“In this day and age, if you aren’t active on social networks, you are in danger of being ‘out of look’” (Kuttainen, 2017) . Every day people are spending way too much time on screens than they actually want. Whether they like it or not this is the reality we live in today. It’s no wonder that social networking has increasingly and dramatically changed the world and the way it works. Social media and its power helps you to connect with people from every corner of the world which its main purpose is to allow you to share your experiences, ideas and thoughts with people that you have either just met yesterday or with friends and family. as Tristan Harris states, “The reason it feels like we are being sucked it into spending too much time on the internet, is because different companies compete with each other to get our attention” (Harris, 2017) . WhatsApp is well known for having millions of users who are constantly connected with one another. but in saying this, it can be quite dangerous for some users. While WhatsApp is known for communicating with family and friends, this multi-billion-dollar platform is a massive corporation and huge corporations will do anything to make money. Essentially, every social media network’s goal is to maximise your time on screen and hold massive power over you for the above-mentioned reason and it’s up to you to decide if you want to be a part of it or not.
(Scholz 2016)
Yet, as Wood, Kaiser and Abramms explain, “what is the truth? It seems so simple. But when we try to put it into words, it turns out to be more complex” (Wood, Kaiser, & Abramms, 2006) . Lying and manipulating the general public is what the people behind every social platform aim to achieve. as Tristan Harris states, “you can precisely target a lie directly to the people who are most susceptible” (Harris, 2017) . The power the internet provides to the general public has opened up a new way to manipulate, lie and to hoard a massive power over people. As WhatsApp continues to generate more new comers each day, it just goes to show what the massive bond that it creates in order to keep friends and family communicating within the app.
The seduction of fortune, fame and power within the social network causes many to strive for it and will do whatever it takes to maintain it once it is obtained. Power can be perceived as many things, such as different types of power in a social network that is viewed by how many followers a certain individual has, the social status of a particular celebrity or just a group of very well protected and respected rule makers. Yet, as Kuttainen states, “The elite are the few who have power; the masses are the many who do not” (Kuttainen, 2017) . As I observe the users of WhatsApp, it appears to be an uncontrollable addiction that will continue to grow until its users see the effect that comes along when you are part of this social media.
References.
Harris, T. (2017, April). The manipulative tricks tech companies use to capture your attention. retrieve from https://www.ted.com/talks/tristan_harris_the_manipulative_tricks_tech_companies_use_to_capture_your_attention
Jes, S. (2016, April). Dominating your WhatsApp Marketing Strategy. Retrieved from https://www.searchenginejournal.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-whatsapp-marketing/161221/
Kuttainen, V. (2017, August). Networks, Narratives, and the making of place. week 2 [power point slides] Retrieved from https://learnjcu.jcu.edu.au/webapps/blackboard/content/listContent.jsp?course_id=_84764_1&content_id=_2759293_1&mode=reset
Wood, D., Kaiser, W. L., & Abramms, B. (2006). Seeing Through Maps. In D. Wood, The Multiple Truths of the Mapping World (pp. 1-12). Amherst: New Interationalist Publication.
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