LETTERS: About 60 per cent of the global population uses social media.
You can use social media to find your target audience and raise awareness about your company.
We look for brand recommendations on social media whenever we want to buy something. This is an example of the social media culture today.
In this regard, the impact of social media on a culture fits within a communication theory known as cultural imperialism.
With the dramatic surge in social media usage, Western beliefs and cultures have become more prevalent, particularly among youth.
They are impressionable as they make changes in their lives depending on what they see on social media. This affects a nation's culture like ours.
This new cultural presence is visible in the way we speak, dress, values we adopt, our reactions to events, the decisions we make, our hobbies and interests, the movies we watch and the music we listen to.
So social media is changing culture in good and bad ways. That includes providing more space for public expression.
This, as well as new emerging subculture groups and topics, are positive aspects of the change by providing proximity, social awareness, and the opportunity to exchange thoughts and new ideas.
As a result, "cultural branding" concepts are produced and implemented by emerging groups, injecting a certain lifestyle and so generating relationships with consumers.
We are encouraged to participate in shared ideas and motivations. It is more than just selecting a brand. It is about developing a community and allowing it to flourish organically.
Social media has also boosted people's contacts and established an environment in which they may share their thoughts and other information.
Social media increases creativity and social consciousness in society.
Social media has broadened our horizons as we make new acquaintances from other nations.
Social media makes it easier to discover or follow breaking news. This has also had a negative impact on us.
People can post whatever they want on social media, and some of them may contain unsuitable images.
People question other's political views, religions, social rights and cultures.
Youth are negatively impacted by social media too, including reducing physical or outdoor activity.
However, being mindful of the negatives, we should try to make good use of social media in Malaysia, and I am delighted that our younger generation has been making effective use of social media.
They promote our culture on social media.
AQILAH JULAIHI
Kuala Lumpur
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times