As early as 1994, websites such as theglobe.com and tripod.com have been trying to bring people together to share thoughts, ideas, and personal information. With a very limited crowd of internet users, it was not until 2003 when social networking sites took off. Myspace.com exploded on to the scene, with its user friendly interface, and convenient access to friends and family. People across the globe turned to Myspace for so many reasons. Myspace helps people to keep in touch with relatives, meet new people, and be better acquainted with co-workers and schoolmates. In 3 short years, Myspace recieved its 100 millionth user in September of 2006, and has 200,000 new users every day. Facebook is the only other site to rival Myspace's success, and in 2006 they took the lead when it allowed the non-college student community to join in.
Unfortunately, social networking is not all lollipops and gumdrops. People have took full advantage of these sites using them with shameful intents. Fake accounts are created to "fish" people on to other web sites, kind of like a forced advertisment. Degrading comments and message boards are made viewable to the public, by resentful users. And an increase in online predator "attacks" have surfaced due to easy accessablity to other accounts. There have been several changes made to eliminate the negative factors of social networking, but people will always find a way to create havoc.
All in all, social networking can be a great tool when used for its designed purpose. Although it is one of the most convenient ways to interact with others, we must not rely to heavily on this source alone, or we may lose our skills to effectively communicate with others. 4 minutes left!Peace
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Facebook has been helpful when talking to my family back in Wisconsin, but it's not the same as face to face. I think social networks should be used for long distance, ut not to talk to someone just next door.
ReplyDeleteFacebook and Myspace are great tools if used in the right manner but they can also be the downfall. Many people take pictures at parties and put them up on these websites. Often, employers use these websites to find out what kind of employee they are hiring. All they need to do for Myspace is search your name and your account will pop up. Facebook on the other hand requires you to be a "friend" to be allowed to view the content on these pages. That is one reason I deleted my Myspace account but still have my Facebook account. Facebook helps me keep in touch with friends, family, and to find new friends.
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