Читать книгу Successes and Setbacks of Social Media - Группа авторов - Страница 29

In the early iterations of video games, lack of internet connectivity prevented me from considering them as forms of social media. However, as gaming consoles continued to upgrade and modernize, I have come to view my current gaming habits as a form of social media. Modern consoles now come with the ability to connect to central hubs through the internet allowing players to communicate across the globe, post status messages, and exchange text messages, which aligns with my personal view of social media.

Gaming, for me, has evolved beyond playing the actual games into connecting with individuals within my field that also game, with friends from high school and college, and with individuals that I mentor. I spend most nights with a headset on talking about modern issues in the world, within higher education, and in life to friends and colleagues.

Within the field of higher education, I have been able to locate a gaming community as well. As we have worked to connect not only professionally, but personally, our gaming has become a form of self-care especially due to experiencing a pandemic. As we cope with the massive shifts happening at our respective institutions, brought on by the pandemic, we are still able to provide social updates, interact, and virtually connect through online gaming hubs.

Gaming, as I have quantified it through my own experiences, has become a greater tool for social media to men than the standard social media applications. I have forged friendships, professional partnerships, and even mentorships through the headset with individuals both in and outside of my field of study.