Final answer:
Sociality in digital media fosters new forms of interaction and shapes relationships, influenced by media ideology. Social media is categorized by various functions: social networking, discussion forums, and media sharing among others. It's also a tool for both information sharing and the spread of misinformation, as seen with the illicit use of digital media.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of sociality in the context of digital media refers to the new forms of interaction and community building that occur through various online platforms. Digital media, including social media, have reshaped how friendships and romantic relationships develop, often providing a venue for public expression and connection that wasn't available in the past. Understanding the concept of media ideology is also critical, as it pertains to the beliefs about how media should be used and the messages that are conveyed through media channels.
Social media has diversified into multiple categories, including types such as social networking, bookmarking, social news, media sharing, microblogging, and online forum sites. These sites demonstrate the range and functions of these categories. Platforms appeal to different age groups and serve various purposes, being social and Reddit fostering topic-based discussions.
Unfortunately, there are also examples of illicit use of digital media, like the spread of the QAnon conspiracy through social media posts on platforms . These occurrences highlight the potential for misinformation to propagate across social networks. In academic writing, references to social media posts and online forums are becoming commonplace, acknowledging the influence these platforms have. The '9th category' of social media is not specifically defined, instead representing the ongoing and evolving nature of social media platforms.