Data Analysis: Social Media

Social Media Data Analysis

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    Out of all my social media sites, I am most active on Facebook. I have had an account for over 10 years now, and I use it for personal reasons only. I don't really write posts, or statuses anymore, but I do share pictures, memes that I find hilarious, and recipes from Food Network or Delish since I follow those groups.

      I used to write statuses when I first got Facebook in college because it seemed like the thing to do. Now, I think some statuses sound silly sometimes because I think they can come off as showing off a bit, or they can sound a little cheesy and fake. Sometimes people write long posts about how they couldn't live without so-and-so, etc. While this might be very heartfelt and truthful, sometimes I wonder if it's just to boast. I also don't want to express opinions on Facebook, especially related to politics, as I think the conversations can get too heated since people feel more courage to say things online, but then things can get awkward when they see those people in person after having an online argument. Since I'm friends with colleagues and other acquaintances, I'd rather not have things get awkward between us like that. Isn't there some understood rule that you shouldn't talk politics in social situations? Stick to talking about the weather and food...

      Of my last 25 posts on Facebook, 14 of them were pictures that I posted or was tagged in. I do enjoy posting some pictures, and my most recent ones involved images from holidays, trips I went on with family and friends, and weddings I attended. Sometimes I say something clever about the picture when I post, or I don't say anything at all, but I just post the pictures. I do hesitate sometimes to share some pictures as I think pictures too can seem like showing off. I don't want people to feel bad if I was hanging out with certain people and I didn't invite them. I think constantly seeing what others are doing can affect people.  Sometimes it can be overwhelming to go online and see images of friends traveling all over, having babies, getting new jobs, etc. While all of those things are good and should be celebrated, I think a competition among friends starts to develop online with people posting things in order to receive attention and to one up others. People may also internally feel that their life is not as exciting as their friends. I think to a degree, some of the pictures I posted have been to impress people, and there is a part of me that feels guilty about this. I posted a picture of my living room on Facebook to show people my Christmas decorations of my new tree by my fireplace. I also was stuck in Florida last week (poor me, I know) because my flight was canceled, and I posted a picture stating I was in Disney World by the castle while everyone back home was freezing.

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       In addition to pictures, I share memes that I find amusing. In the video image below, I was tagged in the meme video. Most of the memes I post relate to teaching, or ones that connect well with me and my personality. My co-workers and I share these with each other for our own enjoyment. I also like and share a lot recipes. Following groups like the Food Network and Delish help me get great and simple ideas for dinner!

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Check out the actual video of the image above here. It's hilarious, and totally true for teachers!

Here's a recent recipe I liked from Delish:

 Yum!

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     Overall, my posts are mostly all positive on Facebook. I feel that they do reflect the real me by representing things I like and my sense of humor. If I had done this analysis of Facebook 10 years ago, my answer may have been different. Not that I was negative in the past, but maybe I was sharing and saying things just to fit in more. Now that I am older, I have evolved in my Facebook usage. While I post some pictures, I don't post all my pictures as I'm more cautious of not overdoing it, or giving away too much information about where I am and what I'm doing. I'm more mindful of other people's feelings, and thinking that maybe no one really cares that I'm having a romantic dinner with my husband. I'm more of an adult on Facebook now---poking fun at the craziness of being a teacher and figuring out what to eat for dinner!