Communication is key; we’ve all heard this phrase a billion times. While it may be overdone, it is as true as a statement can get. Whether it’s communication in personal life, professional or any other aspect, clear communication can be crucial in various ways. For instance, if there isn’t clear communication in a company, it is likely to fall short in several ways.
Similarly, if there is no proper means of communication in the world, we wouldn’t be connected. When it comes to communication, media has played a pivotal role, especially globally. In today’s era, consumers are all about digital media. The problem that arises is many people often assume digital media and social media are the same. While it may seem like that, the truth is far from it.
Social media and digital media may be interrelated, but they’re distinct types. Digital refers to any online and offline tactic utilized to reach a broad audience. Examples of digital media platforms are Amazon and Google.
If you’re someone who has been mistaking them for the same, you’re about to be surprised. In this post, we will walk you through the differences between the two and how to tell them apart on a global level.
What Are the Different Types of Media?
Before we jump to the topic at hand and discuss social media and digital media, let’s understand the types of media. Various types of media entail several channels through which information is conveyed to the audience.
Generally, media is categorized into four types: print media, internet media, broadcast media, and out-of-home media.
- Print Media
Print media is the materials that are printed, such as magazines, books, etc., comprising text and images.
- Internet Media
Any content that is being distributed on the internet, on online sources, is known as internet media. Some examples include online publications, emails, etc.
- Broadcast Media
Any information that is distributed through mass communication channels, like radio or television, is known as broadcast media.
- Out-of-home Media
OOH or out-of-home media is when information is conveyed to the audience outside their homes, like billboards.
What is Social Media?
Social media is various technologies that allow users to communicate, interact, and share information with each other. Research shows that over 4.7 billion individuals use social media, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, etc. These stats are equivalent to approximately 60% of our global population.
Here are some of the most popular social media platforms around the world:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Snapchat
What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media?
Social media platforms give individuals all around the globe the opportunity to access information and data in real time while connecting with others and finding individuals and communities with shared interests. Put simply, it bridges the gap between us all and keeps us interconnected. This type of digital media is an excellent means to gain more friends and establish connections.
While it has plenty of benefits and can be valuable for us, it has certain drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage of this platform is the fact that it can spread false information and impact individuals psychologically. In fact, social media has impacted the minds of young individuals, leading to insecurities and mental health disorders.
It also impacts their physical health as individuals spend days and nights browsing social media, which affects their sleep, routine, etc.
What is Digital Media?
Digital media entails the creation of audio and videos using technology like electronics and the internet. These electronic devices assist in designing, modifying, and transmitting digital media. So, any sort of media that is created using the internet and electronics is referred to as digital media. Some examples are:
- Web pages
- Mobile apps
- Social networking platforms
- Video animations
Let’s discuss some types of digital media in detail.
- Social Media
Social media falls under the types of digital media and is a web application that lets users interact and communicate with individuals from every end of the world. These systems convert, convey, and distribute digital media using programming languages. Users can generate and share their own digital media, such as images, texts, videos, and audio, via social networking platforms.
- Audio
There are various types of content that can be categorized as digital audio media. For instance, music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc., all come under the umbrella of digital audio media. Digital audio is a sound recording that has been converted into a form that computers and software can understand. Your computer translates lines of numerical codes into understandable sound waves when you listen to such content.
- Video
This type of digital media is just images that can be moved. When you play a video, you’re actually just watching a bunch of images in succession. Videos are the most popular type of digital media since, on every platform, consumers are interested in this type of content.
- Advertisements
Whenever you’re browsing the internet or surfing a website, you may have come across advertisements. These are known as banner ads and are a popular form of digital media. It often consists of digital images, animations, and, in some cases, audio.
There are different types of digital advertising, including social media advertising, email and display advertising, and search engine advertising. Digital advertising is promoting or marketing a product or service on digital outlets, like applications or websites.
What’s the Difference between Social Media and Digital Media?
Since we’ve already discussed both social media and digital media in detail, you may already have understood the difference between both. However, let’s discuss the main difference between the two. The easiest way to distinguish between them both globally is the fact that social media is a type of digital media, so all social media falls under the category of digital media.
This is the key difference between the two, which helps people tell the two apart.
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