Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines social media as “forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages and other content.” Social media comes in a variety of platforms including Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. The dictionary definition is very clear but what matters out in the real world are the definitions and opinions that people give.

Former Black Hills State University student Lacy Laird shared her definition.

“Social: people gathering, communicating, spending time together. Media: technological platforms. So, platforms to gather, I suppose.”

Laird uses social media to keep up with current events, share pictures, save memories and stay in contact with family. Laird also shared her opinion about the uses of social media.

“Social media is delicate. It can be a great tool to connect and network, but it can work against you … it really depends on how it’s used.”

Shonee Singer, a theatre major at BHSU, said that social media are, “The technological ways to stay in contact with other people using a website or application.”

While Singer believes that it is a good tool to network and stay connected, she also admitted that it can definitely be a time waster. She said potentially it could damage your reputation and chances at work.

Public relations major Kaytlyn Hartnell said, “I think social media is a double-sided coin. It makes connecting to a teacher, looking for jobs, homework, so much easier … it can be damaging to your reputation if you post something that a future employer doesn’t like, it could keep you from getting hired.”

Social media are a newer fad among the younger generations. Some people generally think of social media as ways for “kids’ to get together, hang out and socialize. How then are social media relatable to education?

English education major Aaron Patton explained, “It’s a social tool. Teachers use it for conversations outside of the classroom.”

Patton gave the example of Skype — a video chat application used to connect people through the internet. Teachers can use Skype to talk to students in other classrooms, across the state, and even in other countries.

BHSU students used social media to share what they love about BHSU for the I Heart BH campaign in October. In a recent press release, Director of University and Community Relations Corinne Hansen wrote about the images that students submitted for the campaign,

“The photos really tell a visual story about why students love their BHSU experience.”

While the contest is over, students, staff and faculty are still able to share what makes BHSU special to them by uploading pictures or posting statuses to social media and using #IHeartBH.

While everyone has different definitions and uses for social media, they are here to stay and here for the use of all. To see all of the campaign entries, visit www.BHSU.edu/Contest or go to the BHSU Facebook Page.