Social Media capital?

Although our distinguished title of  “texting capital of the world” has been challenged in recent years, it has long been accepted that Filipinos have a penchant for utilizing our mobile phones for sending off SMS (Short Messaging Service). Every Juan and Maria in our overpopulated streets can be seen holding the ubiquitous cell phone, typing while walking or talking with a friend or constantly checking whether the beep they just heard came from that tiny tech device so easily stored in our pockets.

In more recent times, we have also seen another global phenomenon making its way to our shores — Social Media. And being such easy adopters, we have seen the rise of users — from the tech savvy bloggers to the ordinary housewife to even our household help. Everyone has a Facebook account, a Multiply account, perhaps a Flickr or Youtube, a Twitter or a Plurk… and yes, even Friendster is alive and well (though some would disagree). It’s not an uncommon phenomenon nowadays to hear the phrase “add me up in Facebook” or “i-Friendster mo ako.” Some would even go as far as to say that the social networks have now replaced the most commonly used form of communication (as opposed to text messaging).

Would I go as far as saying that the Philippines has become the social media capital of the world? Probably not. But, we could be heading in that direction. In the recent Wave 4 study done by Universal McCann, these are some internet usage stats that were discovered:

• 67.51% of online Pinoys have uploaded videos to a video sharing site
• while 98.1% have watched videos online

… and more stats from the Wave 3 study:

• 83% of online Filipinos are part of a social network
• 86.4% have uploaded photos
• 90% of online Pinoys have read a blog

Along with the rise in popularity of Microblogging in the Philippines, I will place my money on Social Media to be around for quite some time. And just today, I came across this article. Needless to say, we have learned to utilize the internet and a lot of its offerings — for the mundane to the life-changing. And in the coming years, I can only see our usage of these new mediums to increase, as we find more and more ways to connect, share and let people know what we are up to. Social media capital? Not just yet.

But in the meantime, i-Facebook niyo ako.