TERM PAPER TITLED: DISCUSS THE CONTRIBUTION OF WEB 2.

0 TO

THE EMERGENCE OF SOCISL MEDIA

BY OGUNSOLA SURAJUDEEN DAYO

PhD2201163
COURSE TITLE: NEW MEDIA AND ICT

COURSE CODE MCM905

DEPARTMENT OF MASS COMMUNICATION, FACULTY OF SOCIAL

SCIENCE NASARAWA STATE UNIVERSITY, KEFFI.

COURSE LECTURER: Prof A. I, Igyuve

JULY, 2023

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Introduction

On March 19, 2021 WhatSapp application literally went off across that globe, for a number of

hours, it was like the earth will collapse, panic sets in, businesses started suffocating, and human

relations was extremely strained before it was rectified, that is the world of today, the world

being heavily dictated and dominated by new media, no thanks to the internet.

Because of the penetrative impact of the internet, which provides the linkage, new media has

become part of human endeavor, it is almost a way of life, such that surviving for 24 hours

without a touch of new media has become practically impossible, in fact, new media platforms is

replacing human relations all over the world.

One of the evolutions of this type of modern interaction is called Web 2.0. It is the second phase

in the Web’s evolution, attracting the attention of IT professionals, businesses, and Web users.

Web 2.0 is also called the 'Wisdom Web', People-centric Web,

Participative Web, and read/write Web. It emerged in the early 2000s, marking a significant shift

in the way people interacted with websites and online content. Web 2.0 introduced user-

generated content, social interaction, and collaboration, moving away from the static web pages

of Web 1.0.

Nicolae (2017) is of the view that the term “Web 2.0" means all technical, features and uses of

the World Wide Web that follow the original form of the web, especially interfaces that allow

users with little technical knowledge to adopt new functionality of the web. Thus, users

contribute to the exchange of information and can interact.

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The term 'Web 2.0' is devised to differentiate the post-dotcom (.com) bubble World Wide Web

with its emphasis on social networking, content generated by users, and cloud computing from

that which came before. The 2.0 appellation is used in analogy with common computer software

naming conventions to indicate a new, improved version. The term had its origin in the name

given to a series of Web conferences and interviews, first organized in 2004, by popular

publisher and author, Tim O’Reilly, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Founder of O'Reilly

Media.

The interworking of Web 2.0 has been continually evolving over the years. Instead of a single

instance of Web 2.0 having been created, its definition and capabilities continue to change.

Web 2.0 harnesses the Web in a more interactive and collaborative manner, emphasizing peers’

social interaction and collective intelligence, and presents new opportunities for leveraging the

Web and engaging its users more effectively. There is no single, universally-accepted definition

for Web 2.0. Instead, it's best described as a series of components that, when put together, create

an online environment of interactivity and greater capacity compared to the original version of

the web. Below are the more prominent components of Web 2.0.

Wikis: Wikis are often information repositories that collect input from various users. Users may

edit, update, and change the information within a web page, meaning there is often no singular

owner of the page of the information within. As opposed to users’ simply absorbing information

given to them, wiki-based sites such as Wikipedia are successful when users contribute

information into the site.

Software Applications: The early days of the web relied upon local software being installed on

premise. With Web 2.0, applications gained a greater opportunity to be housed off-site,

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downloaded over the web, or even offered as a service via web applications and cloud

computing. This has shepherded in a new type of business model where companies can sell

software applications on a monthly subscription basis.

Social Networking: Often one of the aspects most thought of when discussing Web 2.0. social

networking is similar to wikis in that individuals are empowered to post information to the web.

Whereas wikis are informational and often require verification, social networking has looser

constraints on what can be posted. In addition, users have greater capabilities to interact and

connect with other social networking users.

General User-Generated Content: In addition to social media posts, users can more easily post

artwork, images, audio, video, or other user-generated media. This information shared online for

purchase or may be freely distributed. This has led to greater distribution of content creator

crediting (though creators are at greater risk for their content being stolen by others).

Crowdsourcing: Though many may think of Web 2.0 as allowing for individual contribution,

Web 2.0 brought about great capabilities regarding crowd sourced, crowd funded, and crowd-

tested content. Web 2.0 let individuals collectively share resources to meet a common goal,

whether that goal be knowledge-based or financial.

Contributions of web 2.0 to Social Media:

During the Web 1.0 era, websites were primarily static and one-way, with limited user

interaction. Web 2.0 changed this landscape by enabling dynamic and interactive websites that

encouraged user participation. It allowed individuals to create, share, and modify content online,

leading to the rise of social media platforms.

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One of the key elements of Web 2.0 was its immense contribution to the emergence of social

media. Social media refers to online platforms and applications that enable users to create and

share content, as well as engage in social interactions. These platforms allowed individuals to

connect with friends, family, and people with similar interests, regardless of geographic

boundaries.

Bernal (2009) argued that Web 2.0 expanded the frontier of relationship between content creator

and user in the digital world, considering the advancement brought to bear, The initial

relationship was strictly unidirectional in this model, fixed and targeted based on assumptions

made by the webmaster and content team. In contrast to this approach, in the Web 2.0 model,

users actively participate and contribute to a website. This bidirectional approach enables users

to interact with the site and each other in ways that provide for and foster a collective

community. Users can create, edit, rate, and tag content at will, which provides other users with

new information and guides the relevance of what is important to the overall community.

The emergence of social media was a direct result of the Web 2.0 movement. Social media

platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn gained popularity and transformed

the way people communicate, share information, and connect with each other.

It enabled users to connect and engage on a global scale, breaking down geographical barriers

and fostering virtual communities. Social media platforms also became influential channels for

news dissemination, political activism, marketing, and brand promotion.

Social media's impact on society has been substantial. It has reshaped the way we obtain and

consume information, altered communication patterns, and facilitated the spread of ideas and

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opinions. Social media platforms have provided a platform for marginalized voices, grassroots

movements, and social causes to gain visibility and create meaningful change.

The rise of social media was facilitated by several technological advancements, such as

widespread internet access, the proliferation of mobile devices, and the development of

interactive web technologies as said earlier. Social media platforms provided users with tools to

create and publish their content, including text, photos, videos, and links. Some of the notable

social media platforms that gained prominence during the Web 2.0 era include:

Facebook: Launched in 2004, Facebook became one of the most popular social networking sites,

connecting people globally and allowing them to share updates, photos, and videos.

Twitter: Established in 2006, Twitter introduced the concept of micro blogging, where users

could post short messages called "tweets." It became a platform for real-time news updates,

discussions, and sharing of multimedia content.

YouTube: Founded in 2005, YouTube revolutionized the way video content was shared and

consumed. It provided a platform for users to upload, share, and discover videos on various

topics.

LinkedIn: Created in 2002, LinkedIn focused on professional networking and connecting

individuals based on their career interests and goals. It became a hub for job seekers, recruiters,

and professionals to showcase their skills and expand their professional networks.

Instagram: Launched in 2010, Instagram gained popularity as a visual-focused platform for

sharing photos and videos. It offered various filters and editing tools to enhance the visual

content.

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The emergence of social media has had a profound impact on various aspects of society,

including communication, marketing, politics, activism, and information sharing. It has created

new opportunities for businesses, transformed journalism, facilitated political movements, and

influenced public opinion.

However, it has also raised concerns regarding privacy, data security, online harassment and

safety, the influence of algorithms on user behavior, and the spread of misinformation,

prompting discussions about responsible use and regulation of social media platforms. These

issues continue to be subjects of debate and scrutiny as society grapples with the evolving

landscape of the digital age.

References

Agbo P. M; and Odaudu N. A. (2021), The Width and Breath of Communication Research.
Concepts, Issues and Trends. Edited by Ter Moses Akasae. Vast Publishers.
Bernal J. (2009) The Relationship Between Web 2.0 and Social Networking. Retrieved from
https://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=1400615
Kenton W. (2022) What Is Web 2.0? Definition, Impact, and Examples

Listible: Complete List of Web 2.0 Products and Services (

http://www.listible.com/list/completelist-of-Web-2-0-products-and-services) is an
excellent Web 2.0 resource.
Nicolae S. (2017) Web 2.0 / Social media / Social networks, Book Review. Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/DAYO/Downloads/Web20-Media-Networks-Preview.pdf
Oyebode M. O; (2014) Use and Misuse of the New Media for Political Communication in
Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. ISSN 2224-607X (Paper) ISSN 2225-0565 (Online) Vol.4,
No.4, 2014

Sam Murugesan (Aug 2007) Understanding Web 2 0

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