Here’s our latest update on last week’s social media trends in Sri Lanka and around the world.
This week our team wrote about:
Our Blogs
- YouTube: an overlooked PR goldmine in Sri Lanka – Why do Sri Lankan brands not use YouTube to promote themselves and why YouTube is actually a cost-effective and interactive form of PR.
What Went Viral in Sri Lanka?
- SAITM protest
Anti-SAITM protests have been all the talk for the past several months and it still does not seem to show signs of dissipating. The most recent protest which was held in Colombo on the 18th of May, ended with the interference of the police and arrests amid injuries to 21 students and 05 police officers in the chaos that ensued. The law enforcement authorities had to be called in when things got aggressive and the students involved in the protests were deemed as carrying out activities which were disruptive or harassing towards others, or a violation of the law. The leader of the protests, an individual named Lahiru, drew a lot of attention on social media as many of the public seem to believe that he is carrying out his own political agenda in all of this. The fact that he is known to be older than other students also put him in the spot as the possible “protestor zero” on this occasion. Aren’t the SAITM protests getting a bit too old? At least, it provides inspiration for some hilarious memes.
- More rain than we bargained for? The Wellawatta building collapse and other rain-related accidents.
With a uber-crazy heatwave that has been going on, all of us are guilty of wishing for a bit of a downpour. However, Sri Lanka might just have gotten more than it bargained for when the winds and rains hit hard during midday on the 18th May sending the entire city of Colombo and even suburbs into disarray. The tragedies started with the collapse of the Wellawatte building in which 02 individuals are still missing, 21 injured and 01 casualty. It almost looked like a chain reaction as a pandal toppled in Kiribathgoda damaging 04 vehicles, trees fell across roads and railways in Nugegoda and in front of Nelum Pokuna, a roof flew off near Racecourse, a container toppled on Baseline Road and a roadside collapse at Kohilawatte junction.
This Week’s International Hubbub
- Chris Cornell, the Soundgarden and Audioslave musician, suicide confirmed
To the vast majority of Rock fans across the globe the death of legend, Chris Cornell came as a shock followed by absolute disbelief. The Soundgarden and Audioslave artist is known for songs like Rusty Cage and Black Hole Sun was said to have committed suicide during the night on the 17th Wednesday. His death was from hanging himself and his wife Vicki, speculated that it could have been brought on by an accidental overdose in his anti-depressants. Either way, his loss leaves a void for sure in the Rock industry; his vocals and personality would be mourned and missed by fans across the world for many years to come.
- Study finds Instagram ranks worst for youth mental health
A UK snapshot survey suggested that Instagram could be possibly rated as the worst social media platform for the mental health of youths. 1,479 people aged 14-24 were asked to rate which platform out of 5 has the most negative impact on users. The parameters were anxiety, depression, loneliness, bullying and body image. The Royal Society for Public Health has stated that SM platforms should flag heavy users as this could be an indication of mental health crisis.However, the reports also suggested that by making these forums a safe place for users, social media could also be a tool for good.
Of the major social media platforms, study finds Instagram ranks worst for youth mental health https://t.co/8l2viHNNhW pic.twitter.com/GFWJBGRLN9
— CTV News (@CTVNews) May 19, 2017
Stats of the Week
Wimal weerawansa maintains a good interrelation between his Facebook and YouTube Channel, for which, statistics are as follows:
Total Subscribers -3,639
Total Videos -658
Total views -1,732,530
Wimal Weerawansa as a controversial political personality in Sri Lanka has always been active in terms of maintaining and building PR with the public. It’s probably why, that be it for the positive or otherwise, he always remains in discussion. Any PR is great PR when it comes to politics, specially.
Ape Rata is a Facebook page that finds its purpose in speaking out against morally incorrect issues. Political matters and generally any important information that should be given to the public of Sri Lanka. While their Facebook page is active and ranks as one of the top 05 fastest growing media Facebook pages, the YouTube likes and engagement is dismal. Given the context of what they do, YouTube could easily become a crucial marketer for the page and their channel and would also give them scope to explore creativity and appeal better to the public.
Ape Rata YouTube Channel statistics are as follows:
Total Subscribers -193
Total Videos -88
Total views -202,293
Things you should know
- Facebook puts Messenger, Instagram notifications in one place
Facebook that acts as the parent app of Instagram and Messenger, has decided to combine its apps into a more convenient and tidy experience. The latest feature that is being rolled out is one that consolidates Facebook, Instagram and Messenger notifications on the Facebook app. The feature aims to increase the time that users spend on Facebook while also getting rid of the mess of having to individually check notifications.