My Media Usage in Daily Life & How it all began with Social Media

 

First Experiences/ Memories  with Social Media

 

 

I don't have a clear memory of my very first experience with social media, but I do recall the excitement of receiving my first smartphone at the age of fourteen. Owning a smartphone made me feel as though I had access to countless possibilities. I was eager and slightly nervous to explore the potential of this new device. It wasn’t long before I discovered social media applications, and I began to understand how they could be used. I believe the first social media app I frequently used was WhatsApp. Initially, installing the app wasn’t difficult, but it took me some time to fully understand how to use it effectively.

 

I was particularly excited about the fact that I could use WhatsApp as a messaging service to communicate with friends without incurring any costs. The ease with which I could sync my phone contacts with WhatsApp was another reason I appreciated the app. WhatsApp's design and functionality, coupled with its widespread use among my friends and family, made it a convenient and essential tool for communication. Additionally, WhatsApp allowed me to express my personality in an informal, unforced manner, particularly through the use of emojis. These symbols helped convey emotions and sentiments that might be challenging to articulate with words alone, fostering stronger connections with my peers.

In summary, WhatsApp became an important platform for me because it facilitated communication with friends and family, and it helped me cultivate closer relationships. A particularly amusing aspect of using WhatsApp was the frequent discussions I had with friends about the meanings of various emojis, which provided valuable insights into how my friends interpreted these symbols.

Daily Use of Social Media

 

I also rely on social media to stay informed. For example, I subscribe to a news channel where I can quickly catch up on the latest headlines, political developments, and other significant events. If I find a particular topic intriguing, I often turn to social media for more in-depth information. However, I am mindful of the need to carefully evaluate sources of information. It can be challenging to distinguish between credible news outlets and those that may propagate misinformation.

At present, I do not rely on online newspapers. I prefer the tactile experience of reading a physical newspaper, especially when I wish to unwind during my leisure time. Overall, social media plays a substantial role in my free time. I use platforms such as Instagram and YouTube to relax and de-stress after a busy day.

I do not use WhatsApp as frequently anymore. The constant availability required by the app can be overwhelming, and I find it draining to engage in ongoing conversations. While I enjoy longer chats with my closest friends, as they understand my communication style, I find conversations with acquaintances or less familiar individuals on WhatsApp to be more taxing.

I am not deeply involved in online communities, though I occasionally post comments on YouTube. Generally, I would describe myself as an independent social media user. If I lose interest in a particular platform, I have no hesitation in deleting the app. However, I also consider myself a curious user. When new platforms emerge, I enjoy learning about their features and functionalities. My engagement with a platform tends to diminish once the novelty wears off or if I am bombarded with excessive notifications, which can become off-putting.

Overall, I find social media enjoyable and entertaining. I use it not only for personal enjoyment but also to interact with others. My preferred platforms for interaction are Instagram and WhatsApp, where I share glimpses of my daily life and express my personality.

In conclusion, I would say that I use social media frequently, but I remain conscious of managing my usage and maintaining control over my consumption.