Social impact and social media analysis relating to big data

Abstract

Social media is a component of a larger dynamic and complex media and information domain. As the connection with Big Data grows, its impact in the social media domain cannot be avoided. It is vital that while the positive impact needs to be recognized, the negative impact emerging from Big Data analysis as a social computational tool needs to be recognized and responded to by various agencies. There have been major investments in the development of more powerful digital infrastructure and tools to tackle new and more complex and interdisciplinary research challenges. While there is a need to size the opportunities offered by continuing advances in computational techniques for analyzing social media, the effective use of human expertise cannot be ignored. Using the right data, in the right way and for the right reasons, can change lives for the better, especially if Big Data is used discriminately and transparently. This chapter analyzes the impact of Big Data from social media platforms in the social, political, and economic spheres. Further, the discriminate use of Big Data analysis from social media platforms is explored, within the context of ethical conduct by potential users and proposes important imperatives to minimize, if not control, the negative impact of Big Data analysis from a social perspective.