Social media advertising has formed a big part of advertising, mainly because it is less costly and reaches a bigger medium. Because many people are reached when it comes to social media advertising, it has had a substantial impact on the culture and social lives of the people (Tuten & Solomon, 2013).. Through social media advertising, there has been a connection of people to a higher diverse level in terms of products and things that influence culture. For instance, individuals have been exposed to different kinds of products and services that have exposed them to the cultures they represent. Social media advertising has led to the adoption of new lifestyles that reflect the different cultures around the globe, which that would not have been remotely possible if people did not do advertisement on social media. It has introduced products and services that have led to the development of new cultural affiliations, and thus, diversity (Tuten, 2008). As a result, there has been a network of interconnected people who have adopted the cultural practices of each other.
Also, social media advertising has led to the appreciation of the different cultures around the world. People have developed a better comprehension of what entails a culture that is different from theirs. Through advertising, individuals have come in contact with helpful products and services from different cultures, and have appreciated them more. Without advertisements that are place in social media, there are some unique products that represent diverse cultures that would not have been known to people. As a result, people would not be aware of how these products and services influence the cultures of other people. Being aware of something is the beginning of appreciating it. Therefore, social media advertising has created a sense of cultural awareness for the diversities in the world.
The power of reaching the many people and forging peaceful alliances has been propagated by the existence and opportunities of networking and connection through social media advertising. Many people have met and exchanged ideas with people who are outside their circles. The business ideas have been transformed into strong rapports that have in turn led to the exchanged ideas on the different ways of lives of people. As a result, the world exists with a sense of cultural connection that has been enabled through social media advertising. It has enabled people to interact on a unique cultural level and identity that blend with the diversities in the world today.
Social media advertising has also had a multiple effects on the social lives of people. On the positive side, it has led to the betterment in the social well-being of the people. Through advertisements on social media, people have accessed products and services that have made them more comfortable. In addition, these services are easily accessible since one can know where to find them. Places for social engagements have become easier to find, and individuals in the society have had better opportunities in terms of jobs, education, and the business opportunities (Nabi, 2009). Also, social media advertisement has made certain products easily and readily accessible to people from all walks of life and facilitated good relationships that have been beneficial to the social lives of people. People’s lives have been eased by how they can access anything that they want from advertisements. Also, social media advertising had created the power to reach all the people and effect a sense of change into their lives. Many people have changed their ways of living because of social media, and have adopted new ideas that shape their daily social lives. The advertisements lead to the rise of new ideas that people adopt and incorporate into their lives. These ideas influence the lives of the people that considerably change upon full implementation.
However, to a higher degree, social media advertising has created unsocial behaviors in individuals. When products were not available online, individuals had to get out of their comfort areas and go look for these products and services (Deen, 2012). People were forced to become social and interact with the people they met. There were physical relationships formed that positively influenced the social interactions in the society. Online advertisements provide all the products and services that people need and limit their movement, which consequentially inhibits their social interactions in the society. These goods and services can even be delivered on one’s doorstep. There are people whose social interactions have hit rock bottom. They order for clothes, food and all other dailies from the advertisements posted on social media (Cook, 2001). Such people would lead lonely lives because they do not interact with people outside their environments.
Also, social media advertising has created some undesirable attributes in the social lives of the people. There are some advertisements that advertise negative things that affect the behavior of people in the society. Social media is not as censored as other forums and provides a platform where some negatives things can be easily accessed. As a result, people end up developing some out of the ordinary attributes that affect their social lives.
References
Cook, G. (2001). The discourse of advertising (2nd Ed.). London: Routledge.
Deen, H. (2012). Social media: Usage and impact. Lanham, Md.: Lexington Books.
Nabi, R. (2009). The SAGE handbook of media processes and effects. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Tuten, T. (2008). Advertising 2.0 social media marketing in a Web 2.0 world. Westport, Conn.: Praeger.
Tuten, T., & Solomon, M. (2013). Social media marketing. Boston: Pearson.
