Choose 2 types of social media from this list:
Social networking
Social news
Media (Newsworthy) sharing
Microblogging/Influencing
Online forum sites
Social review sites
Crowdsourcing
Address these as social media types, not specific brand platforms.
Then, choose 2 specific social media platforms for each type of social media you selected. Some examples include:
TikTok
Instagram
Facebook
Reddit
Nextdoor
YouTube
Pinterest
Snapchat
Meet Up
Other - one that you use
For each platform, address the following:
What is the platform’s purpose?
How do people typically use the platform? Provide examples.
What are possible ethical challenges associated with using the platform?
Sample Answer
To understand the modern digital landscape, it is helpful to categorize platforms by their functional architecture. Below is an analysis of two distinct social media types and the specific platforms that define them.
Type 1: Online Forum Sites
Online Forum Sites are digital spaces designed for asynchronous, topic-based discussions. Unlike personal networks, these are organized around interests (hobbies, professional skills, or support groups) rather than a user’s real-life social circle.
Platform A: Reddit
Purpose: To serve as a "front page of the internet" where content is curated by the community through a system of upvoting and downvoting.
Typical Use: Users join "subreddits" focused on specific niches. For example, a student might use r/premed to seek advice on medical school applications, or a hobbyist might use r/woodworking to troubleshoot a project.