Introduction
With the technological advancement, the world is shrinking at a fast pace. Everyone seems to be connected with each other over the internet. This is mainly possible due to the advent of the various social networking sites like Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and Skype. It is a truth that human being is a social animal, and humans need social interaction for various purposes of survival, existence, and sustenance. Sometimes, communication is a tool necessary not only for quenching the thirst of knowledge, but also for resolving conflicts. Many people believe that frequent interaction with various people across the globe can free them from the feeling of boredom and also helps immensely in sharing their views effortlessly. The first thing that people used to do nowadays whenever they are coming back from a vacation is to updates their photographs on Facebook. Many people find these sites to be an excellent and interesting platform where they can re-connect with their old school and college friends.
Background
Even school kids now log in to Facebook and Twitter after returning from their schools and update their status. No wonder, most often they find a friend online and end up in chatting for long hours. By the use of these sites , one can create his own individual presence over the internet where he or she can share all views, ideas and photographs with his or her friends for their feedback. Now, one can also receive text alerts over their cell phones through Facebook by just inputting their phone numbers in the requisite field. However, many still feel that the irony of this communication is that for the need of remaining connected online round the clock, people are really avoiding face to face communication. Rather they are not finding ample time to visit their friend in real sense and build social interaction.
Body
We think that social networking was a new phenomenon, and that this was absent prior to the mushrooming networks like Facebook and Myspace. This is not at all the truth. In fact, the existence of social networking dates back to 1971 when the first email was sent from one computer to the other. After all, networking is all about remaining in touch with one another. Do not you remember the days when we all in our childhood used to hang out with our friends during the vacation? That was also social networking at that time zone. The main purpose is instant conversation and this is achieved successfully by the existing social networking sites. Now the definition has changed with the arrival of the internet and its easy access.
Later, it was in 1994 when we saw the emergence of the first social networking site. And, it was GEOCITIE, and it became an instant hit with the youngsters. It was soon followed by THEGLOBE.COM . The uniqueness of this website lies in the fact that for the first time users were allowed to personalize their web experience and publish their own content in a hassle free manner. AOL Instant Messenger and SIXDEGREES.COM further give momentum to this movement of social networking by incorporating many interesting features like instant messaging, friend listing, individual profile creation etc. It was with the launch of Facebook in 2004, that the social networking becomes a full fledged addiction and activity. It is estimated that over 600 million people all over the world use Facebook on a daily basis to meet their need of interaction with friends and loved ones.
Disadvantages
Like a coin, everything has two sides. So, social networking also comes falls in this category. There are certain disadvantages like breach of privacy and narcissism. Believe it or not, youngsters are now getting addicted to the virtual world, where they have the power to choose their friends. Many believe that youngsters are now tempted to create a false image of themselves over the net which is appealing to others. Many also indulge in acting as opposite genders by creating a fake profile and posting fake pictures. This enables them to chat with those people with whom they are not comfortable in a face-to-face interaction. So, the need of the hour is to avoid such a practice as this poses a dangerous threat to the overall personality of that user in a long run.
Conclusion
Based on the intensive and extensive interpration and analysis of social networking from multiple viewpoints and perspectives, it can be safely concluded that in spite of having multifarious limitations and disadvantages of fake representation theft of personal data or identity, it makes good sense to assume and believe firmly that the social networking is here to stay. Using this boon of modern science, specific information can be made available easily and shared in no less time using various networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. But, there is need to be on guard about disclosing one’s personal or embarrassing information to anyone over these sites. In addition, one should always use the privacy settings in a good way to limit the access of the information shared. The beauty of social networking lies in the fact that people who live far away from their homeland due to work commitments and education can actually remain in touch with their loved ones at a very reasonable cost. Eventually, it is my firm conviction that everyone will try to use this miracle of 21st centuary judiciously so as to ensure the true and happy social networking environment, and make this world a place where there is love and respect through the showering of social networking boom.
Works Cited
- Stubbs, M., Barnet,S.& Cain, E. William. The Little Brown Reader. Longman. 2007. Print.
- Lusted, Amidon. Marcia : Social Networking: MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter, United States Of America, 2011.Print.
- Ryan, K. Peter: Social Networking, New York, 2011. Print
- Goodman, Lechan. Cynthia; Leff, Barbara: The Everything Guide to Narcissistic Personality Disorder: Professional, reassuring advice for coping with the disorder - at work, at home, and in your family, 2011. Print
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