The Perspective of Creative Practitioners on the Use of Social Media Among Creative Arts Students

Constant development of new media technology has exposed young people to a vast range of creative opportunities. The emergence of social media reduces the barriers in getting in touch not only among individuals and society at large, but also within industry. For creative arts students especially, social media permit them to communicate directly with and learn from industry practitioners, an activity common only to this era. The role of social media in fostering creative learning, giving opportunities for exposure and encouraging positive participation among creative students on social media is also seen as a catalyst for uplifting students' employability. This paper offers views of creative practitioners on the use of social media among creative arts students. Data for this study were collected through in-depth interview sessions with five creative industry practitioners. While the practitioners thought that social media were a good platform for creative learning, sharing and networking, they also expressed their concerns about the skills and attitude of creative arts students for enhancing creative productivity. The paper argues that creative arts students need to fully utilise the features available in social media, leading to better opportunities amid uncertainties surrounding employability.