M7A4 Reflection Blog Post

Personal Reflection and Analysis: Social Media and Its Impact on Society

This week's materials present a rich tapestry of insights into the multifaceted role of social media in shaping personal relationships, facilitating social change, and enhancing civic engagement. Through a blend of articles and videos, we see how digital platforms have become integral to individual and collective experiences.

The case study on United Airlines, featured in the Division 46 Amplifier article, underscores the power of social media in holding companies accountable and driving institutional change (Div46 Amplifier, 2017). The public outcry online prompted the business to reevaluate its policies, illustrating how collective digital activism can lead to tangible change. The CNN video about a couple who met on Instagram and eventually married showcases the personal connections that social media can foster (CNN, 2016). I've witnessed this in my circle of friends, where numerous relationships have blossomed from online interactions. Social media has allowed people to connect across geographies, breaking down barriers that once seemed insurmountable.

Pia Mancini's TEDx talk emphasizes the role of technology in democratizing political participation and enhancing citizen engagement (Mancini, 2014). This resonates with my experience in a local government initiative that used an online platform to collect community feedback on city development projects. This initiative empowered citizens, including myself, to influence the shaping of our community directly. Additionally, the NPR article on crowdsourcing intelligence, which compares public problem-solving skills to those of CIA analysts, illustrates the potential of collective intelligence (NPR, 2014). Participating in online forums where community members solve complex problems collaboratively has shown me firsthand the power of diverse perspectives in reaching innovative solutions.

YouTube videos featuring discussions about social media's impact, including its role in driving social change and enhancing personal connections, further illuminate the dual nature of these platforms. While they can foster positive connections and drive change, users must navigate challenges such as misinformation and digital echo chambers.

In conclusion, these resources collectively highlight social media's transformative potential in various aspects of life. My experiences confirm that social media can drive significant social and institutional changes, but fully harnessing its benefits requires responsible usage and active engagement.

**References:**

- Division 46 Amplifier. (December 18, 2017). United Airlines: A case study using social media to raise awareness and facilitate institutional change. Retrieved from https://div46amplifier.com/2017/12/18/united-airlines-a-case-study-in-using-social-media-to-raise-awareness-and-facilitate-institutional-change/

- Mancini, P. (2014). How to upgrade democracy for the Internet era [Video]. TEDx. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5VdgemGqeI

- CNN. (February 1, 2016). The couple meets on Instagram and gets married. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2016/02/01/couple-meets-on-instagram-and-gets-married-kcal-dnt.kcal

- NPR. (April 2, 2014). So, you think you're smarter than a CIA agent? Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2014/04/02/297839429/-so-you-think-youre-smarter-than-a-cia-agent