Review: A Social Media Survival Guide by Melody Karle

A Social Media Survival Guide

by Melody Karle

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Pages: 184

Format: eARC

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  The every person's guide to social media... how to use it and what never to do.

Are you trying to figure out how to safely use social media but finding yourself struggling? Here's a book specifically designed to help regular people figure out social media platforms.

It begins with a chapter about social media basics: how they normally work, why people use them, and general safety tips. It is easy to get confused by the large number of options that are out there so this book breaks down each major network into its own chapter. Chapters are included for:

Facebook
Snapchat
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube
Twitter
Reddit, and
Tumblr.

Because each social media platform has its their own rules, benefits, and challenges, each chapter gives a summary of the platform and tells the reader why people use it. Next, each chapter has a glossary of terms to explain language and slang that are used. This will help people who are new to social media learn about terminology like subreddits, retweets, and more.

If readers decide to use the platform (or already use it and want to learn more), each chapter guides users through a "how-to" of using each platform. This includes the basic functionality, setting up profiles, settings, and odd features that even current users may not know about. Privacy and safety are also covered, with a platform-specific section devoted to these important issues in each chapter. Two final chapters cover other notable social media platforms that readers might want to know about and archiving tips for saving social media posts and information.

Kritters Thoughts:  An almost textbook for most/all the social medias that are out there.  I knew going into this book that I felt pretty savvy on some of websites, but was interested to read the basics for all and get a schooling on some that I don't use at all.  

I would recommend this book to any parent to read themselves if they are not versed in social media and then also to read it with their kids.  It really talks about privacy and which social media websites that are built to be very public and some that are built to be more private circles.  I think this would be something to review with your child as they start signing up and choosing which social media avenue will be the best one for them.  

I did wonder while reading this book how quickly it could be obsolete and outdated.  As there are constant updates and new apps added, this book may need to be quickly updated and reviewed as our world and technology are ever changing.  


Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Ebook 2019 Challenge: 68 out of 100


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Netgalley.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.