The following article, “Twitter: A Social Media Platform Turning into One of the Biggest Sources of Information“, is written by Areeba Fatima, a student of Sir Syed Kazim Ali. Moreover, the article is written on the same pattern, taught by Sir to his students, scoring the highest marks in compulsory subjects for years. Sir Kazim has uploaded his students’ solved past paper questions so other thousands of aspirants can understand how to crack a topic or question, how to write relevantly, what coherence is, and how to include and connect ideas, opinions, and suggestions to score the maximum.
Outline
1- Introduction
2- A snapshot of Twitter usage worldwide
3- How is Twitter turning into one of the biggest sources of information?
- ✓At individual level
- Transmission of awareness about a healthy lifestyle
- Evidence: ‘Verywell’, a fitness brand, uses Twitter to enlighten people regarding nutrition and fitness by addressing the most pressing fitness and health-related questions.
- Endorsement of inspiration about modern fashion and chic trends
- Evidence: Twitter accounts like ‘Glamour’ preach beauty, fashion trends, celebrity style, designer news, and tips to keep their audience chic and up-to-date.
- Transmission of awareness about a healthy lifestyle
- ✓At state level
- Circulation of latest news and headlines
- Evidence: About 83 per cent of young journalists use Twitter as the most or second most used news-sharing platform in their job.
- Dissemination of political information and trends
- Evidence: According to a survey by the University of Nebraska, Lincoln – Pakistanis have used Twitter for information regarding Panama Leaks – acquiring political awareness, opinions of the general public and political leaders, and news links.
- Circulation of latest news and headlines
- ✓At international level
- Synchronization of awareness regarding global issues
- Evidence: Twitter is partnering with International Organizations to promote environmental conservation and sustainability, making individuals learn more about protecting the planet.
- Dispersal of facts about emergencies
- Evidence: According to multiple researches, there has been a significant increase in followers during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to months prior, indicating people using Twitter to be informed about emergencies.
- Synchronization of awareness regarding global issues
4- Critical analysis
5- Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
Twitter, currently known as ‘X’, is a vibrant cultural powerhouse that has become a hub containing information ranging from breaking news and entertainment to sports, politics, and everyday interests. It is ranked as the 12th most popular social network in terms of the number of users as 48 per cent of people use it to get news and entertainment, and 34 per cent use it to stay in contact with family and friends. With its exceptional features, like speed, accessibility, hashtags, and real-time updates, Twitter is becoming the #1 online social media site for news and information around the globe. According to some estimates, around 61.2% of people use Twitter to stay updated with news and events, with 35.7% female and 64.3% male users. At the same time, it broadcasts information about healthy lifestyles, beauty trends, celebrity styles, and fashion tips. Moreover, Twitter’s feature – Twitter for Good – makes it more akin to becoming a communication channel for international organizations to synchronize breaking news to reach the maximum number of people. To summarize, through Twitter, experts, masses, journalists, and others share their perspectives or insights about specific topics, fostering an interactive approach on the platform.
A snapshot of Twitter usage worldwide
Twitter, a platform for microblogging, conveys information about health, fitness, art, sports, politics, the economy, disasters, and much more. It is a real-time social media site with 353 million users worldwide in 2023 and can be mined to extract a broad range of information. Furthermore, Twitter has also become an important tool for communication and networking by allowing its users to share their thoughts with their followers and others through hashtags. According to the Pew Research Center’s 2022 survey, 23% of adult users from the U.S. use Twitter as a news source. Moreover, with about 6000 tweets every second and 500 million tweets daily, Twitter remains the most active social media site for news and opinions.
How is Twitter turning into one of the biggest sources of information?
Undoubtedly, Twitter is becoming the biggest source of information for masses around the globe. In this consideration, a few ways Twitter helps individuals gain information are given below.
Transmission of awareness about a healthy lifestyle
First, Twitter is helping many people stay focused on the path towards a healthier lifestyle. It helps the masses communicate with others with similar goals. It lets them interact with their favourite health brands, fitness websites and magazines, and health professionals like fitness trainers and nutritionists. Moreover, by using fitness hashtags and tweets, one can get informed about fitness challenges, related remedies, and tips in seconds. For instance, ‘Verywell’ is a fitness brand using Twitter to enlighten people regarding nutrition and fitness by addressing the most pressing fitness and health-related questions. Its team has registered dietitians, nutritionists, personal trainers, and board-certified physicians who have worked hard to create and refine curated, comprehensive, and fact-checked information for over 20 years. Hence, if people use Twitter wisely, their fitness friends could help them stay the course and provide them with information about healthy lifestyles.
Endorsement of inspiration about modern fashion and chic trends
At the same time, Twitter has become the main place for millions of people to seek lifestyle and fashion inspiration by connecting with their favourite brands and icons, and it has also caused fast fashion to become prominent. Further, it can be used to discuss and comment on fashion and its various aspects, including trends, styles, and cultural influences. Not surprisingly, Twitter is also where fashionistas gather during fashion weeks to watch the best shows live. For example, Twitter handles like ‘Glamour’ preach beauty, fashion trends, celebrity styles, designer news, and tips to keep their audience chic and updated. Therefore, Twitter can shape trends through conversation and make its audience aware of groovy and contemporary fashion trends.
Circulation of latest news and headlines
Similarly, Twitter has become a productive source of news and opinions on noteworthy events worldwide, allowing users to curate their newsfeeds according to their political and social interests. In particular, it has also emerged as a popular medium for last-minute information. It allows journalists and news channels to share news and information and engage with their audience in real-time,turning the platform into a news-sharing site by default. About 83 per cent of young journalists use Twitter as the most or second most used news-sharing platform in their job. Moreover, the app is projected to be the #1 downloaded in the ‘News’ category on the app store in the year 2023. Hence, Twitter, largely populated by news accounts and journalists, has become a source of breaking news and current information.
Dissemination of political information and trends
Furthermore, Twitter is gaining a substantial presence in today’s politics, especially during times of heightened political activity, by helping people engage in political discussions and circulating political content all the time. It is also an important tool for gaining political information. Twitter’s algorithm actively encourages users to create their political echo chambers by creating a more user-friendly experience for individuals. To illustrate, Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf, one of Pakistan’s largest political parties, is the biggest example using Twitter to create an impact on Pakistan’s youth. Moreover, according to a survey conducted by the University of Nebraska, Pakistanis have used Twitter for information regarding Panama Leaks, acquiring political awareness, opinions of the general public and political leaders, and news links. Hence, Twitter is vital in promoting political enlightenment among the public.
Synchronization of awareness regarding global issues
Meanwhile, Twitter has become a formidable broadcasting tool and an indispensable communication channel for international organizations to amplify their messages to global audiences. Moreover, the ‘Twitter for good’ feature enables organizations to synchronize breaking news to reach the maximum number of people. For example, Twitter is also partnering with organizations, like Earth Day Network, the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Climate Reality Projects, and others for the promotion of environmental conservation and sustainability, making individuals learn more about the protection of the planet. Thus, Twitter is enlightening individuals regarding global issues and crises.
Dispersal of facts about emergencies
Simultaneously, Twitter has been an indispensable tool for public service announcements, which signifies the public’s increased interest in emergency information. In truth, a significant increase in users during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to months prior indicates people are using Twitter for information. In summary, research implies that citizens are interested in being informed about emergencies through social networks like Twitter. Hence, Twitter is becoming a tool for dispersing facts regarding emergencies.
Critical analysis
In a critical diagnosis, Twitter has emerged as an innovative medium for discussing noteworthy events around the globe. Moreover, its striking popularity has attracted popular news sources and high-profile users, including traditional media, celebrities, politicians, and influentials, to join the network. However, there are some negative implications for the use of Twitter as it can become a source of misinformation for the masses, contributing to online extremism and hatred. Moreover, politicians use Twitter to defame opposition and fuel the fire of political hatred, which may amplify social and political tensions on a wider scale. Nonetheless, governments and institutions can ease the situation by improving communication channels and creating forums for dialogue.
Conclusion
To conclude, it has been deducted that Twitter has become a primary source of information in the contemporary world. From lifestyle awareness and chic trends to current news and political enlightenment, Twitter has become a formidable tool for disseminating information. In the same way, it has also knocked up masses about global issues and emergencies. In particular, its exceptional and extraordinary features have made it the most active and participatory social media site for information.
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