It is no secret that social media platforms have created a divide in public opinion. Some say the platforms are beneficial and others believe they are toxic. In a world where it is almost impossible to completely go rogue with social media, it may be the only thing keeping people together. While tons of VanCougs are logged on for school, or to connect with friends, how do students feel about the driving force behind our new reality of social interaction?
(Photo courtesy of Thea Hieronymus)
WSU Vancouver Professor Michael Rabby, who teaches in the creative media and digital culture department, instructs classes focused on social media. Rabby started studying the science of social media relationships, long before sites like Myspace and Facebook were popular, but now says these platforms have become essential for connection since the start of the pandemic.
“[My research] was around the time that the internet started to become a big thing, and so I started studying how people maintain their relationships online. I looked at, you know, were these relationships real?” Rabby said. “Because at the time, this is you know, 2000 to 2001, that was like a weird thing. You did not say you met people online. There was a stigma. But now, all that stuff has totally changed, right? And with COVID [social media] is the only way people have to meet each other.”
Senior and integrated strategic communication major, Lucy Thompson, uses social media for personal use as well as for her job as director of communications for the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver.
“I do a lot of the promotional [work]. I create the designs, and I type out the [social] posts. My job is so different now, because of COVID. What we have been doing is using social media to promote events and everything, especially since Coug Presence was not up and running until recently,” Thompson said. “Social media was the only way we could promote events, and things that [ASWSUV was] doing [and] things that the Office of Student Involvement were doing.”
According to Thompson, the ASWSUV Instagram has gained over 100 followers since the pandemic. ASWSUV’s social media content consists of posting announcements about events happening within WSU Vancouver and welcomes students to voice questions or concerns to student government.
“We have a lot of traction on Instagram, and I think it’s less of a professional setting than like a Facebook page. I think it makes ASWSUV feel a little bit more human to the students, especially with the posts that we are doing. We are doing more videos of us as actual people,” Thompson said.
Thea Hieronymus, a junior digital technology and culture major, has decreased her use of social media since the pandemic began. Hieronymus feels there can be negatives to social media, along the lines of promoting behavior that does not follow COVID-19 regulations like wearing a mask and social distancing. However, she also acknowledges the benefits of social media such as following and connecting with friends and family.
(Photo courtesy of Ryan Cunningham)
“It just kind of got a little bit negative and toxic for me where I just didn’t feel the need that it was useful for me. My mom has prior health issues so we have to be super cautious about that. I don’t want to be the reason my mom gets COVID, by being an irresponsible teenager and hanging out with a bunch of friends,” Hieronymus said. “When I was younger, [social media] was kind of a negative influence on me, but as I got older, I kind of found that different social media crowd and I found it more beneficial. Mostly on social media I really just follow friends and family rather than when I was younger, I would follow famous people or things like that. It definitely has changed over time, but right now I am in a place where I think it has been beneficial for me.”
As for Sean Cunningham, a sophomore majoring in business management and psychology, he finds that social media is beneficial for a variety of reasons. Cunningham explains social media platforms are useful for learning new information, connecting with friends, meeting new people, and, most importantly, spreading awareness about social movements such as the Black Lives Matter movement.
“Another positive thing was it spread a lot of awareness. Like when Black Lives Matter happened, I posted a lot of stuff and awareness on my stories with everybody else. That was also nice to see. It helped bring some social justice online for Black Lives Matter and help push that as well,” Cunningham said.
Regardless of the negatives or positives associated with the social media world, it seems the platforms have become a primary source to seek information, community and connection with others. With these assets available, social media might remain a constant presence in the lives of many VanCougs.