In Tom Chiang Jr's article, Social Media in Society, Chiang discusses the functional role of mass media in society. Chaing is a college professor, teaching an introductory sociology course. Chiang’s claims the functional role of mass media is to teach and enforce norms, values, and beliefs in a society to further social unity. Throughout the article, he expresses how social media is a place for social movements to get their messages across and create action. Chiang continues to back up his claim “social media facilitates social movements,” and expands by saying people collectively come together for online fundraising. This could be as simple as someone is struggling and needs to get back on their feet or be something on a larger scale, such as a lifesaving surgery or unexpected family death. This is an example of how social media empowers its users to help others, followed by the option of reposting or interacting with a post.

Summer Allen's article on Social Media's Growing Impact on Our Lives, focuses on researchers examining how time spent on social media is and is not impacting our daily lives. Particularly, they look into social media and how it affects relationships, teenagers' interactions, and risks of expanding social networks.