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Today's, social media is the mainstay for information and connection. It is used to share ideas, thoughts, and data with others. This form of computer-mediated communication is achieved by joining networking platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

How is social media used professionally?

"Social media is your multimedia resume complete with endorsements. It provides you with a platform for building your thought leadership" (Smiciklas, 2016).

Career-oriented sites provide users with a means to directly promote themselves, a product, or service. Social Media allows for an individual or business to quickly engage with peers, employers, and customers in an effort to advance one's career goals. Social media is also a way to learn because feedback is delivered at faster rate.

Smiciklas, M. (2016) Managing Personal vs. Professional Identity on Social Media https://scalar.usc.edu/works/cultures-of-social-media/managing-personal-vs-professional-identity-on-social-media

How is social media used personally?

Social media can be used as "a tool to communicate who you are inside and out of the company" (Dutta, 2010). Personal accounts help you connect with friends, family, and groups as well as make you visual so that others can locate and connect with you. Generally, posts are intended to encourage engagement and socialization. Active users send texts, images, audio and video clips that spotlight personal interests. In order to maintain connections, users will regularly update their target audience.

Harvard Business Review

Dutta, S. (2010) Managing Yourself: What's Your Personal Social Media Strategy? https://hbr.org/2010/11/managing-yourself-whats-your-personal-social-media-strategy

How do these differ?

Several distinctions can be drawn between professional and personal use of social media. In regards to the latter, subscribers may include posts that are emotional or relaxed in nature. Information that is shared does not necessarily abide by a set of particular guidelines like accuracy and the expectation of confidentiality.

On the other hand, information that aligns with professional use is limited, must be accurate and transparent. The user's goals and audience are linked to the company or business message. There is less freedom to say what you will and you must also be careful how you say it.

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Computer- Mediated Collective Action: The Power of Online Petitioning

Collective action can be achieved in several ways. "Petitioning has the potential to enact actual change, but it's also your fundamental right as an American citizen and an opportunity to connect with a community of like-minded people who are invested in making a change" (Petition the White House, 2020). Through an organized effort, the federal government was asked to call on Congress to act on the issue of stopping construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. Completion of the project would mean that the only natural water source to Native American reservations would be closed off.

On August 15, 2016 an online petition was created and posted asking for 100,000 signatures within 30 days. The communication between people using this form of technology was successful as their message was efficiently shared with a large audience simultaneously. In doing so, the goal was quickly met. The petition was signed by a total of 378,090 supporters within the allotted time frame. This collective action was also apart of an agenda to protect Native grounds from other like disruptions that would disturb the land, which is viewed by many as being sacred.

As a result, the following month, on September 9, the Department of Justice, Department of the Army, and Department of the Interior issued a statement announcing, "Construction of the pipeline on Army Corps' land bordering or under Lake Oahe will not go forward at this time" (C.S., 2016).

The action was reported in three different types of media. Apart from the online petition which explained the issue, actor Leonardo DiCaprio tweeted, "Standing with the Great Sioux Nation to protect their water and lands." He also provided a link to Change.Org and hashtagged #KeepInTheGround, which calls for keeping fossil fuels in the ground. In addition, a letter writing campaign was launched by academics, scientists, and museum curators who joined the movement against Dakota Access Pipeline construction. Together, these three media outlets spread the word to other population segments that may not have otherwise been aware of such a pressing issue.

Personally, news is consumed daily with the use of an Android mobile device. Bold-lettered headlines are scrolled through swiftly. The motion stops when a title or image appears that piques interest or is appealing.

This exercise differs from reading a newspaper, watching television, or listening on the radio because it is less time-consuming. There is no need to follow an entire broadcast, waiting for a particular topic to be discussed. Computer-mediated news is faster, easier to access and sort through to locate topics of interest. Generally, articles also include links which help consumers to do further research.

Computer-mediated communication has affected information exchange in a significant way. The shift away from old media like newspapers has its pros and cons. Users are inundated with information and are able to exchange reactions and ideas from around the world almost immediately. On the other hand, stories may be distorted due to the pressure of being in competition with other networks- to attract attention and increase viewership. In addition, users may be distracted by constant pop-up advertisements that interrupt their online experience. Therefore, there are real losses and gains attributed to advancements in technology.

References

Chow, L. (2016) Leonardo DiCaprio Stands with Great Sioux Nation to Stop Dakota Access Pipeline https://www.ecowatch.com/Leonardo-dicaprio-stands-with-great-sioux-nation-to-stop-dakota-access-pipeline-1891129155.html

C.S. (2020) https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/about

Ryzik, M. (2016) Musuem Officials and Archaeologist Sign Petition Against N. Dakota Pipeline www.nytimes.com/2016/09/22/arts/design/north-Dakota-oil-pipeline-museum-of