Final answer:
Digital media encompasses digital tools that enable near-instant communication and cultural symbol transmission, altering the way societies interact. The shift from traditional to new media, such as social media and instant messaging, has had significant cultural and political impacts, while also giving rise to discussions on the digital divide.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Digital Communication and its Impacts on Culture
Digital media uses digital tools to communicate with near-instant transmission of cultural symbols from person to person. This is in contrast to traditional media formats such as television that were once the primary source of shared cultural experiences. In the context of social studies, this phenomenon falls under the umbrella of digital socialities, which examines how people engage with each other using digital platforms and the transformations these engagements bring to personal and political domains.
New media are forms of electronic communication made possible by computer and digital technologies. These include various platforms like social media, instant messaging, and email. They provide quick, interactive, targeted, and potentially democratic forms of communication, contributing to the rapid spread of ideas and information. Moreover, digital media have played a pivotal role in major global events, serving as a platform for spreading news and initiating movements, from the Arab Spring to events like the Egyptian Revolution.
Consequently, there is an ongoing discussion about the digital divide and its implications. It refers to the uneven access to technology based on race, class, and geographic lines, affecting how different societal groups participate in the new media landscape. With the advent of new media, modes of interacting through communication technologies may come into conflict with traditional face-to-face norms, creating unique cultural dynamics.