Blog #1: How do you use the Internet? How does your Internet use compare to some other persons in your family?

         I use the Internet much differently than the rest of my family does. In fact, everyone in the world has unique reasons for using the Internet. Its true, no two search Histories are the same! It was actually really interesting to think about each one of my family members Internet use and how it affects them as a person and vise-versa.

        I started off by analyzing both of my sisters Internet use. My oldest sister, Jessica is a Public Relations associate at a PR company in NYC. Shes 24 years old and very new to her company so she spends ALOT of time at work. Therefore, her Internet use is mostly work related. After she gets out of work she always says she watched her fair share of Netflix. Shes quite the fashionista and spends pretty much the rest of her Internet time shoe shopping! Jess doesn't use social media quite as much as I do, but she does tweet and instagram occasionally. She rarely uses her Facebook anymore, even though she used to spend countless hours on it during her college years. 

     Next, I thought about my 15 year old sister, Allys Internet usage. She spends most of her time online on social media. My sister is a very typical boy crazy teenager and has a huge celebrity crush on a Vine star, Jack Gilinsky. Its interesting how when I was her age, Vine wasn't even a thought- we had celebrity crushes on actors and singers- not social media moguls! Anyways, because she is so enthralled in Jack Gilinksy she spends countless hours checking out his social media accounts and his friends accounts and his friends friends accounts. As far as other forms of Internet usage, like her sisters Ally loves to shop as well. She also has a fascination with real estate, which is kind of strange for a 15 year old. She spends tons of time searching houses (mostly mansions) all around the world. She has folders on her computer titled My Future California House filled with probably a hundred picture of houses. She even started searching for my parents future retirement houses! 

    Speaking of my parents, they use the Internet quite often but definitely not nearly as much as us kids. My dad owns a company that distributes paper and plastic products to restaurants and schools across CT. He uses the Internet for work related matters throughout the day. He also uses the Internet to follow sports. He is a huge New York sports fan and always needs to know the scores of every team. He also does fantasy sports online. My dad isn't too active on social media, however he does have a Facebook that he checks often and updates a few times per week. I hate to admit this, but my dad is more popular on Facebook than I am. He gets significantly more likes and comments on the content he posts! Weird, right? I guess that shows how the Facebook demographic is shifting. I recently heard that seniors are the fast growing demographic on Facebook. 

   It took my mom a while to start using the internet often but now that shes on it, shes pretty hooked! She had always said she would never ever get a Facebook. She has a Facebook. She doesn't use it too often, but she does like to use it to check up on me and my older sister because we live out of state and don't see her often. Other than Facebook, my mom uses the internet to shop....alot. She might be one of Nordstorms most active site user (haha!) My mom uses the internet to look up recipes as well. Shes a phenomenal cook and is always trying out new foods and styles. Another way she uses the Internet is to look up ideas for interior design. She isn't a professional interior designer, but she should be. In fact, I keep telling her she should start an interior design blog! 

 So, after reviewing my families internet use I thought about my OWN internet use. I have may similarities between my usage and my families however there are a lot of differences as well. To start, I spend a ridiculous amount of time on social media. I have almost every form of social media account and I do use them often. In fact, my job is in the social media field, so I spend tons of time on social networks & researching social media news and practices! Aside from social media, I'm also very interested in fashion! I love online shopping and reading fashion blogs. I also recently started using an online consignment store to sell old clothes in my closet! Ive been making some pretty good money from it too! In addition to fashion, I'm also just overall interested in pop culture. I enjoy reading about celebrity news, and just random news happening around the world. I read lots of articles and watch lots of miscellaneous videos. Ive been told I'm very hip and always know something about ever thing. I have the Internet to thank for that! I really cant imagine a life without the internet. It is such an integral part of my life.