July 13, 2022

Augmented Reality and Social Media

The onset of social media has revolutionized social interaction. The possibility of communicating with people from anywhere has taken the world by storm.

Social media pages such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube have grown into multi-billion dollar industries due to their popularity.


Augmented Reality and Social Media: eAskme
Augmented Reality and Social Media: eAskme

Thanks to the constant evolution of technology, we now have augmented reality (AR) which promises to improve how we interact.

In the last few years, software engineers have found ways to improve AR software and integrate the invention into everyday fields.

The most impressive of these achievements is the possible creation of a metaverse.

Although still a concept, the metaverse is a universe based on a virtual reality that would change how people interact with social media and their environment.

What Is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality simulates the real, physical world delivered through digital, visual, sound, and sensory stimuli.

This reality can be merged with fictional characters or historical events in a realistic manner.

In simpler terms, AR mimics real life and blends it with other fictitious items or realities.

For years after its invention, augmented reality was game-based as it activated different senses in players.

However, several fields have applied the AR concept and successfully utilized the invention over time.

The smartphone, for instance, now offers some elements of AR as it interacts with the senses of touch and sight.

Moreover, mobile games such as Pokémon work under the principles of AR. Such games transport players to different realities while making them look as real as possible.

To understand the AR concept better, here is a list of examples of AR-based equipment used in different sectors:

  • Navigation systems use AR to impose a route over the view of a road.
  • The helmet visors in military pilot helmets show AR projections of the scene.
  • Surgeons use real-time AR projections of their patients during surgery.
  • Historical sites use AR projections to show ancient civilizations over the ruins.
  • Broadcasters in football games use AR to draw lines during game analysis.

Research is also underway to infuse AR into other fields, such as agriculture and architecture. However, AR might have a more significant impact on social media as it will transform social media interactions from the message, picture, or video-based content we know to potential 3D interactions.

AR and Social Media:

Snapchat was the first social platform to tap into the AR field with filters that mimicked human faces.

The filters grew in popularity and are now part of the social media experience

Besides the filters, social media also incorporates AR to enhance the communal experience.

Although the evolution of filters is impressive, developers have found better ways to use AR in social media.

Here are recent examples:

In 2019, Snapchat introduced body tracking, which allowed users to track the locations of their loved ones when connected to the internet.

WhatsApp recently updated its locations feature, allowing users to share their live locations for short periods.

Such features not only improve the interaction between social media users but also improve their security.

Benefits of AR:

AR technology has a significant impact in different fields. Moreover, this technology improves with time and will soon become daily life.

There are many benefits to using AR, whether for individuals or institutions, such as:

Helping people learn from others:

AR in social media helps improve our understanding of different cultures and experiences outside our own.

Moreover, AR application in the field of education has had a big impact on teaching and learning.

Allowing users to share their experiences:

Communicating with opponents while playing a game, sharing live locations, or making videos using filters amplifies the social media experience.

Social media users are, therefore, more inclined to share stories about their life using these features.  

Giving businesses a platform to promote themselves:

For businesses, AR is a tool that helps with advertising and marketing.

Many companies use the filter feature in Snapchat as a visibility tool.

Tapping into AR technology's full potential can boost any business's sales.  

Improving the navigation of self-driving vehicles:

Automatic automobiles use AR to enhance the navigation features of their vehicles.

Merging virtual reality, AR, and AI training can help improve the way these vehicles maneuver themselves.

Disadvantages of AR:

Augmented reality is beneficial to many areas of our lives. However, there are a few disadvantages that bear mentioning:

Expensive to use:

Augmented reality is still very costly to implement.

Small businesses and organizations might not afford the cost of introducing AR in their institutions.

Moreover, the maintenance of the systems, especially the automated kind, is even more expensive.

Increased security and privacy concerns:

AR can make it difficult for people to differentiate between real-life and fictional events. This can lead to security breaches or hacking for users of the AR platforms.

Moreover, AR offers the option of anonymous identity.

This ability encourages online bullying or nasty behavior.

You'll want to research VPNs and proxies to protect yourself from these vices.  

Encourages addiction and health issues:

The use of social media is already addictive enough.

Adding the excitement of AR and AI-generated applications might cause more severe cases of smartphone fever.

An accumulation of AR devices and their constant use can also lead to increased health issues.

Stay Safe on the Internet:

Although there are many advantages to the advances made to social media, it is the cause of several security issues for users.

Problems such as online bullying, stalking, and internet-related crime have increased on the platforms we use to keep in touch and network with others.

Additionally, it is now easier for hackers to access personal information and infiltrate people's banks and financial details.

The rise of AR, especially on social media platforms, might increase the likelihood of such cases.

It is crucial, therefore, to keep you and your loved ones safe by protecting your social media accounts.

Try VPNs or proxies for Facebook and other platforms that help keep your identity private and your data safe from hackers.

Stay tuned with us for more updates.

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