Meaning, Uses and Examples of Social Media & Protecting Personal Data

 

What is Social Media?

With the start of World Wide Web, it has become easier and faster to interact with friends and family around the world. People can share their opinions, thoughts, feelings, and experiences through texts, photos, and videos on the social media. Social media is Internet-based service that allows users to create, communicate, and share information and resources. It is popular because the service is free, readily available, reliable, interactive, and reaches out to more users quickly.

 

 Uses of Social Media

Social media is used in various purposes, from sending messages to gathering information for research. Some of the uses of social media are:

i. Communication

Social media is a medium through which people share their opinions, ideas and feelings. It is cheaper, quicker, and easier than postal services, telephone and email.

ii. Business

People use social media to advertise, sell and get feedbacks on their Products. It can be used for marketing and maintaining customer relations effectively.

iii. Entertainment

Social media provides variety of entertainment. We can watch movies, listen to music, share jokes, and play games.

iv. Media Sharing

People share news, videos, photos, and music through social media. They also get feedbacks or give comments on the materials shared Online

 

Examples of Social Media

Some of the widely used social media are:

i. Facebook (www.facebook.com)

Allows users to connect and share with family, friends, and other people of similar interests.

ii. Blogger (www.blogger.com)

Allows users to create a blog. A blog is an online version of your diary written in informal style.

 

iii. Twitter (www.twitter.com)

Allows users to post short and frequent messages called tweets.

 

iv. YouTube (www.youtube.com)

Allows users to upload and share videos.

 

v. Instagram (www.instagram.com)

Allows users to capture, edit and share photos and videos with family and friends.

vi. Telegram (www.telegram.com)

Telegram is a cross-platform, cloud-based instant messaging system. The service also provides end-to-end encrypted video calling, VoIP, file sharing and several other features.

 

vi. WeChat(www.wechat.com) 

It is a mobile application that allows users to make voice and video calls, share texts and voice messages, photos and videos.

 

Protecting Personal Data

Personal data refers to the information about an individual. It comprises of a person’s full name, occupation, addresses, financial information or any other information that might reveal a person’s identity. Since people use and share large amount of personal data online for different purposes, there is high risk of data being stolen and misused. For example, if your bank account password falls in wrong hands, your money could be stolen. It is necessary to know how to protect your personal data. Some ways to protect your personal data are given below:

1. Do not share your personal details in publicly accessible sites.

2. Control privacy settings in your social media accounts.

3. Do not share your personal information on the Internet or over phone unless you know the person.

4. Remove all personal information from devices like mobile phones, laptops or computers before you dispose them.

5. Do not share your password. Always set strong password and change your password regularly.

6. When you use shared computers, always log off from your account after using it.