Social media: shortening distances

Modern Family FaceTime

20 years ago, if you left your country, the best way to keep contact with your family and friends was through letters. It sounds distant, but 20 years ago is really not a long time. Communications have evolved rapidly and have changed our life along the way. Here are some facts:

• Communications were not as developed: in 1995, the World Wide Web had just been launched and the internet had only 16 million users worldwide. Today, over 3 billion people have access to the internet, which represents 40% of the world population.
• PCs dominated the computer market and they were starting to settle in our homes.
• Mobile phones were starting to kick-in: most of the cellphones remained analog, they were expensive and they couldn’t connect to the internet.
• Long-distance phone calls carried a higher rate.

Thankfully, times have changed. Today, we not only have a widespread internet use, but we also have social media and mobile connectivity in our lives. When you immigrate, social media and connectivity gain a whole new meaning. It’s not just about been informed, it’s really about being connected to your loved ones.

Skype

Can you imagine spending a month without talking to your mom or your sibling(s)? 20 years ago that was the rule. Today, I can be a part of my 2-year-old cousin’s life, I can sing happy birthday to my brother and I can see him blow the candles over a video call. I don’t have to miss these important moments and I can be part of them in real time.

Moreover, I can keep up with everything that’s happening in my community and my country. A famous Venezuelan comedian said that “being in Venezuela is just a mental state.” And this does not only apply to my country, this is valid for everyone. This is possible because of social media and mobile connectivity. We are now updated and informed in real time about everything that’s going on in different parts of the world. Furthermore, we can take an active role in the conversation.

On social media your voice matters. You can be out of your country and still be a social media influencer from any corner of the world. You can be an active part of the conversation: you can make suggestions and reach different people, including decision makers. Even though you are away, you still belong to the community.

Today, social media has evolved to become a crucial marketing tool. This is a great achievement: the brands that we like know what we buy and how to sell it to us. However, social media is more than a marketing tool. For immigrants, social media keeps you connected with others. It shortens the distance between you and your loved ones. From this perspective, immigration becomes so much easier.

Social media platforms

So, what’s your preferred social media platform to stay connected?