A new world!

My first use of the internet was geared towards learning, playing dress up games, and creating characters in virtual worlds. In elementary school we were introduced to the internet as an alternative learning source through games to make the process more engaging and fun. The games varied in activities from math, science, reading, writing, vocabulary as well as games just for fun. One of my favorite games from that time (on the school allowed websites) was a math game where you had to solve all the problems to advance through, and if you didn’t, you would lose parts of your life for each incorrect answer. Years ago, around this same time, I would wake up enthusiastic on weekends because that was when my parents allowed us to go online for recreational use. I played games on Nickelodeon and Disney websites, dress up on Myscene, Star Doll and created characters in animated virtual worlds such as Meez and Millsberry.

As I grew older and the internet blossomed, I started to use social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr; although I don’t use twitter, I often see tweets on these platforms as well. I believe social media was used in a positive fashion for social movements of today such as Black Lives Matter and feminism. The Women’s March was held last January in New York City, I believe social media served as a positive effect for the march to inform millions about the march, where it was held, and helping those who could not attend feel connected as well. With social media being used during the event many can record and post the speech’s given during the march for the world to see and we also saw the unity of women regardless of race, sexual orientation, and occupation.

            In the future I can see social media becoming a form of career, many today have used social media to brand themselves in a way to become independent and jump start their career. Having a large social media following can lead to a fruitful career opening many doors. Social media can be the source of careers such as recording artist, Justin Bieber, through posting videos of himself as a child on YouTube before being discovered by Usher. Recording artist, Cardi B, who initially used Instagram as an outlet for funny commentary videos while gaining a following before launching her music career. Youtubers such as De’arra and Ken receive over a million hits on every video uploaded and receive thousands in revenue and YouTube opened the door for them to appear in films.

On platforms such as YouTube, one can profit from the amount of views they receive from each video. On Instagram many with a large following often post ads on their profiles to receive earnings and free items. These platforms as well as many others can provide a source for everyone to showcase their work and promote businesses. In my opinion social media has provided a new wave of entrepreneurship in America.