The Power of Social Media

The development and improvement of communication is continuously evolving. The introduction of

mobile devices, faster computers, and faster Internet connections paved the way for more accessible
and available Web applications. Today, mobile phones and social media are everyday norms. Issues and
posts shared in a social media Web site can reach millions of users within a shorter period of time as
compared with conventional methods. Photos of some abusive individuals and their crimes have been
posted on social media, so that people are informed. Some users also post images of missing people.
Some people even share posts about other people doing good deeds that are often unnoticed.

Digital Citizenship

Today,almost everyone is connected to one another in a variety of ways. The first is by using mobile
phones via short messaging system (SMS) or text messages. Another is by using mobile phones via calls
and multimedia messaging system (MMS). Last is by using computers and mobile phones to access the
Internet and connect via social media and messaging systems. Many Filipinos use social media and other
online platforms to inform other people of different issues. Social media has also been used to express
vigilance and expose the wrongdoings of people in authority. Here are a few examples.

People Power I(EDSA 1)-One of the first times that the power of communication and the power of
citizens were used in the Philippines was during the first People Power Revolution. When it was
organized, the Internet and mobile phones were stil1 not popular. However, television, print
(newspapers), and radio were heavily used. Cardinal Sin called upon the citizens to participate in the
protest at EDSA. At that time, Cardinal Sin used broadcast radio to send information to the citizens.

People Power II(EDSA 2)-When People Power II was organized, apart from print, television,and
broadcast radio, mobile phones were also used. Because of the convenience of sending text messages, a
vast number of individuals were informed immediately, and were thus quickly mobilized. The popularity
of mobile phones enabled group texts and chain texts that helped spread the information more quickly.

Million People March-This was the first time that Filipinos protested not against an individual but against
a system. The protest was against the pork barrel fund. Many people believe that this fund was being
used. This angered many people,prompting them to organize a protest. The gathering was planned
weeks before and calls for participation flooded social media,specifically on Facebook and Twitter.