It is good to see so many people and local organizations in the Bancroft area embracing social media in their daily lives.
It is the kind of “word of mouth” communication that is more wide-reaching than you might think.
Facebook. Twitter. These are the two prime shakers in non-traditional media, and they are taking over the world — even to the point of spurring pro-democracy demands in the Middle East and beyond.
Everyone with a computer should get involved.
A small example. Last Sunday, one of Bancroft’s more active citizens posted my Sunday column on bullying on her Facebook page. We have 47 Facebook friends in common, but she has over 700 friends on her page. That means more than 600 people saw a column on bullying that they might not have ever seen without her posting it.
And some are even posting their own comments, leading to others to comment on them.
And then one of her friends re-posts the column, and it hits even more people. And on and on it goes, a modern version of the grapevine.
Bancroft Region has a Facebook Page, as does the local Chamber of Commerce. It’s a way to stay in touch, a way to promote.
And, most of all, it reaches our young people.
And there is nothing more important than that.
Categories: General
I do agree with “Facebook Grapevine” blog. Facebook is a popular site for many people to post comments and share pictures. It’s also a site where the comments link between one another. On the other hand, Twitter is also a popular social networking site. People post comments or quotes to see if they are going to get any likes or comments, and some people even re-post comments to see if they will get more comments or likes, and that will continue on and on creating the “Grapevine.”
I completely agree with this article. Facebook and Twitter have enhanced our ability to connect undoubtedly. However, the youth of today need to focus on using these social networks respectfully and appropriately as much as they focus on their notifications. Although there are many pros to Facebook and Twitter, we need to cut down cons that are actually in our power to change, such as bullying.
Social media can be bittersweet. It’s an amazing way to get in touch and reach out to people but it’s also very dangerous. Over the internet it is hard to tell if sarcasm is intended or not and it can even become a “haters page”.
I do agree though that it is an amazing way to spread news and gain awareness. Since a large part of the Facebook and social media community is composed of youth, it can be a very powerful medium. I think it’s so cool how posts can become a chain reaction. First someone posts something, such as an article about bullying, and then before you know it people you’ve never met are getting in touch with you to ask questions and promote.
I like seeing people of a different generation than my own, appreciating social networking. It gets so much flack for the bullying that happens on it and a, so called, lack of communication it is giving the youth. It has many benefits and the things you are talking about are just a few of many. Many people of older generations make complaints about social networking but I believe it is because they don’t understand its true uses in society. Social networking is really a great thing that isn’t just used for cyber-bullying.
As a teenager myself, I can relate to the ‘Facebook Grapevine’ very easily. Everyone has
Facebook or some other form of social media these days, and it is a very easy and fast way at
spreading information. I am glad to hear about your column on bullying was spread since that is
an issue which, though always being present, has been brought to a larger scale lately. However
one downside of this grapevine is the cynical and rude comments which often frequent posts on
Facebook and the like. Despite this, I think this ability to reach people of my generation who are
less inclined to read the paper or watch the news is very important to see happen. Keep the
Grapevine going!