Social Networking vs Social Media?

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies the distinction between social media and social networking. Social networking refers to the broader concept of interconnected groups, which has existed since prehistoric times, while social media is a modern manifestation of social networking that utilizes digital platforms. Participants emphasized that social networks predate social media, and the confusion often arises from overlapping terminology. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding these definitions to avoid misconceptions in presentations and discussions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of social networking concepts
  • Familiarity with social media platforms
  • Basic knowledge of digital communication
  • Awareness of historical context regarding social interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the evolution of social networks from prehistoric times to modern platforms
  • Explore the functionalities of major social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
  • Study the impact of social media on communication and community building
  • Investigate the terminology differences between social media and social networking
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for educators, digital marketers, social media strategists, and anyone seeking to clarify the concepts of social media and social networking for effective communication and presentations.

ElectroViruz
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Hey guys, I was given a task which is to present how social media works. After hours of preparing materials, I realized that the materials I've prepared are on how social networks work.

Then I started to Google to understand the difference between Social Media and Social Network. However, different sources have different definitions, and it isn't very clear.

Could anyone please explain the difference ? When I Google "How social media works", all I get is 'Social Network' instead.

Your reply is very much appreciated :)

*I'm not a very bright person.
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
What does media mean to you?

Do you think there has ever been networking before the advent of Facebook and the like?
 
Social networks in some form have existed way back into prehistory.
A village community, or even some organised cave dwellers are a social network.
Modern social media websites are just a particular case of social networking.
 
rootone said:
Social networks in some form have existed way back into prehistory.
A village community, or even some organised cave dwellers are a social network.
Modern social media websites are just a particular case of social networking.
Rootone, did you figure I didn't know that? I was trying to lead HIM to that, not spoon feed him the answer.
 
My apologies, of course I expected you knew that phinds.
My intention was simply to directly answer the question, since I took it to be essentially just a question about clarification of English terminology.
 
rootone said:
My apologies, of course I expected you knew that phinds.
My intention was simply to directly answer the question, since I took it to be essentially just a question about clarification of English terminology.
Guess it could have been. I took it to be a more fundamental confusion, since he said he had read a fair amount about it but still didn't get it.
 
rootone said:
...I expected you knew that phinds.
Without a peer reviewed reference source... that statement could be considered speculation... :-p
 
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The way I see it is quite simple. Social networking now includes the use of social media.
 
ElectroViruz said:
I realized that the materials I've prepared are on how social networks work.

What were those materials about, specifically?
 
  • #10
rootone said:
Social networks in some form have existed way back into prehistory.
A village community, or even some organised cave dwellers are a social network.
Modern social media websites are just a particular case of social networking.

edward said:
The way I see it is quite simple. Social networking now includes the use of social media.

Thanks a bunch ! That clears up some things.

jtbell said:
What were those materials about, specifically?

Well it's basically how Social Networks work on the Internet. And yes, I have found my embarrassing mistake after all these replies.

I was naive enough to think that the term 'network' only applies to tech systems, and fail to recognize the actual definition of it which is "a group or system of interconnected PEOPLE or things."
 
  • #12
Greg Bernhardt said:
Social media is posted on a social network
Didn't you get that backwards? Social networks have been around since before social media existed. You are looking at it from the hardware point of view, I guess.
 
  • #13
phinds said:
Social networks have been around since before social media existed.
Could be a matter of definitions
 

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