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4. What is New Media?

What is New Media

We define "new media" as interactive forms of communication that use the Internet, including podcasts, RSS feeds, social networks, text messaging, blogs, wikis, virtual worlds and more!

New media makes it possible for anyone to create, modify, and share content and share it with others, using relatively simple tools that are often free or inexpensive. New media requires a computer or mobile device with Internet access.

New media tools can help you:

• CONNECT people with information and services. This includes connecting individuals with healthcare providers and people living with HIV with one another. New media can also connect the families, friends, and caregivers of people living with HIV ands AIDS to resources for their loved ones and themselves.
• COLLABORATE with other people—including those within your organization or community.
• CREATE new content, services, communities, and channels of communication that help you deliver information and services.

What do the Federal government, state and local health departments, AIDS service organizations, and individuals looking for information on HIV and AIDS have in common? They are all using new media tools to connect, collaborate, and create around HIV information and resources.

For examples of people using new media tools to respond to HIV, visit the AIDS.gov blog.