As I was researching/writing for my midterm paper, I was becoming more confused about the difference between social media and social networking. This website seemed to be very effective in breaking it down:
"Social media is a way to transmit, or share information with a broad audience. Everyone has the opportunity to create and distribute. All you really need is an internet connection and you're off to the races.
On the other hand, social networking is an act of engagement. Groups of people with common interests, or like-minds, associate together on social networking sites and build relationships through community."
Social media seems to refer more to the message or information, whereas social networks seem to refer to an outlet where social media can be created and found.
Still confused? Understandably! It is obviously very complex, as most people describe and refer to them as synonymous terms.
From the examiner:
Social Media are tools for sharing and discussing information. Social Networking is the use of communities of interest to connect to others. You can use Social Media to facilitate Social Networking. Or, your can network by leveraging Social Media.
Here is a video that really helps simplify social media:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpIOClX1jPE
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