The Ever-Changing Media

It used to be a fantasy where an individual could instantly learn about current events with a simple swipe on one's phone.

10 years ago, rumors circulated via the media on Apple's impending release of their first cellular device. In January 2007 Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone, becoming the catalyst for the technological revolution of accessibility.

The development of these types of smartphones enabled the growing presence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat. Industries needed to adopt to the future in order to broaden their audience reach. News publications, film and television distributors and the music industry integrated their platforms to the Web, creating the mass media we interact with today.

Accessibility is the biggest change in the last 10 years where users are now able to instantly access the Internet for information and stay connected with their peers. Gone are the days of impatiently waiting for AOL to dial up and slowly maneuvering across the Web for updates. Instead, individuals can easily acquire new information through notifications that appear on their smartphones.

Twitter is an important app for me because of how easy it is to find out what is trending around the world. It acts as a hub where I can discover current issues and access publications for more detail without leaving the app. Twitter's simplistic nature is what makes media consumption appealing to me because of its instantaneous response.

The social media platform also acts a forum for individuals to communicate with each other. I enjoy reading people's tweets about current trends; it creates a space where everyone has a voice.

Along with accessibility comes the prominence of new mediums. Videos rose in popularity from Youtube where everyday people can create their own brand through a new form of entertainment. Today, virtual reality and 360 degree videos are slowly on the rise as news organizations incorporate it into their existing mediums.

Mass media is continuously evolving as more technology is being introduced to improve on media consumption. That phone fantasy has become a reality and it shows no sign of stopping.