What is social media?

Social media websites are everywhere on the Internet. They have created such a buzz, that new sites are constantly being created and developed. What is social media and why is it having such an impact on website owners and users? It can be complicated to narrow down a simple definition, but the easiest way to describe social media is online media that encourages conversation, interaction, user feedback, networking, and online bookmarking. These sites also allow users to add music, photos, and videos, giving users and viewers the most interactive experience possible.

Social media has enhanced traditional media because users create and develop content and collaborate with other users. Previously in media, collaboration with other users wasn't accessible, and users were limited to only previewing online content. Social media websites range from social sharing sites (YouTube www.youtube.com, Flickr www.flickr.com), social news sites (Digg digg.com, Yahoo Buzz buzz.yahoo.com), publication tools (Blogger blogger.com, wikis wikipedia.org), and social bookmarking (diigo diigo.com, del.icio.us delicious.com).

Below, is a breakdown of different types of social media, and websites that I have found useful for collaboration. (Please note that several websites overlap and can be considered in two categories. For example, digg.com is a social news site but can also be considered a social bookmarking site. It is interesting to see how social media sites can be used for several different functions, making these sites possible to use for several different functions.)

To understand more about how social media, and how it has influenced the Internet watch the movie below.