Keia's Digital Diary

  It is week 14! Only two more weeks until graduation, and the spring semester is done.  This week's blog topic is going to be focused on social media pitfalls and an example of an influencer who faced a social media crisis.  When this topic was initially presented to me, I began to think of the millions of "cancellations" and influencer apologies that I witnessed over the years. One of the main ones that I could think of is Colleen Ballinger, aka Miranda Sings, who faced huge accusations back in 2023.  It all started with Adam McIntyre, a YouTuber and former fan of Miranda Sings (Colleen Ballinger). This video, uploaded to his YouTube account, recounted the predatory behavior he faced from Ballinger in his teenage years. These allegations included behavior from Ballinger, such as engaging in inappropriate conversations and asking minors sexually explicit questions in fan group chats.  Now, as if the allegations were bad enough, Ballinger's response incited even...

  It's already week 13! That means only three more weeks until graduation, and this semester is over. It's going to be a busy but fun next few weeks of my last semester of undergrad.  In this week's topic, we explored the wide range of social media tools that shape how we communicate, build communities, and share information. However, as much as social media can connect people, it’s important to reflect on the access and equity issues that continue to create divides. Access to social media isn’t universal.  When thinking about access, it’s easy to assume most people have a smartphone or internet connection, but millions still don't. Social movements, trends, and cultural discussions are often dominated by those with reliable internet and access to digital technology. As a result, marginalized communities that lack these resources can be excluded from conversations that directly impact them. Their absence shapes the way stories are told and whose experiences are prior...

Hello and welcome to week 12!  This week's topic is going to be on social media and education, the good and the bad. Some life updates first: I am graduating in about 3 weeks! Where has the time gone?  This past month of school has gone by so fast that I can't believe the past four years of my life are all dialing down into just 3 weeks. I am feeling excited, nervous, and optimistic about life after college. Especially since I am going to graduate school! More on that later, this week's topic is centered around social media and its usage in the educational realm.  Social media is often viewed as a distraction, but in reality, it can be a powerful tool for education and training when utilized correctly. Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have made it easier than ever to access educational content on the go. I’ve personally learned a lot from creators who break down complex topics into short, digestible videos, making learning feel more approachable and relatable...

  Hello and welcome to my week 11 blog post! We are almost to the final few weeks of the semester. It's getting deep into the spring season with lots of allergies coming too. Along with that, I've been pushing through these few weeks, and I am getting excited for graduation. For this week's blog topic, we will be focused on brands, social media, and their marketing tactics. Both good and bad.  The first company that I can think of that has been extremely successful in its social media marketing is Duolingo. They totally lean into the jokes people make about getting spammed with notifications to practice, and it actually makes the brand feel really relatable. It’s a good example of how a company can promote its product without being too serious. You can tell they know their audience and aren’t afraid to have fun with it. I find this to be successful for their brand since it's relatable and brings in a lot of younger people as their audience.  However, the bad part of ...

  Hello and welcome to week 10 of my blog! It is officially April, meaning the sun is out and the flowers are blooming.  This week's blog topic is focused on businesses and their utilization of social media.  Social media can be an extremely helpful tool to easily connect with customers and audiences, especially for large businesses. It allows them to listen to their customers' needs, market their products, and create a loyal fan base. While there are meaningful ways to connect with an audience, there are also some instances where companies have been out of touch with their customers.  A recent instance that I can think of is Poppi, where they were sending out vending machine PR gifts to large influencers, which angered many customers who felt like this gift was out of touch. However, some makeup companies do take in customer feedback about shade ranges, formulas, inclusive colors, and more. These are two examples of different sides of the coin. Another thing I’ve no...

  Hello and welcome to week 9! It is officially the first week back from spring break, a much-needed break from this crazy semester! My break mainly consisted of seeing old friends, resting, and spending time with my family. However, that means just a little bit over a month until I graduate, which seems so soon.  This week's blog post is centered on politics and social media. More specifically, social media's impact on today's politics and the methods we are fed information. While politics doesn't directly relate to my field of interest, I am constantly keeping myself up to date and even indirectly fed political information.  While I believe social media, such as Instagram or TikTok, is a great accessible way for people to access political information. These forms of social media have been great tools to learn more about the topics I am interested in (climate change, voting rights) and are presented in a digestible way. Personally, I have learned a lot from social medi...