks of social media are almost tangible citing examples from the increased rates of crime and criminal activities perpetrated through social media. In addition, cyberbullying is a common phenomenon among teenagers and young adults whereby it is known to cause depression and torture to the victim. As such, some users of social media have utilized the platform for personal interests that are not geared towards embracing humanity, as is required.

            The role of social media is inexhaustible considering that the social, economic, and political spheres are dynamic. It is imperative to speculate the trends of social media to ensure that emerging trends are not unprecedented (Straubhaar, Joseph, and LaRose, 312).