Social Media in Society

This book is about the role that social media plays in the lives of individuals, societies, economies and polities. It therefore takes in a wide view of the emergent and changing impacts of social media platforms, and social media practices. As a consequence, it examines social media use through various intellectual and scholarly traditions --psychology, sociology, cultural studies, economics, and (national and global) politics – but it is primarily situated in the field of media and communications studies. As such, it frames its analysis of social media impacts using media studies concepts and terminology, and places media texts, forms, industries and agents (producers, audiences and other users) at the centre of each thematic chapter.

1. Introduction: Social Media Histories, Contexts, Development.- 2. Studying Social Media.- 3. Social Media Platforms: Technologies, Companies, Industries.- 4. Social Media and The Social Self: Individuals And Relationships.- 5. Social Media as a Creative Industry: Labour, Workplaces, Markets.- 6. Social Media, News and the Public Sphere.- 7. Social Media and Politics.- 8. Social Media and International Relations.- 9. The Dark Side of Social Media?.- 10. Conclusion: The Case for Hope, The Path Forward.

Jonathon Hutchinson is Chair of the Discipline of Media and Communications at the University of Sydney. He is a Chief Investigator on three Australian Research Council projects, is the President of the Australian and Aotearoa New Zealand Communications Association and is the Editor in Chief of the Policy & Internet Journal.

Fiona Suwana is a Lecturer and Researcher of Communication and Media at University of South Australia, UniSA Creative. Her research specialised in digital activism, digital media, digital media literacy, social and political movements, democracy and young people, specifically in civic engagement and political participation to support democratic practices.

Cameron McTernan is a Lecturer and course coordinator at the UniSA specialising in social media, political communication and media industries. His areas of interest and research include Media Diversity and Pluralism in Australia, Political Communication, Social Media and Streaming Services.