WINNER 2026 Textbook Excellence Award - Textbook & Academic Authors Association

Exploring social media's integration with modern society, this text empowers students to understand the impact of social media on their lives as both content consumers and creators.

This thoroughly updated second edition includes a new chapter exploring the emergence and impact of AI, AR, ML, and IR technologies and the benefits and concerns they present for society.

Features include:
-Full color layout engages student attention with useful graphics and photos
-In Theory Boxes attach theoretical concepts to practice and engage students with a final Think About It question.
-Relational/Societal/Self Boxes offer unifying perspectives to help provide students with a greater understanding of how technology, culture, democracy, economy, and audience fragmentation interact. Each box ends with one or more Think About It questions.
-Ethical Spotlight Boxes reveal ethical dilemmas to get students asking about what's right and wrong and who gets to decide within the social media landscape. Ethics discussions foster critical reflection on key concepts, encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with the material.
-Chapter Wrap-Up, Critical Thinking Questions, Explore and Engage Activities, and Key Concepts reinforce chapter concepts and emphasize skill application.
-Ancillary materials on the publisher's website include an instructor's manual, quizzes, lecture slides, and a sample syllabus.

Regina Luttrell, senior associate dean at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, is a respected educator and scholar. She leads intricate research endeavors, fosters interdisciplinary partnerships, and has authored numerous books and journal articles.
Adrienne A. Wallace is associate professor at Grand Valley State University, where she teaches courses in advertising and public relations. Adrienne has more than 22 years of professional experience in both the public and private sectors, including nonprofit, health, education, government, hospitality, politics, lobbying, and finance. She is a Kopenhaver Center Fellow, a frequent contributor to industry publications, and a conference speaker on all things related to digital/social media strategy, student-run firms, and experiential learning design.