Facebook v. Twitter

            Twitter and Facebook are simply communication tools. They both have evolved and morphed and will continue to do so as the social media field progresses and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Twitter and Facebook are both platforms that play a large day-to-day functionality in my life. To me they both offer very different value, both good and bad. I liken Facebook to a reunion of sorts where as Twitter is more of a open forum discussion. Like a reunion, Facebook is great for connecting with old friends or potentially finding new friends, sharing your favorite things, and representing who you are though photos, status updates, etc. Twitter is a mixture of experts (news sources, politicians, etc) and commoners (me). People are able to speak for a few moments then it is up to someone around them to respond. For me, Facebook is better for connecting, reconnecting and rekindling relationships whether it be with friends or in the case of a brand or a business, their target audiences. Be that as it may, Twitter is better for sharing and gaining information, resources, and knowledge. They are two very different applications, thrown into the same category, “social networking device.” As a result, it can be a struggle to determine the differences between the two and which can be more beneficial in the respective situation. Facebook for avid users is a messaging system, a place to upload and share photos, way to share videos and music and so much more. Therefore, Facebook is a single alternative to all of the various social portals that have been created over the past decade such as Flickr, Myspace or AIM. The difference with Twitter lovers, although the usefulness may not be as readily obvious, is that Twitter encourages constant linking to anywhere and anyone. You are able to ask a question or make a statement and get an instantaneous response.

I doubt I could choose one over the other forever because they both are very valuable in distinctive ways. However, I decided to delve into the reasons as to why I personally like Twitter more than Facebook. With all of its new software and constant updates, Facebook is only getting more and more difficult to navigate and modernize. I have ultimately resorted solely to using it as a picture forum. I share my photos with friends and family and in return receive comments and likes. Facebook requires a severe investment of time before eventually realizing the sustained benefits. I do not have the time nor do I want to use my time in doing so. In addition, all this information sharing has brought the privacy issue to the foreground. In many ways it can be a gross violation of individuals privacy. I understand that by uploading it on to Facebook, it is now in the public domain. However, as seen in the article “Are your Facebook updates humiliating you?” ‘frictionless sharing’ is a perfect example of Facebook’s invasion of privacy. Major social readers are sharing your online activity without your knowledge. I acknowledge that there are ways to move around this type of sharing but it is just an example of another hardship of how Facebook manipulates its users.  

Twitter is more information based and educative. It brings news from all over the world to one single platform and allows access to anyone who seeks it. It user platform is much simpler to use and extremely easy with mobile apps, making it more flexible for users to log into Twitter anywhere at anytime. Lastly, the anonymity of it allows for a type of open communication that cannot necessarily be seen through Facebook’s platform. All solid reasons as to why I love Twitter.

To end my blog post, whether you choose Facebook, Twitter or both, the fact that YOU the user can make the decision is what really makes all the difference.