Personal Social Media Audit Reflective observation

Abstract conceptualization

Most used websites

Device used

Time of the day using a specific website

Active experimentation

The usage of social media depends on the personal interests and priorities. There are various websites, blogs, content communities, and gaming zones categorized as internet-based social media. The users of social media often do not realize their patterns and number of hours spent in using social media. In order to understand the usage information a seven days diary was maintained. The analysis of diary entries provided an in-depth understanding of the situation. The reflection of observations, assessment of the findings and active experimentation is presented below.

Reflective observation:

Social media comprises of electronic tools, applications, websites, and various community-based blogs that attract the users. The users also utilize their email and contact numbers to share their profile information with contacts. It is also a medium that has increased social reach of its users and as a result it has become largest known social gathering places over internet. The capabilities of most social media websites to allow the users build their profiles and update their interests. The users also spend a lot of time surfing internet and updating their status, photos, and videos for contacts. These applications also allow the users to share their thoughts over social, political, economic, and educational thoughts. The availability of various social media websites and interests of its users are primary factors for popularity of these websites. During the week starting from Friday, 09-08-2013 until Friday, 15-09-2013 my social media usage is documented to understand the trend. I am a frequent user of certain apps and websites including Facebook, Twitter, WatsApp, and Instagram. The users of social media have different profiles and using patterns. The usage is also dependent on the available time and interests.The details of personal diary using social media are presented as following.

Days

Facebook

Twitter

WatsApp

Instagram

Zello

Game

YouTube

Skype

Total

Friday

15

30

Saturday

60

50

15

12

40

20

Sunday

95

10

30

15

10

Monday

40

35

15

Tuesday

70

30

20

25

25

30

Wednesday

25

7

25

Thursday

60

20

10

30

30

Friday

25

20

10

Total:

49

95

10

60

The usage of Facebook and twitter were dominant starting from morning, during lunch break, night, and late night session for Facebook were mainly during the free times. While chat on Facebook took long time and laptop was used for detailed surfing on Facebook. Total usage time for first Friday was approximately equal to the time spent on social media during second Friday. On Saturday more time was spent on social media doing a variety of things still Facebook taking most of time making the total time up to 3 hours and seventeen minutes. Sunday was an early starter and time spent on social media was 3 hours and 30 minutes. Monday was spent using social media for 3 hours and 35 minutes; most of the usage on Monday was of Facebook.

Tuesday started with 3: 20 minutes on social media using Facebook, Twitter, Instgram, Zello, Game, and Skype. Wednesday was a low activity day with only 2 hours and forty minutes on social media while most of the time spent was on Facebook. Thursday was again a low usage day with only 2 and half hours spent on internet. The next Friday I used social media apps for two hours and forty five minutes. The analysis of social media usage diary revealed that total 21 hours were spent using social media throughout the week. It also provided information that Facebook was used for 12 hours and fifteen minutes and twitter for three hours and thirty five minutes. WatsApp become third most used app and YouTube was used only for ten minutes throughout the week.

Abstract conceptualization:

The analysis of diary has reviled significant information with respect to the usage trends and most used websites. These trends were surprising for me that I spent almost twenty one hours in one week using social media. It is noticed that we do not know how much time is spent by students, professional, and travellers over the internet. The usage of smartphone and tablets has influenced our patterns. The availability of internet and offered speed has also provided a competitive advantage over other technologies. The users are also attracted towards easy to use technology. The availability of all notable...

The usage of all sorts of social media websites has various reasons and it is also targeted at various activities. The activities included viewing news feed of friends and family. The special attention is given to photos, comments, and chatting with online friends. Chatting with online friends is also done through Twitter, WatsApp, Instgram, Zello, and Skype is used for online free calls. The minimal time is dedicated for playing the game angry bird. Usage of YouTube for listening music and watch online videos is also minimal. WatsAap is a notable application for sending a short message to contacts across the world. It is also a free service allowing sharing of images and chat sessions. The availability of contacts is not necessary as the sent messages are displayed when contact is online.
Most used websites:

The review of diary provided insight about the most used website and least used application. Facebook was used most frequently and it was also used to comment and share pictures. It was also used to chat with friends. I used Facebook mostly using laptop for detailed news feed and comments for photos. Twitter has also increased the user interaction through sharing a short message across friends and followers. It is easily accessible through smartphones. WatsApp is also used for small intervals. The games are played almost every day but playing time is short as compared with other websites. YouTube is one the popular social media website however I used it only for ten minutes throughout the week.

Device used:

I use mobile device i.e. smartphone while traveling to surf internet. Laptop is also used to surf internet and use social media websites. Social media websites are used through smartphone while being in train, coffee shop, restaurant, and kitchen. Traveling in train and while dining in restaurant it is easier to use social media through smartphone. The usage of laptop for social media is mainly associated with the Facebook chat, checking online status, and viewing photos. It is noted that laptop is extensively used in the bedroom during night. It is easier to have a detailed view of photos and large screen enables to easily communicate with friends. Tablets are also used to surf social media websites extensively. It is also a useful device that has influenced social media users.

Time of the day using a specific website:

The time spent using social media sites are also different. It is noted that during the evening Facebook is extensively used through laptop. I have also noted that my daily usage of Facebook is exceeding almost one hour. It is valuable to be in touch with friends and family however more than one hour of time over Facebook can be replaced with other creative activities. During the working hours I am also found to be using social media websites for long periods. It distracts the attention and should be regulated that only free time is dedicated to social media.

The extensive record retrieved form diary and analysis has revealed various aspects of my social media usage. These patterns were not known to me earlier and I was of the opinion that I don't spend a lot of time using social media. While twenty one is a lot of time for only Facebook, Twitter, and WatsApp. I can channelize my usage for productive outcome including taking an online course. In night it is also necessary to dedicate extensive time for Facebook. The time can be shortened and reduced to a quick surfing session. The detailed change in behaviour and active experimentation is discussed as following.

Active experimentation:

The social media is categorized in three popular categories. These segments include content communities enabling the visitors to upload and share their videos i.e. YouTube and daily motion etc. The social media web pages and blogs are one of the most visited web pages that provide an effective way of interacting with loved ones. The third category is defined as gaming community on internet.

Smartphones has also enabled the users to connect with internet and use them as cell phones at the same time. Various operating systems and applications are developed for smart phones. Popular smartphone operating systems are IOS by Apple, Android, and Symbian for Nokia. The application denoted as smartphone apps are also developed according to the operating system specification. Smartphones, tablets, and laptops have increased internet access for uses and as a result the impact of social media is also increased. The extensive usage of social media is dependent on the user interests ranging from teenaged school going users, college students, and professionals working in various organizations. The social media blog websites i.e. twitter enable the users to share their thoughts and news across network. News feed, images, videos, documents, and status updates are mostly viewed by each user that login to the social media websites.

According to Kaplan & Haenlein (2010)increased usage of social media websites…