Image Attribution: “instagram” by tanveer is licensed under CC BY-SA. (See interactive map)


 

Tanveer Kaur

T00608617

TERRYL ATKINS

ASSIGNMENT-3

THOMPSON RIVERS UNIVERSITY

VISA-1500

Social media sources are well-known for having a powerful influence on the lives of their users. People are increasingly committing themselves to the use of many social media networks available worldwide as internet usage grows. Previously, elder generations were known to utilize social media in moderation, but this is changing now. Most of us may not agree with this statement, yet we all know it is true. I used to be such a social media fanatic, with a daily screen time of more than three-quarters of the day, which has now been reduced to 4-5 hours. Instagram, WhatsApp, and Snapchat are the social media apps I use the most, with average screentime of 2:30 hours each. Furthermore, I have such a habit of scrolling over Instagram for long periods of time without noticing it, and as a result, I end up postponing or delaying a lot of useful and necessary tasks that I could have done or was obliged to do, at that time. I’ve received 30+ Snapchats, 60+ Instagram messages, and over 20+ WhatsApp messages in the few previous days. I posted more stuff on Instagram than on Snapchat or WhatsApp.

Insta or Instagram is among the most popular apps in the world today, and practically everyone uses it to some level. It is a fantastic site for sharing photographs, videos, and ideas in the type of posts, stories, or reels. Instagram has a number of characteristics that make it an excellent social media marketing tool. Switching to a ‘business’ account allows businesses and brands to take full advantage of the platform by making their page more searchable and allowing people to view direct contact information. Instagram has also added IGTV (Instagram TV), a lengthier video format, as well as a ‘ask me anything’ story button, which has already proven to be a popular tool among influencers. This app may be used in a variety of ways, including creating or uploading material, sharing someone else’s articles or videos, or simply scrolling through the many uploads from across the world. It also enables the user to connect with both familiar and new persons through chat, video calls, and voice conversations. A new feature allows users to purchase and sell products ranging from keychains to branded clothes on the marketplace. This attempts to raise understanding of global concerns as well as people’s own perspectives on those topics. Furthermore, it gives a person power over their uploading and other information by giving them the option of making their account public or private.

On the other hand, Snapchat seems to have a more personal feel to it and focuses more on direct messaging, whereas Instagram is more about public sharing. It’s more generally utilized among friendship groups than Instagram, which is more commonly used for sharing stuff with a broad audience. Suppose If you want to engage with a community in public, Instagram is the way to go, while if you’re building relationships in private channels then opt for Snapchat. Snapchat also focuses on picture and video content, allowing users to rapidly and easily exchange material. Snapchat’s most well-known feature was its usage of transient material; however, Instagram Stories, which accomplishes the same, now shares the spotlight with Snapchat. Friends may send each other photos and films that would last 10 seconds or less before disappearing forever. Snapchat has come a long way in the previous year, but its sweet spot is still sharing content with pals.

On either hand, I exclusively use WhatsApp to share information or have a lively conversation with my classmates, family, and friends. WhatsApp is primarily renowned as a communication platform. It allows us to send text messages and make voice and video conversations to individuals all over the world. The reason I prefer WhatsApp to various other communication applications is that it is specially created for conversation, and unlike other apps, it does not distract the user with a range of other capabilities.

Both my lifestyle and habits have changed dramatically as a result of these apps; I used to spend the majority of my day online, and my jokes and routines were all dependent on what I saw. I’ve grown to rely on them for nearly everything, including news, health advice, and so on. Among the most advantageous things for me is that through Instagram, I have learned lots of Immigration news/ updates, nowadays our generation hardly reads news while Instagram has gained my knowledge in different fields. I feel more confident in society and feel more knowledgeable even if don’t read a newspaper.

But, like with anything else, there are certain disadvantages. The ability to voice one’s thoughts on any occurrence or post made by another user encourages some people to take advantage of this opportunity by bullying or harassing others, promoting hate, or disseminating false information throughout the site. It can also lead to people comparing themselves to other users, physically or financially, which can have a negative influence on one’s mental health and personal.

 

References

https://www.contentcal.com/blog/snapchat-vs-instagram/

https://marketing.sfgate.com/blog/snapchat-vs.-instagram-the-main-differences-you-need-to-know-and-why