Now what is 'Social Media'. To define it, we have to break it down into parts.

Media is an instrument
on communication, like a newspaper or a radio, so social media would be a social instrument of
communication. Think of regular media as one way street where you can listen, read or see about a
subject but you have limited ability to give your thoughts on it. On the other hand social media is a two
way street that gives us the ability to communicate too.
Social Media has touched our lives in some form or other. Whether its sharing photos of grandchildren
or reading a blog about a burning issue like 'Who will make government in Delhi' or chit chatting with
friends on watsapp while being deep in the quilt or posting photos of party last night, social media has
encompassed its presence across various age groups. Worldwide, the tally of active users of social
media is now over two billion. That's close to a third of the global population and over 40 per cent of
everyone with an internet connection. Facebook alone has a reach greater than any of history's greatest
empires, with active global users at more than 1.3 billion, larger than the population of the world's most
populous country, China.
If I have to describe various facets of social media, here are they:
Twitter: I am eating Samosa
Facebook: I like Samosa
Youtube: This is how I eat my Samosa
Linkedin: My skills include eating Samosa
Instagram: Here is classic photo of my samosa
Blog: Here is my samosa eating experience
Pinterest: Here is samosa's recepie
Whatsapp: Hi! I have made samosa! Why don't you join me for it. Broadcast to TM Group :)
The power of social media has increased to the point that it can no longer go unrecognized. Our Prime
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi himself leveraged the social media to run the campaign Ab ki baar Modi
Sarkaar on the lines of social media campaign in US by President Barack Obama. Tex, likes, post,
share,watsapp me, etc have become common jargons in day to day lives. Even so that my father keeps
me asking questions on watsapp and Facebook:
What is a post on Facebook?
Papa, anything that is posted on Facebook is a post.
Sakshi, You never explain me these GenY things in detailed manner.
Ok, Papa now I will be as lucid as possible. Like Chatur in 3 idiots who defines everything in detail, I
also went on to explain post as : When pictures, texts or videos are posted through mobile, tablet and
laptop or desktop using internet on Facebook.
And my father said, Ahh thats better explanation.
Its not just me, others have experienced same thing with their parents trying to foray in these social
media domains. This is clear example of increasing social media penetration across all age groups.
However it has its both positives and negatives. Listing down its positives first,
- It has made things much more accessible. With just click of button on phone you can reach out to

large number of people on watsapp group.

- You can know about the world by liking various pages on Facebook, reading tweets on Twiter, going
through blogposts. Also one can post his/her opinion on these.
- Social media has changed the dynamics of marketing. Rather than investing in mass communication
through traditional means like TV,newspaper,etc more and more companies have social media
presence.
I have listed some of the advantages of social media among many. However it has its disadvantages as
well. These new forms of social interaction can cause anxiety, poor self esteem and can be allconsuming to detriment of work and friendship. Its is common experience that people are looking down
and texting while pretending they are listening to you. Knowing what friends are doing in their lives is
interesting but you may end up comparing yourself to them and feeling inadequate.
So friends I believe how many new social media platforms may come up but nothing can beat meeting
up in person and going out for cup of coffee for a small chit-chat. Again the Balance of Everything is
the key to life. Balancing virtual presence with real one is the right recipe to interactions.