Difference between social and new media

Social media and new media are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Here's a breakdown of the differences:

Social Media:

Social media refers to online platforms that allow users to create and share content, connect with others, and engage in conversations. Examples of social media platforms include:

Social media is primarily focused on building and maintaining relationships, sharing personal experiences, and consuming content created by others. It's a two-way communication channel, where users can interact with each other, share opinions, and participate in discussions.

New Media:

New media, on the other hand, refers to digital media that has emerged since the widespread adoption of the internet and mobile devices. New media encompasses a broader range of digital platforms, including:

New media is characterized by its ability to reach a global audience, offer interactive experiences, and facilitate the creation and dissemination of user-generated content. New media is often used to disseminate information, share knowledge, and entertain audiences.

Key differences:

  1. Focus: Social media focuses on building relationships and sharing personal experiences, while new media focuses on disseminating information, sharing knowledge, and entertaining audiences.
  2. Content: Social media is primarily used for sharing personal content, such as photos, videos, and updates, while new media is used for sharing a wide range of content, including news, articles, videos, podcasts, and more.
  3. Interactivity: Social media is designed for two-way communication, while new media can be more one-way, with users consuming content created by others.
  4. Platform: Social media platforms are designed for social interaction, while new media platforms are designed for content consumption and creation.
  5. Purpose: Social media is often used for personal or social purposes, while new media is often used for professional, educational, or entertainment purposes.

In summary, while social media and new media are related, they have distinct differences in terms of focus, content, interactivity, platform, and purpose.