LiveJournal is a blogging platform that allows users to keep online diaries, also known as blogs, which provides the ability to publish your own and comment on other people's records, conduct collective blogs, add other users to friends and follow their records in the "friends feed".

LiveJournal combined blogging and social networking features inspired by the WELL, setting it apart from other blogging platforms.

The platform's history began when Brad Fitzpatrick transformed a journaling application he created and was using for himself into a website others could use as well, although the exact details of this transformation are not specified in the available documents.

At its peak, LiveJournal had a significant number of active accounts, with over 2.5 million active accounts reported at its peak in early 2005.

The principle of forming LiveJournal ratings has always been secretive, but it generally increases with more reads, comments, and likes, and decreases with less engagement, which may have impacted user behavior and popularity.

The rise of other social media platforms, such as Facebook, contributed to the decline of earlier social networking sites like Myspace and potentially LiveJournal.

The failure to adapt to changing trends and user preferences is a common factor in the decline of social media platforms, which could be applied to LiveJournal's case.

Intense competition and the emergence of more alternatives are major factors that contribute to the decline of social media platforms, which likely affected LiveJournal.

Access to LiveJournal was blocked in Kazakhstan from August 20, 2011, due to the distribution of materials containing signs of propaganda of terrorism and religious extremism, which may have impacted the platform's global user base.

The block was lifted on November 11, after the administration of LiveJournal removed the illegal materials from the platform, allowing users in Kazakhstan to access the site again.

LiveJournal plans to open a representative office in Kazakhstan and develop the Kazakhstan segment of the blogging platform, indicating efforts to expand and engage with its user base in specific regions.

However, the available documents do not provide a detailed historical analysis of LiveJournal's user base growth and decline, including notable milestones or events that impacted its popularity, suggesting that the platform's history and evolution may be complex and multifaceted.

The emergence of new social media platforms has led to a decline in the usage of older platforms like LiveJournal, as users migrate to newer platforms with more features and larger user bases.

The growth of social media platforms has been exponential, with over 128 sites in existence today, and Facebook remains the largest and most influential, boasting over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of 2021.

The rapid expansion of social media has been fueled by advancements in technology, particularly the proliferation of smartphones and mobile internet access, making social media more accessible and allowing users to connect and engage with others anytime, anywhere.

The decline of social media platforms can be attributed to the failure to adapt to changing trends, privacy concerns, intense competition, and the emergence of more alternatives.

The rise of other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, contributed to the decline of older platforms such as MySpace, Orkut, and Vine, which might have also affected LiveJournal.

LiveJournal is a blogging platform that allows users to keep online diaries, also known as blogs, which provides the ability to publish your own and comment on other people's records, conduct collective blogs, add other users to friends and follow their records in the "friends feed".

Title:

Content: LiveJournal is back in Kazakhstan
519
Anna VLADIMIROVA
Access to the "Live Journal" was restored after the administration of the LiveJournal blog platform executed the decisions of the judicial authorities of Kazakhstan on the removal of illegal materials posted on the resource.
Representatives of LiveJournal reported on the removal from the blogging platform of materials containing signs of propaganda of terrorism and religious extremism, public calls to commit acts of terrorism and the manufacture of explosive devices.
Earlier, the Saryarka court of Astana issued a decision to close access to the “Live Journal ” from August 20, 2011 due to the distribution of these materials.
As a result, the Committee of Communications, Informatization and Information of the Ministry of Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan decided to resume access to the resource on the territory of Kazakhstan from November 11 this year.
LiveJournal also plans to open a representative office in Kazakhstan and develop the Kazakhstan segment of the blogging platform.
For reference: “Live Journal ” is a blogging platform for keeping online diaries (blogs).
Provides the ability to publish your own and comment on other people ’ s records, conduct collective blogs (“communities ”), add other users to friends and follow their records in the“ friends feed ”.
Popular
All
More than 2,000 killed in Morocco earthquake
Kazakhstan - Northern Ireland: live broadcast of the match can be viewed at EXPO
Unfavorable weather conditions are expected in two cities of Kazakhstan
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Kazakhstanis on Family Day
Morocco declares three days of mourning for earthquake victims
Kazakhstan chess players made their way to the semifinals of the World Cup 2023
A powerful causative agent of tumor growth was vitamin C
The Ministry of Emergency Situations told the details of the fire in the bath complex in Almaty
In the south-east of Turkey fell meteorite
Cristiano Ronaldo's New World Record
Kazakhstan became the champion of tennis tournament in Prague
Shootout in a cafe in Almaty: the state of the victims told in the city health
Two visitors of the cafe were injured in a shootout in Almaty
Three people were burned in a fire in Astana
It was a drought, and now it rains.
A benevolent atom
A number of tasks were set for the new akim of Aktobe region
The archive that filmmakers have been waiting for
Heavy rains flooded Las Vegas
Tokayev appointed the head of the new Ministry of Industry and Construction
Shandong is the third trade regional partner of Kazakhstan in China
Creativity is now at a price.
Impostor Trash
Tens of thousands of people are stuck at the festival in the United States because of the rains
Typhoon Haikui is approaching Taiwan
Businessmen want to pay for water as pensioners
Fair within Days of Culture of Tajikistan in Kazakhstan to be held in Astana
Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan spoke about wearing the hijab in schools
Kazakhstanis will be able to transfer license plates to the new owner online
Muza Kayuma Mukhamedkhanova
"Golden mine" in the vicinity of Maralda
How to learn a language and make friends
Presidents Tokayev and Rahmon visited the Main Mosque of Astana
Dinmukhamed Kunaev: I believe in my people, their future is bright
Where to watch live the fight Kosobutsky - Adjagba
A foreigner who was on the run for 15 years was detained in Astana
The fire at the mine "Kazakhstan": what kind of help will the affected miners receive
Rescuers found a tourist missing in the mountains of Kok-Zhailau
Behind the wheel of a service car and without a license removed a relative of a police chief in Shymkent
Residents of Semey demand to cancel the entrance fee to the cemetery
Tajik citizens arrested in Almaty for robbery
In Semey, the memory of the victims of nuclear tests was honored
Dead girl found mushroom pickers in Kostanay region
Double murder in Arys: detained the alleged customer and executors
5-year-old niece beaten by girl in Astana – reaction of police and children ’ s ombudsman
A military driver saved a teenage girl from suicide in Astana
Read also
Pricing in life
I swear I will burn my tongue!
Another palace.
Icebreaker
Do not deprive the living space
Archive
• [[year]]
• [[month.label]]
• [[day]]

After Russian users could no longer use foreign social networks, where did they post their blogs?

LiveJournal combined blogging and social networking features inspired by the WELL, setting it apart from other blogging platforms.

Title:

Content: Regulators Seem to Think That Facebook Is the Internet

That’s a problem.

In 1997, SixDegrees.com was the first real attempt at social networking, creating a space where users could upload their information and list their friends. The site peaked at approximately 3.5 million users before it shut down in 1999.

Since then, a series of social networking business models have emerged, each time offering more advanced tools for user interaction. LiveJournal, a site for keeping up with school friends, combined blogging and social networking features inspired by the WELL; Friendster was a social network that allowed for increased interaction and control by users; Myspace had open membership and gave users the freedom to customize their pages. In 2005, it—and its 25 million user base—was sold to News Corp. But within three years, Myspace had been surpassed by Facebook, which launched in 2004 for college students and opened to everyone in 2006.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

As that history shows, in the early days of the internet, disruption was profound and constant: New companies emerged in music, video, e-commerce, publishing, and telephony on an almost yearly basis. The internet appeared to be a space where competition could thrive.

Not anymore.

Today, disruption happens in much smaller ways. The examples are getting fewer because economies of scale have concentrated innovation in the hands of a few players.

More often, disruption comes from regulation—for better or, often, for worse. Current regulation attempts focus on the actions and behavior of some actors—chiefly Facebook—while creating unintended consequences for the internet, particularly fragmentation, or the splintering of the global internet into one that more closely hews territorial borders.

Advertisement

It’s understandable that both the public and regulators might think that regulating “the internet” means focusing on the biggest players. Much of it has to do with the fact that users are often exposed to various types of illegal behavior and content through some of the most popular services that exist on the internet. Fix misinformation, or extremism, or ideological silos, or security on Facebook, the thinking goes, and you’ve fixed it on the internet as a whole.

Advertisement

But this is an unhelpful and misguided narrative. First, the internet is not a monolith, so treating it as if it is simply will not work. Second, many of the issues regulators are trying to address are not internet problems; they are societal. Terrorism, child abuse, and mis- and disinformation are not an offspring of the internet; they existed before the internet, and they will continue to exist after it as they are ingrained in human societies. Yet, they are treated as if they are exclusively internet problems. Third, and most importantly, regulators should stop thinking of the internet as Facebook and treating it as such. In the internet regulatory landscape, there is a mixed bag of different issues, and Facebook’s involvement in all of them, direct or indirect, adds to the current complexity. Content moderation, privacy, intermediary liability, competition, encryption—these are all broader issues related to the internet, not just Facebook. Yet, the pattern that has emerged is to treat them as Facebook issues. What this means is that, instead of focusing on trying to address them in ways appropriate for the entire internet ecosystem, they are addressed through the Facebook lens. This has been quite accurately characterized as the “Facebook Derangement Syndrome.”

Advertisement
Advertisement

The global regulatory agenda is replete with such examples. In the United Kingdom, the Online Safety legislation wants to ban end-to-end encryption because of Facebook’s plan to introduce it as a default setting in its Messenger service. On the other side of the Commonwealth, Australia recently introduced a media bargaining code mainly targeting Facebook. Facebook famously “left” the country before renegotiating a new agreement. Similarly, in what seems to be a coordinated effort, Canada has vowed to work with Australia in an attempt to impose regulatory restrictions on Facebook.

And this trend is not limited to the Commonwealth.

India’s new intermediary guidelines aim at tightening a regulatory grip on Facebook and its partner company WhatsApp while Brazil’s fake news bill, which got approved by the Senate, is focusing on content moderation on Facebook and traceability on WhatsApp. In France, there have been conversations about the introduction of “new rules” for Facebook, while Germany’s Network Enforcement Law—NetzDG—was drafted with the primary focus of taming Facebook. Finally, in the United States, the Trump administration issued an unsuccessful executive order that aimed to regulate Facebook for bias.

Advertisement

This approach of limiting regulation to Facebook is not entirely unusual. It reflects the principal-agent conundrum that, over the years, has allowed companies like Facebook to  propose policies and deploy tools that can have an impact on the way regulation gets to be enforced. The principal-agent problem is predominantly characterized by conflict of interest and moral hazards. Due to information asymmetries, the agent holds the bargaining power, and this creates a few unknowns: The principal is in no position to know the information the agent holds. Even when she does, she cannot be certain that the agent is acting to her best interest. So, the principal ends up focusing squarely on the agent, disregarding any peripheral issues that might be significant.

Advertisement
Advertisement

The principal-agent problem may help explain why governments appear ready to introduce regulation targeting Facebook; however, it does not help explain why, in the process of doing so, the main loser is the internet and its users.

Over the past couple of years, Facebook has said, “We support regulation,” and “we want updated internet regulations to set clear guidelines for addressing today’s toughest challenges.” This statement would be significant if it did not come across as self-serving. At this stage, regulation is inescapable and Facebook knows it—as does the rest of big tech. In an effort to adapt to this new reality, companies often take advantage of their dominant position to drive regulatory processes, often at the expense of regulation itself.

Advertisement

In this context, the question we should be asking is not whether regulation is appropriate, but what are the real implications of regulating in such a manner? There is already an argument that focusing on a few, big players has an impact on the health of innovation and the ability of newcomers to compete. And, then, there is the internet. The internet’s global reach is one of its main strengths. It is a feature, not a bug. Among other things, it allows the maintenance of supply chains all over the world; it allows people to communicate; it lowers costs; and it makes information sharing easier, all the while helping to address societal issues like poverty or climate change.

Advertisement
Advertisement

To this end, the attempt to regulate based on one—or a handful—of companies can jeopardize this very important goal of the internet. It can create fragmentation, in the sense of not allowing data to flow across borders or networks to interconnect, and this can be very real and have a very big impact. It can impose limits on the way information and data gets to be shared and the way networks may interoperate. These are significant trade-offs, and they must be part of any regulation’s process.

Advertisement

So where do we go from here?

For sure, the answer cannot be to stop regulating. We must accept, however, that the current approach often generates unintended consequences that only superficially affect those who must be regulated.

In this light, a possible way forward is to experiment with regulation. Experimental regulation is a relatively underused approach, yet it is flexible enough to accommodate dynamic markets, like the internet. Originally associated with the work of John Dewey, this idea is premised on the fact that, in policymaking, the way we approach theories and strategies of justice depends on “the experience of their pursuit; it is these changes that then allow us to consider how best to achieve our objectives.” The advantage of this thinking is that it considers unintended consequences as an opportunity to better define appropriate regulatory frameworks and how to achieve the desired goals.

Advertisement

Internet regulation does not experiment enough, and when it does, it appears to have the wrong focus. In Australia, for instance, the effort to ensure robust journalism in an age of disinformation in social media platforms led to a “link tax” that undermines the architecture, history, and economics of the internet. This is partly due to the role big tech companies play in the regulatory process. One of the immediate things one can observe with internet regulation is the process some actors deploy: In the beginning, they operate in favor of sustaining existing policies and bureaucracies. The thinking is that longevity brings legitimacy, and as a result, the policy becomes its own cause. Once this strategy is embedded in process, these powerful forces move toward pushing their own regulatory agenda.

Advertisement

It is for this reason that there is a certain appeal toward flexible regulatory systems that allow different units to experiment with different approaches and make room for assessments that separate the relevant from the nonrelevant and preexisting rules. Although experimentation neither offers a drastic approach nor aims to replace traditional routes of regulation, it can limit the risks of politicization, as politics become more context focused.

One of the first things we need is an internet impact assessment that looks at the different parts of the internet’s infrastructure and the effect that regulation may have. It is no longer just about regulating a few actors. It is about protecting the global infrastructure that we all depend on daily.

The internet has a Facebook problem, but the internet is not Facebook.

This article represents the views of the author and not those of his employer, the Internet Society. Facebook is an organization member of the Internet Society.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.

Advertisement

The platform's history began when Brad Fitzpatrick transformed a journaling application he created and was using for himself into a website others could use as well, although the exact details of this transformation are not specified in the available documents.

At its peak, LiveJournal had a significant number of active accounts, with over 2.5 million active accounts reported at its peak in early 2005.

The principle of forming LiveJournal ratings has always been secretive, but it generally increases with more reads, comments, and likes, and decreases with less engagement, which may have impacted user behavior and popularity.

Title:

Content: Opinion: Rating in Russian
27.05.2022, 22: 21, Miscellaneous
Subscribe to Telegram channel
Subscribe to Google News
Starting from February 24, interesting metamorphoses occur with my LJ rating (trifle, but unpleasant).
LiveJournal, apparently, defined me as an “unreliable ” user – and therefore he is just monotonically declining.
Of course, the principle of forming LiveJournal ratings has always remained a terrible military and commercial secret, but the general principle could be caught: if you are read a lot, your posts have a lot of comments and likes, the rating increases; if you read a little, there are no comments, or you do not write anything at all, the rating decreases.
It's kind of simple.
But with the beginning of the war, LiveJournal not only introduced censorship and canceled anonymous names, but also, it seems, revised the principle of rating.
Now the “unreliable ” users ratings simply decline no matter what.
I noticed it back in April – when on one of the posts (about AvtoVAZ) there was almost a record attendance – 75 thousand per day, about 1000 comments – and the rating, as if nothing had happened, continued to decline.
I am almost certain that the LJ algorithm has a restriction, according to which it by default believes that “Shoemaker writes nothing ”; accordingly, every day my personal rating gradually dries up, although I still have, even in conditions of censorship and general militaristic insanity, extremely“ fruitful ” posts.
All this is understandable – LJ, while he was “in the shadows ” and outside the attention of the“ ideologists ” of the regime, lovingly debugged his mechanisms of work and brought them almost to perfection, but when censors and censorship came, it breaks everything down in a few months, since the mechanisms were made with an emphasis on the objectivity of measurements, and no objectivity of ideology is needed.
I just don ’ t understand why it ’ s so half-hearted.
With other "unreliable" treated much cooler.
Kungurov was simply squeezed out of LiveJournal, Nikonov was squeezed out, Mitrich ’ s rating was simply halved in one fell swoop, Alex Rozoff was driven somewhere in the end of the first rating hundred (although his posts are read and discussed in the same way, if not more than before the sad Free Date) – and my rating is just slowly and sadly “blown away ” (about minus 8 thousand points), and almost ceased to include posts in the Top.
The only thing is that I ’ m treated about the same as El Murid: he ’ s also “slowly and sadly ” losing in the rankings, although his posts are read almost more than mine (but since we have the same rate of fall in the“ they write nothing ” mode, I can ’ t fall lower than him).
These are the ratings quirks.
Source: Reflections of a Free Sociologist
View commentsNo comments
Privacy Policy - GDPR
Site map →
For information cooperation, advertising and publication of ads, write to the address: [email protected]
Support the project:
UMoney- 410011013132383
WebMoney – Z399334682366, E296477880853, X100503068090
18 + © 2002-2021 RYBINSKonLine: All you wanted to know...

How is a writer on LiveJournal ostensibly rated reliable?

The rise of other social media platforms, such as Facebook, contributed to the decline of earlier social networking sites like Myspace and potentially LiveJournal.

The failure to adapt to changing trends and user preferences is a common factor in the decline of social media platforms, which could be applied to LiveJournal's case.

Title:

Content: 23 / 06 / 2023 - 13: 25
The rise and fall of social networking sites: major projects that have faded over the past years
In recent years, the Internet has seen the rapid rise and subsequent disappearance of social media platforms, which according to studies can be attributed to the failure to adapt to changing trends, privacy concerns, intense competition, and the emergence of more alternatives.
(Getty)
The rapid development of the digital age has brought many changes to the ways of communication over the past years, as the Internet world has witnessed the rise and fall of various communication sites, platforms that once flourished and flourished but eventually faded into oblivion.
In recent years, the Internet has seen the rapid rise and subsequent disappearance of social media platforms, which according to studies can be attributed to the failure to adapt to changing trends, privacy concerns, intense competition, and the emergence of more alternatives, which also indicate the rapid pace of technological progress and the need for continuous innovation.
MySpace has enjoyed unprecedented popularity during the mid-2000s, providing users with a platform to connect, share media and express themselves creatively, however, the decline of MySpace began when Facebook emerged as a dominant force in the social media landscape, studies show that MySpace failed to adapt to the changing preferences of their user base. This resulted in a loss of relevance and decreased user engagement.
Launched in 2004, Orkut was a pioneer in social networking, particularly in countries such as Brazil and India, and despite its early success, Orkut struggled to combat spam, privacy concerns and the rise of rival platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
As studies indicate, the lack of innovation and failure to address these issues eventually led to their demise in 2014, which also happened with the site "First Messenger" which was once an integral part of the lives of many people on the Internet, allowing users to communicate in real time and facilitate conversations and enhance communication between users. Like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger, they have wiped out the site ’ s last hope of survival, amidst this massive and rapid technological development.
In 2011, Google Plus was launched, which was aimed at competing with Facebook and creating a social network within Google ’ s ecosystem, and despite the company ’ s vast resources, it failed to attract a large user base, which led to the fall of the application in 2019, which led to the company ’ s closure of the project due to a decline in the number of users.
In another example, Vine had gained immense popularity with its unique six-second videos, which served as a breeding ground for budding creators and led to numerous viral trends, however, Vine ’ s downfall is attributed to its failure to monetize content effectively, and the emergence of rival and powerful platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat.
Delicious is a harsh example of the fall of a social media platform, where the site faced major challenges due to the lack of effective monetization strategies, and the emergence of new competitors on the platform, which led to a sharp decline in the user base, and ultimately sold and re-launched, under new ownership.

Intense competition and the emergence of more alternatives are major factors that contribute to the decline of social media platforms, which likely affected LiveJournal.

Access to LiveJournal was blocked in Kazakhstan from August 20, 2011, due to the distribution of materials containing signs of propaganda of terrorism and religious extremism, which may have impacted the platform's global user base.

The block was lifted on November 11, after the administration of LiveJournal removed the illegal materials from the platform, allowing users in Kazakhstan to access the site again.

LiveJournal plans to open a representative office in Kazakhstan and develop the Kazakhstan segment of the blogging platform, indicating efforts to expand and engage with its user base in specific regions.

However, the available documents do not provide a detailed historical analysis of LiveJournal's user base growth and decline, including notable milestones or events that impacted its popularity, suggesting that the platform's history and evolution may be complex and multifaceted.

The emergence of new social media platforms has led to a decline in the usage of older platforms like LiveJournal, as users migrate to newer platforms with more features and larger user bases.

Title:

Content: What happened to MySpace and Hi5, the social networks that ruled the world but failed
Currently, Hi5 is a platform similar to Tinder, where you can also enjoy online social games.
The growth of social networks has certainly been exponential in recent years, and it ’ s only worth taking a look at how much they ’ ve changed 15 years ago to see which ones are in progress, and all the new projects that are so integral to people ’ s daily lives today.
The vast majority of people have been able to see the growth of giants like Facebook and certainly Hi5MySpace.
Next, Infobae brought two of the most popular social networks that were no longer available, but they were pioneers in connecting people through the internet.
What happened to MySpace, and why it didn ’ t succeed in the rise of social media
Myspace is a platform that was born in 2003 and has won glory among people over the years.
Eight years after its debut, the network had 33 million visitors in the United States
From 2005 to 2008, Myspace became the most visited social network in the world because it was also one of the earliest social networks.
However, with the advent of new web pages and portals, their popularity has declined markedly, especially in Latin America
While it ’ s still one of the most visited platforms, everything changed with the advent of Mark Zuckerberg ’ s Facebook, which grew from 1,600 to just 200 people in two years.
The photo blogging platform is very popular among teenagers; although it is available to all who have an email address. MySpace is based in Argentina, which greatly helps that most of its users are from Latin America, as is Hi5, which will be discussed later.
In addition to photo sharing features, the site offers services such as private messaging font size settings, background and link colors.
Another function of the social network is to place lists of images and files that are more important to people ’ s personal lives; such as sports, TV shows, music, and links that users visit regularly.
Another important message that didn ’ t quite like the platform ’ s users was that MySpace had a deal with Google that doubled the number of ads on its site.
MySpace ’ s crowded ad design is actually dizzying compared to Facebook ’ s streamlined offerings.
What happened to the social network Hi5 that conquered Latin America
Founded in 2003 by Ramu Yalamanchi, the social network has been a worldwide success, accumulating more than 70 million registered users four years later.
At its peak, the platform became one of the 40 most visited websites in the world, especially in Latin America.
However, its popularity did not become a completely different idea: the development of video games. In 2010, hi5 was no longer a social network, but became part of the social gaming world; however, after registering nearly 3 billion visits a month, the site dropped to just 46 million.
Because of this, it was sold to Tagged.
Then, when a person presses the following link, they will realize that the interface is no longer the same. When trying to access and restore the account, the system will show that the message is no longer active.
However, you can still create new profiles.
There are five options, namely “Know Me ”,“ Explore ”, “Inbox ”,“ Play ” and “Profile ”:
- Know me like a spark; a profile that can be accepted or rejected.
- In "Browse" there are multiple profiles, you can choose one and contact the person.
“It ’ s part of the game.
- "Inbox" is a private message, and personal information is the user's personal information.
So if the user at some point considered the possibility of restoring the photo, that would no longer be possible.
All that ’ s left is a memory of the years of using Hi5, when schoolchildren came home from school and they could spend hours editing profiles in front of their computers, using different options to set backgrounds, long clothes, GIFs, and other tools.
Continue reading

The growth of social media platforms has been exponential, with over 128 sites in existence today, and Facebook remains the largest and most influential, boasting over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of 2021.

Title:

Content: MenuWallOpinions
Articles

Social Media: The great connector and its hidden truths

File photo

Sat, 22 Apr 2023 Source: Maxwell Investments Group

The Internet has undeniably changed how we live, work, and communicate. Since its inception, it has played a pivotal role in transforming lives and societies across the globe.

From revolutionising access to information to connecting people worldwide, the Internet has broken down barriers and created once unimaginable opportunities. Its evolution from a static network to a dynamic hub of diverse content created by everyone has been astounding.

In recent years, the rise of social media has become a particularly significant phenomenon. Boasting an impressive 4.7 billion users as of 2021, which accounts for 59% of the world's population, social media has become an integral part of our lives and has an immense impact on businesses and individuals.

Initially, the Internet was primarily a static network where users could access information but had limited means to contribute or interact with the content. However, as the technology evolved and became more accessible, users began to create and share their content, giving rise to a more interactive and collaborative space. This shift has been most evident in the emergence and growth of social media platforms.

Social media platforms have gained traction at an exponential rate, offering a space for users to connect, share ideas, and communicate with others from all corners of the world. The statistics are staggering, with billions of users engaging on various platforms daily. This unprecedented level of connectivity has led to a profound impact on how we live, work, and even perceive the world around us.

The widespread adoption of social media has transformed how businesses and individuals interact, opening doors for new opportunities, marketing strategies, and revenue streams.

As a result, companies are increasingly leveraging social media platforms to reach, engage, and retain their target audience. Simultaneously, individuals use these platforms for personal growth, networking, and connecting with friends and family.

However, the rise of social media usage also comes with its own set of challenges and concerns. Privacy, fake news, and cyberbullying have become more prevalent, demanding greater attention from governments, businesses, and users.

The Internet's journey from a static network to a dynamic hub of diverse content, powered by the rise of social media usage, has indelibly changed our lives and societies.

As we embrace the possibilities and face the challenges of this digital landscape, it is crucial to remain vigilant and informed about the potential impacts and opportunities.

I. THE EMERGENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The rapid rise of social media has been nothing short of a global phenomenon, with individuals and businesses embracing its numerous benefits and applications. As a result, social media has become an integral aspect of our digital lives by allowing users to create, share, and exchange information, ideas, and thoughts through online communities and networks.

A. Definition and Purpose

Social media is a computer-based technology that facilitates sharing ideas, thoughts, and information by creating virtual networks and communities. By design, social media platforms are interactive and user-driven, allowing people to engage with others, share their experiences, and express themselves in various ways.

The ultimate purpose of social media is to connect people, foster relationships, and facilitate communication between individuals, groups, and organisations.

B. User Demographics

Social media platforms tend to attract diverse users, with some platforms skewing towards specific demographics. Social media users generally tend to be younger, better educated, and relatively wealthy compared to the broader population.

This is particularly true for platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, which have a younger user base. However, as social media continues to grow and evolve, it is increasingly being adopted by older age groups and users with varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

C. The Growth of Social Media Platforms

The growth of social media platforms has been exponential, with over 128 sites in existence today. Among these platforms, Facebook remains the largest and most influential, boasting over 2.8 billion monthly active users as of 2021. Other major platforms include Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Snapchat, each with unique features and a user base.

The rapid expansion of social media has been fuelled by advancements in technology, particularly the proliferation of smartphones and mobile internet access. As a result, social media has become more accessible, allowing users to connect and engage with others anytime, anywhere.

Social media's emergence has profoundly impacted various aspects of our lives, from personal relationships to business practices. It has revolutionised how we communicate, access information, and share experiences, ultimately transforming how we interact with the world around us. As social media continues to evolve and grow, it will undoubtedly continue to shape our societies and businesses in new and exciting ways.

II. SOCIAL MEDIA IN GHANA

In recent years, Ghana has witnessed significant growth in social media usage, with the number of users reaching an impressive 8.8 million. This surge in social media adoption has changed how Ghanaians communicate and interact with one another and has created many opportunities for businesses and the broader economy.

A. The Rise of Social Media Users in Ghana

The number of social media users in Ghana has grown exponentially, reaching 8.8 million people as of 2021. This increase in adoption can be attributed to the rapid expansion of mobile phone usage and affordable internet access, which have made social media platforms more accessible to a larger population.

As a result, social media has become an integral part of daily life for many Ghanaians, who use these platforms to connect with friends and family, share experiences, and access information.

B. WhatsApp: The Most Widely Subscribed Social App in Ghana

Among the numerous social media platforms available, WhatsApp has emerged as the most widely subscribed app in Ghana. With its user-friendly interface, free messaging and calling features, and end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp has become the go-to app for Ghanaians to communicate with friends, family, and business contacts.

In addition to its popularity for personal use, WhatsApp has also been embraced by Ghanaian businesses as a powerful marketing and communication tool. Businesses leverage the app to connect with customers, share updates and promotions, and provide customer support, ultimately enhancing their reach and engagement.

The widespread use of social media in Ghana has profoundly impacted the country's social, cultural, and economic landscape. As more Ghanaians continue to embrace these platforms, it is expected that social media will continue to play a critical role in connecting people, fostering business growth, and shaping the country's future.

III. THE BENEFITS OF SOCIAL MEDIA

The remarkable growth of social media has brought many benefits for individuals and businesses alike. These platforms have transformed how we communicate and share information and have become essential personal and professional growth tools.

A. The Personal Benefits of Social Media

For individuals, social media offers countless advantages, such as:

1. Staying connected with friends and family: Social media platforms enable people to keep in touch with loved ones nearby, bridging distances and fostering a sense of closeness.

2. Networking for job prospects: Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn have become indispensable tools for job seekers and employers, helping connect talent with opportunities and build professional relationships.

3. Self-expression and creativity: Social media platforms allow individuals to express their thoughts, ideas, and creative endeavours, allowing users to share their passions and interests with a global audience.

B. The Business Benefits of Social Media

Businesses have also reaped the rewards of social media usage, utilising these platforms for a range of functions, including:

1. Locating and interacting with customers: Businesses can harness the power of social media to connect with their target audience, engaging with existing customers and attracting new ones through targeted campaigns and content.

2. Promoting products and services: Social media offers a cost-effective and efficient way to promote products and services, allowing businesses to reach a broad audience and generate buzz around their brand.

3. Tracking consumer trends: Social media platforms provide businesses with invaluable insights into consumer preferences, enabling them to stay ahead of the competition and tailor their offerings to meet evolving customer needs.

4. Providing customer support: Businesses can leverage social media to offer swift and efficient customer service, addressing queries, concerns, and feedback in real-time and improving overall customer satisfaction.

C. The Blending of Social Interactions on E-Commerce Sites and Client Communication

The advent of social media has also led to a convergence between e-commerce and social interactions. Online retailers increasingly incorporate social media features into their websites, allowing customers to share product recommendations, reviews, and experiences with their networks.

This integration of social media and e-commerce not only enhances the shopping experience for customers but also helps businesses to foster a sense of community and trust, ultimately driving sales and fostering brand loyalty.

Social media has emerged as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth, offering many benefits for individuals and businesses. As these platforms continue to evolve and expand, their influence on how we connect, communicate, and conduct business is expected to grow even further.

IV. THE HIDDEN RISKS AND DARK SIDE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

While social media undoubtedly benefits individuals and businesses, it also harbours a darker side that cannot be ignored. When misused or overused, these platforms can lead to adverse consequences, both for users and society.

A. The Impact on Mental Health and Well-being

Increased time spent on social media can contribute to a range of mental health issues, including:

1. Anxiety: Constantly comparing oneself to others online can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and anxiety, leading to a negative self-image.

2. Lack of sleep: Excessive use of social media, particularly before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to poor sleep quality and insomnia.

4. Depression: Overusing social media platforms can contribute to feelings of isolation and loneliness, increasing the risk of depression.

B. The Perils of Online Behaviour

Social media platforms can also be a breeding ground for harmful behaviours and practices, such as:

1. Trolling: Malicious users, or 'trolls', often target others online, posting inflammatory and offensive comments to provoke a response.

2. Privacy breaches: Sharing personal information on social media platforms can put users at risk of privacy breaches, leading to identity theft and other cybercrime.

3. Fake news: The rapid dissemination of false information on social media platforms can have significant consequences, influencing public opinion.

4. Cyberbullying: The anonymity provided by social media can encourage users to engage in harmful behaviour, such as cyberbullying, causing emotional distress and even leading to tragic consequences.

C. Baccarella et al.'s (2018) Honeycomb Framework

In their 2018 study, Baccarella et al. introduced the honeycomb framework to explore the dark side of social media. This framework consists of seven building blocks, each with its potential dark sides or risks:

1. Identity: While social media allows users to create and maintain an online persona, it can also contribute to creating fake profiles and catfishing.

2. Conversations: While online discussions can foster connections, they can also enable trolling and cyberbullying.

3. Sharing: The ease of sharing content online can lead to the rapid spread of fake news and misinformation.

4. Presence: The ability to track users' online activity can result in privacy concerns and stalking incidents.

5.Relationships: Social media facilitates relationship-building but can contribute to superficial connections and diminished face-to-face interactions.

6.Reputation: Online reviews and feedback can help businesses improve, but they can also be manipulated or falsified, leading to an inaccurate portrayal of a brand's reputation.

7.Groups: Online communities can provide support and connection but also foster echo chambers and radicalisation.

While social media offers many advantages, it is crucial to remain aware of its hidden risks and potential dark side. By using these platforms responsibly and educating users about potential dangers, we can mitigate the negative impacts and harness the full potential of social media for the betterment of individuals and society.

V. REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL MEDIA'S DARK SIDE

The dark side of social media is not merely a theoretical concept but manifests in real-world incidents with far-reaching implications. Here are a few examples that demonstrate the potential dangers of social media platforms.

A. Reddit: Threats, Bullying, and "Internet Witch Hunts"

1.Reddit, a popular online community platform, has often faced criticism for hosting controversial content and enabling aggressive behaviour. The site has become notorious for "internet witch hunts", where users band together to expose and vilify individuals for perceived wrongdoings, often without verified information. This can lead to harassment, public shaming, and, in some cases, irreversible damage to the targeted person's reputation and well-being.

2.The platform has also seen incidents of threats and bullying, with users posting harmful content and engaging in targeted harassment. Reddit has implemented policies to address these issues, but the sheer volume of user-generated content can challenge effective moderation.

B. Sharing Incorrect Content and the Risk to Reputation

1. Incorrect information can spread rapidly on social media, with potentially dire consequences. In 2013, a false tweet about an explosion at the White House caused a temporary stock market crash, wiping billions of dollars in market value within minutes.

2. Businesses can also suffer reputational damage when incorrect content circulates on social media. For example, in 2017, United Airlines faced a public relations crisis when a video of a passenger being forcibly removed from an overbooked flight went viral. The incident sparked widespread outrage and led to a significant drop in the company's stock value.

C. Relationship-Related Risks: Online Harassment, Stalking, and Cyberbullying

1. Social media platforms can facilitate the development of relationships but can also become breeding grounds for harmful behaviours such as online harassment, stalking, and cyberbullying.

2.The case of Amanda Todd, a Canadian teenager who took her own life after being tormented by cyber bullies, highlights the devastating impact that online harassment can have on an individual's mental health.

3. Social media stalking is another serious issue, with perpetrators using platforms to monitor, intimidate, and harass their targets. In a high-profile case in the UK, a stalker used social media to torment his victim for years, leading to her suffering from anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

These real-world examples underscore the importance of understanding and addressing the dark side of social media. By raising awareness of these risks, promoting responsible online behaviour, and implementing effective platform moderation, we can work towards creating a safer and more positive online environment for all.

VI. ROUNDING UP

The Internet of Things and social media has undoubtedly revolutionised how we communicate, connect, and engage with the world around us. With an astounding 4.7 billion users across more than 200 social media sites globally, it is evident that these platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. Users spend nearly three hours daily browsing, sharing, and interacting on social media.

While the benefits of social media are undeniable, offering opportunities for individuals and businesses alike to network, share ideas, and stay informed, it is crucial to remain aware of the hidden risks and potential hazards associated with these platforms. As explored throughout this article, social media can have a dark side, manifesting in privacy breaches, cyberbullying, and the spreading of misinformation.

As users, we must educate ourselves about the potential dangers of social media and engage in responsible online behaviour. This includes being mindful of the content we share, our interactions, and our time on these platforms. By doing so, we can work towards creating a more positive, inclusive, and safe online environment for all.

In addition, governments, regulators, and social media companies need to work together to establish and enforce policies that mitigate risks and promote user safety.

This may involve investing in more effective moderation tools, implementing stricter privacy settings, and promoting digital literacy programs that empower users to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.

In conclusion, social media has indelibly transformed the landscape of communication and information sharing. By striking a balance between its advantages and addressing its inherent risks, we can harness the full potential of these platforms while minimising the negative consequences of their misuse.

I hope you found the article enjoyable.

I always appreciate the feedback. If you have any topics you'd like me to cover or share my thoughts on, don't hesitate to suggest them. You can schedule a time via my Calendly at calendly.com/maxwellampong or connect with me through various channels on my Linktree: https://linktr.ee/themax.

Wishing you a fantastic week!

References

Kemp, S. (2022). Digital 2022: Global Overview Report. Datareportal. Retrieved from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2022-global-overview-report

Statista. (2022). Number of social media users worldwide from 2010 to 2021. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/

Baccarella, C. V., Wagner, T. F., Kietzmann, J. H., & McCarthy, I. P. (2018). Social media? It's serious! Understanding the dark side of social media. European Management Journal, 36(4), 431-438.

Pew Research Center. (2021). Social Media Use in 2021. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2021/04/07/social-media-use-in-2021/

O'Keeffe, G. S., Clarke-Pearson, K., & Council on Communications and Media. (2011). The impact of social media on children, adolescents, and families. Paediatrics, 127(4), 800-804.

Kumar, S., Tiwari, P., & Zymbler, M. (2019). Internet of Things is a revolutionary approach for future technology enhancement: a review. Journal of Big data, 6(1), 1-21.

Bartleby Research. (2022). The internet is the greatest invention of the 20th century. Retrieved from https://www.bartleby.com/essay/The-Internet-Is-The-Greatest-Invention-Of-PKE6GYEJFLL5#:~:text=Open%20Document-,The%20Internet%20is

Statista Research Department. (2022). The Statistics Portal. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/aboutus/our-research-commitment

Pfeffer, J., Zorbach, T., & Carley, K. M. (2014). Understanding online firestorms: Negative word-of-mouth dynamics in social media networks. Journal of marketing communications, 20(1-2), 117-128.

Buckels, E. E., Trapnell, P. D., & Paulhus, D. L. (2014). Trolls just want to have fun. Personality and Individual Differences, 67, 97-102.

Hardaker, C. (2010). Trolling in asynchronous computer-mediated communication: From user discussions to academic definitions.

Pai, P., & Arnott, D. C. (2013). User adoption of social networking sites: Eliciting uses and gratifications through a means–end approach. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(3), 1039-1053.

Dentzel Z. (2017, 12). How the internet has changed everyday life. Retrieved from https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/articles/internet-changed-everyday-life/

Santora, J. (2022, June 20). 133+ social media sites you need to know in 2022. Retrieved from https://influencermarketinghub.com/social-media-sites/

Walsh S. (2022, August 12). The top 10 social media sites & platforms 2022. Retrieved from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/#close

Pew Research Center. (2022, October 7). Social media fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/

Sasu D. D. (2022, November). Social media in Ghana - statistics & facts. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/9778/social-media-in-ghana/#topicHeader__wrapper

Columnist: Maxwell Investments Group

The rapid expansion of social media has been fueled by advancements in technology, particularly the proliferation of smartphones and mobile internet access, making social media more accessible and allowing users to connect and engage with others anytime, anywhere.

The decline of social media platforms can be attributed to the failure to adapt to changing trends, privacy concerns, intense competition, and the emergence of more alternatives.

The rise of other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, contributed to the decline of older platforms such as MySpace, Orkut, and Vine, which might have also affected LiveJournal.