Social networks are one of the most powerful tools. Right from sharing pictures, writing an opinion to running a business, social networking sites have offered us a number of options. Sharing the information very quickly, communicating with family, friends, colleagues located across the globe in real-time has transformed the way we live our lives.
World is evolving, technology is fast-changing and these advancements are changing the way we worked before, the way we studied, the way we connected and communicated and also the way we did business. We are increasingly being exposed to new forms of media, new platforms to share, which have new rules and strategies to follow to keep up the pace. To make ourselves successful social media citizens or netizens, we have to educate ourselves and keep ourselves updated with the trends.
Developing the social media competencies will allow us to communicate suitably, to be aware of the happenings, to actively participate in discussions, to cooperate with others, and be able to communicate and share the information with the rest of the world.
Think critically
Social Media has become pervasive not just in our personal lives but also in our professional lives. We must think critically to evaluate messages, to understand why certain information was included and why certain information was not. This will help us differentiate and analyse information and disinformation.
Become a smart consumer
Become a smart consumer of products and content on social media platforms. Social Media has shaped the way we present ourselves to the world, the manner of social conduct and the way we collaborate and exchange views on the internet. Understand the intention behind providing certain information and its credibility.
Recognize point of view
Every piece of content has a message. Every creator has a point of view. We must be able to understand various points of view and recognize the author/creator’s perspective to understand the message better.
Differentiate between content
Right from memes to opinion pieces, every piece of content is trying to shape our thoughts and our understanding of the world. By identifying and differentiating between these we can stay informed as well as entertained without being tricked.
Learn more about the crisis management skills: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/crisis-management-skills/
These are some of the ways by which we can develop the skill of social media literacy. The skill of Social Media Literacy is part of the survival tool kit not just in the times of crisis but at all the times.
