Social Networking Sites

1. Social Networking Sites By Kendra Chapman, Michael Christie, Christian Fleming, Clare Graziano, Breana Potter, and Anastasia Buyalskya

2. Introduction • A social networking site is a medium to build and establish online communities of like-minded people who share common interests. • Social networking sites were created to provide people with an outlet to share information, communicate, and express themselves.

3. Introduction • Today, they are used regularly and are loved by millions of people. • There are several types of social networking sites. • Most of them are used as a tool to connect with friends or to even establish professional relationships.

4. Background Information • The idea of Social Networking Sites and computer mediated social interaction was suggested early on. There were many early efforts to support these ideas by sites such as Usenet, LISTSERV, and bulletin board services. • Some early Social networking websites included Classmates.com (1995) which focuses on reconnecting old schoolmates, and SixDegrees.com which focuses on indirect ties. Profiles and friends lists could be created as well as messages sent. While some of these features existed in some form before these websites, this would be the first time that they were available in one whole package on the internet. • Two different models then came out in 1999 which were trust based and developed by Eopinions.com and friendship baded. Innovations included not only showing who is friends with whom, but it gave users more security and creativity. • Between 2002-2004 three social networking sites emerged as the most popular sites in the world. First there was Friendster, then MySpace, and finally Bebo. 2004 saw the creation of Facebook. When this network opened up to the non college community in 2006, it became the largest and fastest networking site in the world. • Social networking began to blossom as a component of many business strategies. Various social sites have been created catering to different languages and different countries. Now it is estimated that there are over 200 social networking sites.

5. Positive Aspects • Encourage development of social skills: Social networking sites provide an easy to use and cheap way of staying in touch, hence allowing individuals to stay in touch with people they might not call or email. Networking sites also expand individual networks in a non-intrusive way.   • Make it easier to get answers: Social networking sites make it very easy for individuals to find people that can answer any questions or inquiries they have about common interests or future plans. Many students use networking sites to discuss schoolwork and receive help on tougher subjects.   • Help out companies: Many larger companies have access to internet profiles, and many prospective employees know that. Employers sometimes look at online profiles in order to gain a better picture of their possible hires before making a decision, which often encourages hopeful employees to keep a professional profile and be thoughtful about the information they make accessible to the public.

6. Criticisms • Hanson’s “Social Spaces and Scary Places” • online networking sites, threaten both our privacy and our trust. • online networking sites, are making our social relationships more simplistic.  • Rajan’s “Shaddup Your Facebook” • social networking sites such as Facebook encourage shallow relationships and oversimplified communication. • People that use internet networking groups to get their “fifteen minutes of fame.”

7. Opinion • PRO-SOCIAL NETWORKING! • Overall, we believe that Social Networking Sites are more helpful than harmful. Though they there is a common idea that, like text messaging, they make people less personable, we don’t necessarily agree with this. • These types of websites should be seen as a growing and learning experience and not something that holds our generation back. • Websites like Facebook and MySpace are beneficial networking websites, if used properly, whether it be for social intentions or professional intentions. • The key to using these websites successfully is being mature about what you are doing and remembering the purpose for them.

8. Conclusion • In conclusion, it is without any doubt that the popularity and utilization of generic social networking sites will continue to rise as time goes on. This is because a social networking site, unlike any other tool we possess, enables us to stay connected despite the hindrances of distance and time. Also, in a world that is becoming more and more connected each day, the invaluable opportunity to create business relationships and perform collaborations might become more dynamically evident in the future. Yet, it is important to be mindful of the problems that arise from social networking sites and resolve them before they become endemic. Such problems include online bullying, stalking, and soliciting must be heavily policed so that social networking sites remain useful, safe, and fun. Recently in the news we have heard about a thirteen year-old girl who committed suicide after she was publically hazed on a networking site. This is a problem that needs to be addressed by site executives, legislators, and people in any regular community. Above all social networking sites should remain as vehicles in which larger communities can be formed and expressed.

9. THE END!!!