Module 1 Blog: Day in the Life Using Digital Media

     Hi Everyone! 

    The sites and applications I utilize the most in my daily life would be; Pinterest, TikTok, Instagram, and Safari. I mainly use Pinterest to keep track of ideas I have or crafts I want to do through their "Pin Boards" feature. In my boards, I have different ones for fashion, decor, tattoos, and more. It gives me a cute, organized place, to keep my thoughts and visions for future projects. As for apps like Instagram and TikTok, I have multiple uses. The number one being to scroll. I'm so terrible about scrolling in my free time and I'm currently trying to improve that with myself. Not only does social media take up portions of my free time, I also utilize these apps to promote my very small start-up vintage/second hand business. I use these apps to post videos or photos of product, cool finds, alterations, and what I'll be taking to future pop-up events. I find both TikTok and Instagram to be extremely helpful with outreach for my customers. Lastly, I think we all utilize the Safari app daily. Safari search is not only useful, it's endless. I usually just use Safari to look up the Wordle, fact-check, and keep updated on what's going on in the world. 

    Adding onto this, I think I have both negative and positive reactions to social media. I always get a good laugh out of the videos I come across each day. But, I can definitely say its also had a negative or even overwhelming impact on me. Social media comes with a lot of pressure. A lot of the way things "should or shouldn't be". It was definitely difficult as a teenager to constantly be on social media, especially with self esteem issues. In contrast, social media is extremely valuable to the business world; and more specifically, the second-hand vintage world. Social media and online apps have become a tool for success in both businesses that are just starting out as well as large corporations. Having digital media, in-app purchasing, and online stores at the click of a button is what really made consumerism skyrocket. But, is that for better or for worse? For businesses pockets, yes, it is extremely beneficial to be able to profit off of consumers no matter what cost. Nowadays, social media and "influencing" have created the issue that is fast-fashion (a niche example but, you understand where I'm going with this). Because of the outreach of social media, over consumerism is booming right now, creating more and more waste daily. In the sense of marketing, I notice that honestly, social media sells. It's rare to see a top-selling brand without a massive social media presence. Social media is both good and bad. But honestly, I think its hand in overconsumption is going to cost us our planet.