Blog Post #2 - SM is Mediatized

 The influence of social media (SM) is currently being used in various ways that shape politics, world culture, business, innovation, customs, beliefs, education, careers, and more. SM technology affects how society communicates as it facilitates the sharing of ideas, thoughts, and information through virtual networks and communities. As discussed in the class lecture, SM is a fabric of mediatization whereby this method of technology influences other sectors of society. The Couldry and Hepp article supports this claim stating that  “this deep, consistent, and self-reinforcing role of media in the construction of the social world is to say that the social world is not just mediated, but mediatized” (15). Essentially, meaning that SM is not just a medium that mediates, but instead possesses influence through the media itself. However, SM is also reliant on society and the individual user. While SM and networks control the parameters, (in most circumstances) users have influence within the media as well. SM, unlike most forms of media, possesses qualities of personalization. It gives users the freedom of choice within the media. For example, on TikTok (like most SM), users are able to build a profile, post their own content, and follow friends or other influencers within the application. However, users are influenced by SM as well, such as being categorized by the algorithm, subject to advertisements, etc., through the infrastructure that mediates the user experience. Therefore, while SM is mediatized, I would also argue that users mediatize SM (go hand in hand). 


Below I have attached an article discussing how society uses the medium for influence, instead of being influenced.

https://web.worldbank.org/archive/EXTYOUTHINK_MAY2017/WEB/SOCIA-12.HTM


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