Social Communication Media- Are online platforms where content is created by users themselves

using Web 2.0 technologies that facilitate the editing, publication and exchange of information. 
Social media refers to the means of interactions among people in which they create, share, and/or
exchange information and ideas in virtual communities and networks. 
Popular Social Media Tools and Platforms
* Blogs: A platform for casual dialogue and discussions on a specific topic or opinion.
* Facebook: The world’s largest social network with over 2.7 billion monthly active users as of the
second quarter of 2020.Users create a personal profile, add other users as friends, and exchange
messages, including status updates. Brands create pages and Facebook users can “like” brands’
pages.
* Twitter: A social networking/micro-blogging platform that allows groups and individuals to stay
connected through the exchange of short status messages (140 character limit).
* YouTube & Vimeo: Video hosting and watching websites.
* Flickr: An image and video hosting website and online community. Photos can be shared on
Facebook and Twitter and other social networking sites.
* Instagram: A free photo and video sharing app that allows users to apply digital filters, frames
and special effects to their photos and then share them on a variety of social networking sites.
* Snapchat: A mobile app that lets users send photos and videos to friends or to their “story.”
Snaps disappear after viewing or after 24 hours.
* LinkedIn Groups: A place where groups of professionals with similar areas of interest can share
information and participate in a conversations.
Understanding social media
While the tools and kinds of social media are many and their implementations seemingly boundless,
they all share a common set of characteristics that meet the rules of social media. Herewith, then, are
the five C’s of social media
* Conversation- No longer is the communication one-way, broadcast or somehow sent to a
passive audience. Social media is at least a two-way conversation, and often a multidimensional
conversation. Social media engages everyone involved.
* Contribution- Social media encourages contributions and reactions from anyone who is
interested. ‘Encourage’ is the key here; social media solicits an interaction, positive and
negative, by making it easy to contribute.
* Collaboration- Social media promotes an exchange of information between you and your
audience, and among audience members, by inviting participation. Creating a quick and simple
collaborative platform requires that information be organized and easily distributed.
* Connection- Accessing information on the Internet only takes a click. Social media thrives on
connections, within its own Web vehicles and through links to other sites, resources, people,
and automatic feeds. People can even create their own personalized site of connections.
* Community- The fundamental characteristic of social media is the creation of community: a
fellowship and relationship with others who share common attitudes, interests, and goals.
Communities form quickly and communicate effectively. Communities build goodwill from
members to the hosting organization and among members.
The role of social media during a pandemic
* A source of information and misinformation
Information can help keep us safe, providing us with a better understanding of what is occurring
and how it might impact us and those we love. Yet, social media can also spread falsehoods, including
miracle preventative measures, false claims about the implementation of martial law, conspiracy
theories, and more. Finding trusted sources of information regarding COVID-19 is extremely important.
There are still so many unknowns about the virus, and nobody is sure what the coming weeks and
months hold. It’s always best to be cognizant of this and avoid unnecessary bold statements.
* An influence on public response to the outbreak
Billions of people are free to publicly share their opinions on COVID-19 across various social
platforms. In the past few weeks, we’ve seen individuals, organizations, and businesses use social media
to spread awareness of COVID-19, as well as the public actions that can be taken. Social distancing and
home quarantine are trending, Boasting and shaming panic buying. This over-purchasing has become so
commonplace that social media users have coined a phrase to describe it: panic buying. On social, panic
buying is being discussed in two distinct ways: 1) people are posting about their own panic buying,
showing images of carts filled with toilet paper, water bottles, and frozen meals; and 2) people are
posting pictures of empty shelves or other people’s carts as a way to shame supposed panic buyers.
* A marketing platform
There are many businesses providing powerful and empathetic responses to COVID-19. The
main responsibility of brands right now is to provide for the safety and well being of their employees
and customers. That said, there are certain business models that lend themselves particularly well to
providing relief for many people during this time. Streaming services, for instance, are providing
entertainment for those bored at home. Markets and restaurants with delivery services are able to
safely provide groceries and meals to those unable to venture out. Online courses are being offered for
free and at reduced prices. All in all, we’re seeing many businesses do the best they can to ease the fear
and discomfort being experienced by so many.
* A powerful way to bring positivity to a scary time
No platform is perfect. But where there has been misinformation and fear on social media,
there’s also been an abundance of vital, lifesaving information, connection with others, and global unity.
The ability to share experiences with family and friends helps to combat both literal and emotional
isolation while also reminding us that we’re all in this together.
Here are a few of the ways that social media has made positive impacts during COVID-19:
* Fundraisers organized and distributed on social help raise money for those in need
COVID-19 has put many people, especially the elderly, those with disabilities, working parents
who are losing childcare, and those who are losing their jobs, in challenging situations. Communities are
rallying together to support organizations and individuals by sharing fundraisers with large audiences on
social media. People are also taking to social media to offer support in any way they can, such as picking
up groceries for individuals who are unable to leave home or sharing information on how to support
local businesses who are struggling to pay their employees.
* People are posting pictures and videos to share their experiences
Posts from people quarantined at home have ranged from videos of living room yoga to pictures
of snuggly pets who are thrilled their owners are with them 24/7. There have also been posts
acknowledging how difficult and frightening this time is. These are just a couple of the millions of
examples where people have shown their support and empathy on social media. And while tone and
delivery vary, the message from one user to another remains constant: you are not alone in this, there
are silver linings to be enjoyed, and it’s okay to experience this in any number of ways.
Advantages
* Aid in recruitment. Social media platforms can be used to publicize job openings, source
candidates and verify background information.
* Market the employer brand. Sharing media about employee events and company values can
help establish an employer brand to attract applicants and customers.
* Deliver internal communications. Human Resources communications on policies, benefits,
company news, social events, professional development and more can be made available to
employees at any time.
 * Engage employees. Internal social networking platforms can be more engaging and inspire
greater participation than regular e-mail communications. Employees may feel they have more
of a voice when their postings and comments are actively encouraged.
* Promote social learning and knowledge sharing. Providing employees with a way to connect
with co-workers to solve problems promotes social learning and can increase knowledge sharing
globally.
* Communicate during a disaster. Displaced employees can see emergency information from
their devices to stay in touch with the employer and receive direction.
* Professional networking. Human Resources professionals can network with peers, keep pace
with competitors, and help attract clients whose values align with the employer brand.
Disadvantages
* Security. Using social media platforms on company networks opens the door to hacks, viruses
and privacy breaches.
* Harassment. Employees may engage in harassing behaviors toward co-workers on a social
network, and Human Resources will need to take action if it becomes aware of such behaviors.
* Negative exposure. Postings from former or current employees, or even clients casting the
employer in a negative light, may damage the employer's reputation.
* Legal violations. Employers become more susceptible to charges of discrimination, privacy
violations and interference with employees' rights under Section 7 of the National Labor
Relations Act, among other violations, when social media is used in the workplace.
* Potential loss of productivity. Some employees may spend an inordinate amount of time on
social media for personal reasons while at work. Enforcing a clear policy on terms of use while
working can help to mitigate this risk.
* Wage and hour issues. Nonexempt employees restricted to certain working hours may incur
additional compensable hours, including overtime, more easily through social media use.
References:
* Retrieved from https://www.igi-global.com/dictionary/social-communication-media/34182?
fbclid=IwAR3R5I8 5QWASlKUG3sC3o02YrYf1ALcb03tYLa7nStsARWG4KEE3ERIOzkc
* Retrieved from https://communications.tufts.edu/ marketing-and-branding/social-media-
overview/?fbclid= IwAR3rdwbqM_VS9et-aUz4xDJ-j7kAPwX8lHnoczJW
ut4Erxi4ATDqc6dpqNc#:~:text=Social%20media%20refers%20to%20the,Snapchat%2C
%20YouTube%20and%20Vimeo%20accounts
* Retrieved from https://khoros.com/blog/social-medias-role-during-covid-19#