When we think about the history of social media, platforms like Myspace or Facebook might come to mind. However, one of the first significant social media sites was SixDegrees.com, launched in 1997. It allowed users to create profiles, connect with others, and list friends. Despite having millions of members, it struggled because less than half of American adults were online in 1998. The founder, Andrew Weinrich, sold it in 1999, and it shut down in 2000. Although it didn’t last, SixDegrees paved the way for future platforms.
Many people worry that posting photos online means losing ownership. However, if you created the content, you still hold the copyright. By sharing it, you’re giving the platform a license to use it, potentially even for profit. This means they could theoretically sell or use your photo if their terms allow it. If someone else uses your content commercially without permission, you might have grounds for legal action.
The term “influencer” was officially recognized in 2019 as someone who sparks interest in products or topics through social media. While some influencers are wealthy, most earn modest incomes. For example, someone with up to 10,000 followers might earn $30,000 to $60,000 annually from sponsorships. Those with up to 50,000 followers could make around $100,000. Earnings depend on factors like the platform and industry. While some influencers become rich, many of the highest earners were already famous.
There’s a common belief that social media sites sell your personal data to advertisers. In reality, they usually sell ad space targeted at specific demographics. This means brands can advertise to certain groups without buying personal data directly. Although this can feel invasive, social media companies argue it’s different from selling personal information outright.
Social media is often seen as a young person’s activity, but this is changing. A 2021 Pew survey found that most Americans aged 18 to 64 use social media. While young people still dominate, the gap is narrowing. Seniors over 65 are the smallest group of users but are growing rapidly.
Signing up for platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook doesn’t cost money, but users pay in other ways. By giving their time and attention, users help generate ad revenue for these companies. This is why social media sites focus on creating addictive experiences.
Social media is relatively new, but research shows it can negatively impact children and teens. A 2019 study in JAMA Psychiatry found that adolescents spending over three hours a day on social media are at higher risk for mental health issues. Even Facebook admits its products can be harmful.
Some believe staying off social media protects their privacy, but that’s not entirely true. Mark Zuckerberg has admitted to collecting data on people who never signed up for Facebook, creating “shadow profiles” from third-party information. This means your data might still be collected even if you don’t use social media.
Remember to think critically about your social media use. Follow us on Instagram, Discord, TikTok, and Twitter for more insights. Thanks for reading!
Create a timeline of the evolution of social media platforms, starting with SixDegrees.com. Include key milestones and the introduction of major platforms like Myspace, Facebook, and Instagram. Use online tools like Canva or Lucidchart to make your timeline visually appealing.
Research a real-life case where a social media user faced issues with content ownership. Present your findings to the class, focusing on the legal aspects and outcomes. Discuss how understanding copyright can protect your content online.
Simulate the life of an influencer by creating a budget based on different follower counts. Calculate potential earnings from sponsorships and expenses related to content creation. Reflect on the financial realities of being an influencer.
Participate in a debate on the topic: “Does opting out of social media protect your privacy?” Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments. Consider the implications of “shadow profiles” and data collection.
Design and conduct a survey among your peers to assess the impact of social media on mental health and daily life. Analyze the results and present your findings, highlighting any trends or surprising insights.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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The history of social media doesn’t start with Myspace, Friendster, or LiveJournal. According to many experts, one of the first notable social media sites went live in 1997. SixDegrees.com allowed users to create personal profiles, connect with other users, and list their friends. The platform had millions of members at its peak, but its success was short-lived. Less than half of American adults were online in 1998, which made it difficult to recreate real-life social circles on the internet. SixDegrees.com founder Andrew Weinrich sold the site to Youthstream Media Networks in 1999, and it shut down in 2000. The subsequent successes of sites like Myspace and Facebook, which also offered friend lists and profile pages, suggest that SixDegrees was a bit ahead of its time.
Hi, I’m Justin Dodd, and today we’re talking about some common misconceptions about social media. Don’t forget to like this video, post about it on Instagram, and share it on Facebook for your parents to see. Let’s get started!
**Misconception 1: Social media owns whatever content you post.** If you share a photo online, you may be hesitant to do so if it could launch your photography career. However, as long as you’re the original creator, you hold the copyright to any content you share on social media. By posting your pictures online, you’re granting these platforms a license to publish your photographs however they like, even to make a profit. This means that theoretically, if allowed in their terms and conditions, a platform could decide to sell or use a photo you took. If another user takes pictures from your account for commercial use, you might have a stronger case for legal action.
**Misconception 2: All influencers are wealthy.** In 2019, Merriam-Webster recognized the term “influencer” as someone who generates interest in something by posting about it on social media. While some influencers are viewed as celebrities, the average influencer earns a more modest income. According to a Vox interview from 2018, someone with up to 10,000 social media followers could earn between $30,000 and $60,000 annually through sponsorship deals. Influencers with up to 50,000 followers could potentially make around $100,000. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the platform and industry. While it is possible to get rich from social media, most influencers do not earn exorbitant amounts, and many of the highest-paid influencers were already famous in other industries.
**Misconception 3: Social media sites sell your data to advertisers.** Selling users’ personal data to advertisers is often cited as a major concern. However, most major social media sites do not sell user data directly. Instead, they sell ad space targeted at specific demographics. This means that if a brand wants to advertise to a particular group, the platform can sell them ad space that appears in front of that demographic. While this practice may feel invasive, social media companies argue that it differs from selling personal information outright.
**Misconception 4: Only young people use social media.** The stereotype of social media as a young person’s activity may have been accurate in the past, but it’s no longer the case. According to a 2021 Pew survey, the majority of Americans aged 18 to 64 report using social media. While young people still outnumber older users, the gap is not as wide as it once was. Seniors over 65 make up the smallest portion of social media users, but they are one of the fastest-growing demographics.
**Misconception 5: Social media is free.** While it doesn’t cost anything to sign up for basic accounts on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook, users are paying in other ways. In exchange for access, users give up their time and attention, which generates significant ad revenue for these companies. This is why many social media sites prioritize an addictive user experience.
**Misconception 6: We don’t know how social media affects kids.** Social media is still relatively new, but studies indicate that it can have negative effects on children and teens. According to a 2019 study published in JAMA Psychiatry, adolescents who spent more than three hours a day on social media were at higher risk for mental health issues. Even Facebook acknowledges that its products can be harmful.
**Misconception 7: Opting out of social media protects your privacy.** While opting out may seem like a way to protect your data, it’s not enough to stay off the grid. Mark Zuckerberg admitted to collecting information on people who never signed up for Facebook, creating “shadow profiles” based on data from third parties. This means that even if you don’t use social media, your information may still be collected.
Remember to assess your own social media use and follow us on Instagram, Discord, TikTok, and Twitter. Thanks for watching, and we’ll see you next time!
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This version maintains the essential information while ensuring clarity and appropriateness.
Social – Relating to society or its organization. – Social structures can significantly influence individual behavior and societal norms.
Media – The main means of mass communication, such as television, radio, and newspapers, regarded collectively. – The role of media in shaping public opinion has been a subject of extensive research in social studies.
Influencers – Individuals who have the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of their authority, knowledge, position, or relationship with their audience. – Social media influencers can impact the mental health of adolescents by promoting certain lifestyles and ideals.
Data – Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. – Researchers use data from surveys to understand trends in adolescent behavior and mental health.
Privacy – The state or condition of being free from being observed or disturbed by other people. – Concerns about privacy have increased with the rise of digital media and the collection of personal data online.
Content – The information and experiences that are directed toward an end-user or audience. – The content shared on social media platforms can influence societal norms and individual perceptions.
Ownership – The act, state, or right of possessing something. – The concept of ownership in digital media raises questions about who controls the content and data shared online.
Adolescents – Young people in the process of developing from a child into an adult. – Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of social media on their mental health.
Mental – Relating to the mind or an intellectual process. – Mental health is a critical area of study in psychology, especially concerning the impact of social environments.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury. – Public health initiatives often focus on promoting mental health awareness among adolescents.
