Successes and Setbacks of Social Media

Book excerpt: Discover the real-life impacts of social media use through a collection of fascinating academic perspectives Successes and Setbacks of Social Media: Impact on Academic Life rigorously explores the positive and negative impacts of social media as a communication tool. The book incorporates a diverse group of opinions and perspectives, all of which reflect on how social media might influence academic success, relationships, self-worth, and engagement with virtual networks. Accomplished academic and editor Dr. Cheyenne Seymour delivers an insightful examination of the different ways that social media can catapult people into success or failure. Four key areas are explored: academics, authenticity, relationships, and self-worth. Each area contains a synthesis of the latest research, supplemented with contributions that explore the negative and positive aspects of each area. The editor also includes perspectives that discuss emerging technologies, the impact they have on social media, and the impacts they might have in the future. The book offers readers a wide variety of benefits, including: An informative synthesis of peer-reviewed research about the impact of social media on individuals today Chapters that investigate both positive and negative aspects of social media across multiple demographics and usage scenarios Illuminating reports on experiences with several social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat An analysis of potential future developments and emerging technologies in social media and the coming social and ethical concerns that might arise Perfect for advanced undergraduate and graduate level students across a variety of disciplines, but particularly in courses on social media, mass communication, relational communication, and strategic communication, Successes and Setbacks of Social Media also belongs on the bookshelves of anyone with even a passing interest in the real-world impacts of social media usage.