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June 30th is Social Media Day.  Social media has gone through immense changes over the past decade and has increasing impact on our lives everyday. In honor of today, I’d like to highlight my personal experiences with social media, talk about changes in the social media sphere, and discuss ways communities and organizations are using social media tools to benefit the community.

I can remember my first contact with social media.  It was my freshman year of high school and I was working on a group science project for my English class.  One of the girls (cute) from my group wanted to work on the project outside of class.  Unfortunately, checking E-mail was too slow over dial up and her dad wasn’t interested in getting phone calls from boys.  However, she said she had a solution – she had AOL Instant Messenger.  She and I could send messages back and forth over the Internet and even add friends to our conversation.  All in real-time. We could do all this and never even have to exchange phone numbers (unfortunately).

Although social media’s definition remains a little controversial, socializing over the Internet was simple in its infancy.  Users could log onto instant messaging clients and exchange information at lightning speed.  People could also get involved in topic-focused conversation through chat rooms and forums.  More recently, the invention of Myspace and Facebook allows users access to tons of information about their schoolmates, coworkers, and friends – all at the touch of a button.  Social Media has also changed to spread news about our favorite restaurants, newest ideas, silliest fads, and most inspiring artists.

Content on Facebook and other social media platforms have also evolved beyond Peanut Butter Jelly Time and Lady Gaga’s newest album.  Many non-profit organizations are using social tools to arouse the masses about issues facing the community. The American Red Cross operates nationally through Twitter to spread awareness about their critical shortage of O negative blood.  In situations even more dire, such as the disaster in Haiti, affected victims utilized Twitter to send distress calls for to let their family know they were still alive.

However, well-known organizations aren’t the only entities utilizing the social scene to promote their cause.  Smaller start-ups are also using social media tools to promote their presence and their cause.  The Detroit Mower Gang combs abandoned parks and play areas in Detroit that have been unattended due to lack of city funds.  They cut down tall grasses and clean up areas so that children can once again enjoy the city’s local recreational areas.  The mowers keep fans updated with pictures of what they find during their work.  They also post their location and time they’re cleaning up so interested people can come out and participate.

Social media has evolved dramatically in its sophistication since my days in high school flirting with pretty girls over AIM.  Although many people may feel that Facebook and Twitter only contain hum-drum happenings of everyday life, their communicative value has also facilitated rescue efforts and saved lives during pressing circumstances.  Additionally, social media helps coordinate groups operating both locally and nationally to unite for a common cause – even here in Detroit.

How has social media impacted your city?

Tags: AIM American Red Cross community Detroit detroit mower gang disaster Facebook Internet Myspace organizing Quicken Loans Social Media Social Media Day Twitter

About Jason Brown

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