Social media and social networking appear to be interchangeable terms, but they serve different use cases. Learn the difference between social media and social networking.
By
Andrew Froehlich,West Gate Networks
Published: 24 Sep 2020
While the terms social media and social network seem to be interchangeable, they have distinct differences. Essentially, social media is a platform for broadcasting information, whereas social networking is a platform for communicating with one another. Social media is a communications channel, whereas, in social networking, the communication has a two-way nature. Let's dive deeper into the difference between social media and social networking.
What is social media?
When we think of the term media, it usually reminds us of traditional outlets, such as newspapers, magazines and television. Yet, when you add social in front, the term takes on an entirely different vibe. Social media adds a technology component -- as well as flexibility -- when it comes to how a person consumes, shares and collaborates with what is being presented. Thus, social media can best be described as an internet-based way to publish or broadcast digital content that readers can fully interact with.
Anyone can publish social media. Traditional news media outlets, like CNN and Fox News, publish their own content for digital consumption. Businesses and organizations do so as well. Even your child's local soccer club can create social media for members to read, watch and interact with.
What is social networking?
Consider social networking in the context of who a user is receiving content from. First, social networking requires a platform. Common examples of social networking sites or platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Users join a social network platform and begin connecting -- or networking -- with other users. This is done so users can choose who they want to receive communications from. In some cases, communication is one-way, while, in others, it's bidirectional or multidirectional.
In other words, social networking is like selecting radio presets on a car stereo. It helps streamline access to what you do and don't want to consume. And, again, content can be delivered through personal or business contacts, in the form of news media, or any other community or organization the user is interested in.
Social media requires a social network in order to disburse content to those that wish to consume and interact with it.
The difference between social media and social networking
Even with the description I have just given, there are nuances to consider. Facebook as a social networking site is an example of how the terms can differ and yet somewhat overlap. You register and post your profile, connect with friends and comment on topics in a generally interactive way. On that same social networking site, companies set up a presence and use Facebook as a way to communicate their brand and gain a following. This is distinctly a use case for both social media and social networking.
That said, there is a clear difference between the two. Social media requires a social network in order to disburse content to those that wish to consume and interact with it. Thus, the social media network is the underlying technology and human connections, while social media focuses strictly on what is being published and consumed within the social networking platform.
Paul McMillan contributed to this piece.
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A social network focuses on the connections and relationships between individuals.Social media is more focused on an individual sharing with a large audience.
Essentially, social media is a platform for broadcasting information, whereas social networking is a platform for communicating with one another. Social media is a communications channel, whereas, in social networking, the communication has a two-way nature.
Social networking refers to the act of using the Internet to keep in touch, and social media refers to the actual websites used to do so. They both refer to keeping in touch with people over the Internet, but social media is less formal than social networking.
Social Media is used for electronic communication and creation of online communities where you can share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. Social Networking is used for creation and maintenance of personal and business relationships, especially online.
In general, socializing is more about building relationships and enjoying the company of others, while networking is more about building professional relationships and achieving your goals. However, there is no hard and fast rule between the two, and you can certainly do both at the same time.
The Internet is a vast network that connects computers worldwide, allowing people to access information and communicate, where people share stuff and connect, like Facebook or Instagram. Social media refers to websites and apps where users can share content, interact, and connect with others.
The connections between members are pre-established and they can expand to bring more people into the mix. Online social networks do not have pre-established relationships. They are groups of people who have something in common, like a shared hobby or interest, but do not necessarily engage offline.
While on Social Media, the data can be shared every time. Social Media has the choice of people performing different tasks on it, for example, liking and sharing images and other personal information, etc. On the other hand, Traditional Media do not have any of these things but only approved information.
You don't see what they're actually going through. For this reason, it's important not to compare your life to what you see on social media. Your journey is not less important than anyone else's because of what you have or don't have – your journey is simply different.
Social media is defined as a website or application that enables us to create and share content. A social network is alternatively a website or application that enables us to communicate with one another by posting information, comments, and messages.
Psychology Today says that a simple “lack of eye contact” is what is driving increasingly nasty tweets and posts, making rudeness in our society “our new normal.” Today's growing social media incivility makes me long for the good old days of email rudeness, when you could only offend a couple hundred people at a time.
Facebook is the largest social networking site, with over 3 billion people using it monthly, according to Statista. This means roughly 37 percent of the world's population are Facebook users.
Facebook is a social networking site that makes it easy for you to connect and share with family and friends online. Originally designed for college students, Facebook was created in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg while he was enrolled at Harvard University.
Social networking and social media are overlapping concepts, but social networking is usually understood as users building communities among themselves while social media is more about using social networking sites and related platforms to build an audience.
Social networks are websites and apps that allow users and organizations to connect, communicate, share information and form relationships. People can connect with others in the same area, families, friends, and those with the same interests. Social networks are one of the most important uses of the internet today.
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