Introduction
This paper presents an analysis of the communicative influence that Twitter has had since its development. The main objective behind the platform’s creation was to enable people to share clear and concise messages. One of the communication features on Twitter is sharing tweets for other people to engage with. Other Twitter users can comment on a tweet, like it, or even retweet it. Twitter allows users to remain connected by offering an opportunity to interact based on topics of interest.
Historical Context
Since its development, Twitter has evolved into one of the most used social media platforms. Twitter was created in 2006 after Jack Dorsey shared an idea for an online communication platform with colleagues at Odeo (Awa-Abuon, 2023). The concept involved developing a platform enabling its users to share clear and concise messages with a group of people. Within the first few months of its introduction, Twitter could record about twenty thousand tweets daily. The app’s popularity increased significantly after being promoted by Union Square Ventures at a Southwest conference. The growth experienced in Twitter allowed people from various parts of the world to remain connected.
The platform has improved over the years to become one of the most used media platforms in various parts of the world. Twitter has recorded an increasing number of active users, thus enabling people to remain connected. Users can hold discussions, share funny content, and engage with other people based on their topics of interest. The platform also provides an opportunity for organizations to advertise their products and services while attracting client feedback.
Key Communication Features
One of the critical communication features enjoyed by Twitter’s active users is sharing a tweet. Sharing a tweet requires an individual to compose a concise message that can include text, photos, videos, and links before posting it on the platform. A tweet is considered to be a public message broadcast to different people. Other users who follow the individual sharing the message can then view their message with an option to engage further. In this case, platform users engage more with content shared by individuals they follow. Twitter allows tweet viewers to respond by sharing a comment, liking, or retweeting the shared information. Retweeting plays a significant role in promoting greater reach for a tweet, hence the creation of trending topics.
Another critical communication feature that Twitter users enjoy is a mention, which requires one to include another person’s handle within their tweet. A mention helps to indicate the individual being referred to within the tweet and provides a chance for them to respond accordingly. The message is broadcast to others following a user and can be accessed using a Twitter search. Another critical communication feature provided by Twitter is the use of hashtags. Hashtags play a significant role in organizing tweets into topics and silos. Users can easily make their hashtag, but growing it can be challenging since it requires others to use it in their tweets. Twitter also offers users the option to share direct messages with others.
Media Theory
The social presence theory is a media theory that can help explain Twitter’s impact on users’ communication behaviors. The theory seeks to identify how different social platforms influence people’s sense of social presence and connectedness with other people (Kreijns et al., 2021). Twitter users develop a sense of social presence by having the opportunity to share information with other people.
The platform also promotes connectedness since people can interact with each other in real-time. The application allows individuals worldwide to stay in touch while learning new things. The platform can also cause people to alter their communication behaviors, focusing on maintaining connections with their followers or seeking social validation. Twitter influences people’s communication style by encouraging the sharing of direct and concise messages. Individuals seeking to share a long message have to come up with a thread that is made up of short compositions.
Another theory that can be used to explain the influence of digital platforms since their creation is the spiral of silence theory. The theory seeks to understand how people are affected by the majority opinion that is perceived in public discourse. A spiral is created when an individual from the perceived majority shares their opinion confidently, thus making it uncomfortable for individuals with a minority opinion to speak out.
Twitter plays a significant role in shaping people’s perception of public opinion as they come across trending topics, hashtags, and top discussions. The type of content that an individual interacts with the most can influence them to engage in self-censorship to avoid backlash for not being aligned with the perceived majority. In this case, Twitter users live with the fear of isolation, which can arise when others realize one has a divergent opinion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Twitter is one of the most used communication platforms, allowing people to share information through tweets. Other users can then retweet shared information, like it, or comment to share their opinions. The spiral of silence and social presence theory can be used to explain Twitter’s influence on users’ communication behavior. Individuals can develop a fear of isolation based on the perspective that other people are likely to develop about their opinions.
References
Awa-Abuon, J. (2023). Who owns Twitter? A brief history of the company. MUO. Web.
Kreijns, K., Xu, K., & Weidlich, J. (2021). Social presence: Conceptualization and measurement. Educational Psychology Review, 34(1), 139-170. Web.