Are you a social networker? You know – a Facebooker? Do you Tweet? Do you blog? How about Instagram? Are you an Instagrammer? Or a Pinterest-er? Do you have a Pinterest account? And, most importantly, are you “LinkedIn?”
All of the above are forms of social media – the part of the Internet that has stormed the world. Just about everyone I know is a social networker in some form. (Except for my husband!)
I have Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook accounts. Oh, and I’m LinkedIn, too. I don’t ever tweet or check my Twitter account – it’s just not fun for me. And I forgot my password on LinkedIn, so it’s of no use. I love to check Pinterest and browse the gazillion things on that Web site, mostly at night when I’m relaxing. When it comes to Facebook, well, according to socialmediatoday.com, there are nine types of Facebookers. I fall into categories two and eight: I love the babies and grandbabies – that’s my age bracket – and the number one reason I don’t use Pinterest much anymore is I’m too busy playing Facebook games. I’m just being honest!
The jury’s decision on whether social networking is beneficial or detrimental is still out. But studies are being done. In my humble opinion, the outcome of social networking is based on how and why you use them.
I, for one, have several relatives that live across the United States (sisters, cousins, etc.), and I love being able to keep up with what they’re doing simply by picking up my computer and logging onto Facebook. I certainly don’t have time to call all of them, just as they don’t have time to call me. It’s convenient for all of us.
But there are some who get their daily dose of “I’m special” by using Facebook. There’s an abundance of articles on the diminishing effects of social media on a person’s view of themselves due to “smoasting” (social media boasting), FOMO (fear of missing out), and the degree of self-confidence from the number of likes and posts they receive.
All forms of social media are the way of communication for the future. The problem is we’re also creating future problems with how we handle it. It’s not “just for fun” – it’s out there for all to see and react to. As with all things, moderation and responsibility is the answer. Remember, there’s a down side to everything that seems “too good to be true.”
Below are the nine types of Facebookers identified by socialmedia.com.
1. The Stalker: This Facebook user has a hard time letting go of an ex. His or her favorite activity is stalking previous partners and prospective dates. He or she even logs on to the Facebook profiles of other people to stalk their friends. This person on average checks Facebook more than 14 times daily to stalk.
2. The Baby Boomer: This Facebook user heard about the social network from around the neighborhood or through colleagues. His or her favorite activity is commenting on the wall posts of his or her children. This person falls in 55-64 years old demographic.
3. The Newbie: The profile photo of this Facebook user is a selfie taken from a smartphone or tablet device. His or her favorite activity is “liking” or commenting on all things Facebook. This person on average clicks the Facebook Like button more than 14 times in one month.
4. The Over-Sharer: This Facebook user posts status updates about anything and everything all at once. His or her favorite activity is checking in in all the rooms of his or her house. This person belongs to the 4.8 million people who post their location daily, and the 4.7 million people who liked a page about health conditions or treatments.
5. The Brand Promoter: This Facebook user only shares news from his or her company. His or her favorite activity is work, work, work.
6. The Fearful User: The Facebook account of this user is in total security lockdown. His or her favorite activity is creating pseudonyms for privacy and digital disguise.
7. The Curator: This Facebook user uploads or shares the most viral videos on the Internet. His or her favorite activity is sharing cute cat photos, memes, or both in one status update.
8. The Gamer: This user has no other interaction on the platform other than Facebook games. His or her favorite activity is taking a rest from the sweetness of Candy Crush Saga to engage with livestock and vegetation in Farmville, and vice versa. This type of user accounts for 25 percent of all registered users on Facebook.
9. The Non-User: This Facebook user technically does not use the social network after registration. His or her favorite activity is meeting humans in the real world. These users account for 18 percent of all Facebook members.