Week 11 - How Social Media differs around the world

 

Through me research this week it is clear that Social Media use differs significantly around the world based on factors such as internet access, cultural norms, economic development, and government regulations. With developed economies/societies, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) are widely used, but growth has largely plateaued due to already high adoption rates, the focus in these areas tends to be on content sharing, news consumption, and networking. Developing countries are experiencing rapid growth in social media use, driven by increased smartphone access and expanding internet coverage and relatively inexpensive hardware. Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok serve as primary tools for communication, news, and even commerce in these areas. There are also cultural differences that influence platform use and popularity. For example, WeChat dominates in China, while VK is popular in Russia. In Latin America and parts of Africa, messaging apps are central to social and business interactions. Social Media’s role also varies: in some countries it’s a tool for activism and political expression; in others, it's more entertainment- or commerce-focused. Despite global trends, local context, language, literacy, and infrastructure have a significant influence on how Social Media is used and accessed worldwide.

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