My Favourite Social Networks

 

Hello, my name is Tiffany and I’m a social media addict. From the first day I opened up The Facebook and started an account, I was instantly hooked on seeing everything I could about everyone I could find. It’s a strange and frightening and all together amazing world we live in today now that we can sit at home on a Friday night, all alone, and be social with hundreds if not thousands of people while wearing PJ’s and fuzzy slippers. Hours and hours spent researching, playing, building, downloading and deleting app have determined my favourite social networks, at least until the next big thing happens.

Snapchat

It seems to be the buzz word on every other social platform, thanks in part to the fact that Snapchat has not ability to search users in the actual app. For years I was perplexed by the fascination of a platform who’s sole purpose was to send 1 message to 1 person or multiple people you were connected with, why couldn’t I just text them? And then they gave users the ability to create a STORY. All of a sudden I was able to give my friends 10 second videos or pictures that would play back in chronological order like a movie but only for 24 hours. Voila!  Video feed + FOMO (fear of missing out) + time bomb content = the most fun I’ve had on an app since finding Periscope.

Periscope

Live streaming is as hot as the electric car. People have tried to make the technology work for years but all of a sudden someone built the sleek, fast moving Tesla of live streaming apps and launched Periscope. Celebrating it’s first year of life on March 26, 2016, Periscope is where I found my best online friends who I would dare to call “real life friends” as much as they are my social media friends. Live streaming is not just about what you’re watching, it’s about the conversations and connections that happen in the comments. It’s the only app I’ve ever heard of where people actually remember and share with pride, the date they downloaded the app for the first time. Mine was May 2, 2015.

Blab

Keeping right in line with the live streaming trend is Blab. Still in beta mode, I love this platform for the pure creativity people are showing with their use of the (up to) 4 square space. People are doing graphics, green screens, sound effects, lighting. It’s like the live streaming programming with YouTube production. Interviews, Q and A’s, educating, debating, entertaining. While I haven’t actually broadcasted on Blab yet, I am consuming the content daily. I especially love the talent search show called Blabs Got Talent hosted by YoPickles.

Netflix

Yes, I know that Netflix isn’t a social network but hear me out. I have never watched a series, ok binged a series, without at least talking about it 20 times on social media. If I’m looking for a new show to watch, who do I ask? My friends on Facebook. When I’m horrified by the thing that the guy did in that show and I Just. Can’t. Keep. It. In. what do I do? I create a private chat on WhatsApp to talk about it without being a spoiler. And when my favourite series announces another season is being released, who do I share the trailer with? EVERYONE!!! That sounds pretty social for a platform that isn’t supposed to be a social network.

 

So, tell me, what are your favourite social networks?