Final answer:
Anyone with the ability to agree to a platform's terms and has an email or phone number can have a social media profile. Parents can manage profiles for their children, but users must be cautious, as profiles are often reviewed by employers and can impact professional reputation. Social media also provides a platform for widespread influence and activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anyone who meets the age requirements and agrees to the terms of service can have a social media profile. These platforms offer ample opportunities for demonstrating professional skills, networking with industry professionals, and potentially tapping into the hidden job market. However, building and maintaining a professional online image is essential, especially considering employers often review social media profiles during the hiring process. Users should consistently update and strategize their use of social media to reflect a positive professional image.
In relation to the responsibilities and roles needed to create social media profiles, individuals often take on this role personally. Parents also have the choice to manage accounts for their children, a practice sometimes performed by "sharents" who may use profiles to share content related to their children's activities or endorsements. Additionally, with the increasing use of social media for organizing and activism, a user can quickly become a leader or influencer by effectively spreading awareness or rallying support for causes through platforms such as Twi-tter and Face-book.
While the democratizing potential of social media is significant, allowing anyone to become a publisher or influencer, the need for careful management of one's online presence cannot be overstated. Social media platforms' ease of use has contributed to their widespread adoption, transforming the way we engage with information and each other, for better or for worse.