What prompted this? Just armchair observations. I'm going to put on my Not-An-Expert-On-This-At-ALL Hat and tell you what I've noticed about most friends interacting online. Mainly on Facebook, actually. There are only three types of social media users. Seriously, just three.
If you couldn't tell, this is a non-scientific study, so it's based on... not much at all! I can say with confidence that this is 100% not accurate in any meaningful way, and that it's utter silliness, but it's fascinating to me.
Here's what I see, to varying degrees - and there IS overlap! I most definitely have hybrid internet friends who are all 3 types, but mainly my friends fall into one category best.
Selfie-Level: Medium-to-High
Selfie-Level: Inconsistent (Drama Llamas = High; Life Struggle = Medium)
Selfie-Level: Low-to-Medium, with selfie likelihood growing if the selfie can show support of their cause.
Is there any point to categorizing my friends? None that come to mind, but I find it kind of fascinating.
If you couldn't tell, this is a non-scientific study, so it's based on... not much at all! I can say with confidence that this is 100% not accurate in any meaningful way, and that it's utter silliness, but it's fascinating to me.
Here's what I see, to varying degrees - and there IS overlap! I most definitely have hybrid internet friends who are all 3 types, but mainly my friends fall into one category best.
The 3 Types of Social Media Users Are:
Entertainment Types
- These are the friends who mainly share puns, jokes, cute animal videos, memes, quizzes, cat pics, delicious food, how-to videos, Mind-Blowing [insert whatever here], inappropriate stuff, movie trailers, whimsical fairy pictures, comics, things that make you go hmmm... the list goes on and on.
- This category includes people who post pics of their cleavage and/or biceps, along with those who post pics of their new shoes, their fresh manicure, a night out on the town having fun, etc.
- Are they trying to entertain themselves as much as their followers? Maybe, but if their followers enjoy it, everyone wins!
- Do these kinds of friends have have personal issues? Do they have strong opinions on Important Political Things and do they give to the needy and want to save the environment? Maybe, but unless they're a hybrid with one of the other two Internet Types, that isn't what they use social media for.
Selfie-Level: Medium-to-High
Personal Sharing Types
- Some of these are drama llamas, sharing TMI about their relationships or airing out dirty laundry.
- Others are people struggling with severe life problems, trauma, health concerns, or psychological issues.
- It can be positive or fun, like sharing a weight loss journey, or ALL the pregnancy details. Whereas non Personal Sharing Types might make a pregnancy announcement once and never mention it again, Personal Sharing Types will describe ultrasounds and cravings and the joy of those little kicks in the night.
Selfie-Level: Inconsistent (Drama Llamas = High; Life Struggle = Medium)
Platform Types
- These peeps sometimes have an agenda. It could be to convert others to a religion, or rally friends to support a cause, or argue for their political beliefs.
- Other times there isn't an agenda exactly, but a more general feel of, "The World Should Know" and they simply want to inform. Like a public service.
- These kinds of posts can spark fun debates. Sometimes they breed vitriol and arguments.
Selfie-Level: Low-to-Medium, with selfie likelihood growing if the selfie can show support of their cause.
Hybrids
- There are true hybrids and temporary hybrids, with temporary hybrids showing up more during a natural disaster or presidential election year.
- Having crossover posts a few times isn't really a hybrid. Because I'm making these rules up as I go along.
- Someone mainly Entertainment who Hybrids with Platform is different than someone mainly Platform who Hybrids with Entertainment. Think about it. *sage nod*
Final Thoughts
As one would expect, my friends have evolved since I started getting to know them on the internet. Someone who initially posted nothing but sports-related jokes and cool merchandise from his favorite team gradually became the friend who champions autism awareness. I remember a pre-internet world when I would never have known that a colleague is also an incredible ballerina, or that my friend helps animal shelters and cares so deeply about fighting animal abuse.Is there any point to categorizing my friends? None that come to mind, but I find it kind of fascinating.