Abstract
Social network is an important aspect of an individual’s life. There are various platforms that people can use to connect to each other and through networks. People can connect on an online platform or through the one on one connection which can involve a group of people. The purpose of connection is to ensure that communication, connection and marketing can be eventuated
There are a number of issues that hinder and promote the use and even benefits of social networks. This issues can either promote the use or degrade the use of social networks. This is the reason that social networks are used on a wide scale. The security enhanced on social media sites is not safe for their use and therefore individuals and users are urged to ensure that they practice caution in order to guarantee the safe use of social sites as well as the safety of other users online.
Social Networking
Introduction
Social networking is the act of connecting with people on an online platform. The focus is usually on a basis for people who have similar interests or likes in life. The work of the social site is to ensure that the people are connected so as to ensure that the sharing of the various interests is done. This is important in ensuring the connection is beneficial to the individual and the network.
Importance of social networks
Social networks have become part of life in today’s world. They determine a number of activities for individuals, corporate and even government agencies. This is the reason that the networks are important ad they have to be highlighted in order to ensure that the benefit of connection is achieved. Social networks enable communication, sharing of files and even the holding of meetings through multimedia sharing applications.
The sharing of real life situations, activities, and other human connections is done through social networks. They determine most of the connections which are effected by the need to communicate and express ourselves. Therefore the importance of social networks stem from the need to communicate, effect marketing, carry out research and surveys as well as entertain the individuals.
The costs of networking are not large as compared to traditional means of networking. This therefore makes social networking an easy part of life since an individual does not have to strain in order to socialize. The costs incurred are minimal and to some extent they are free, considering the benefits of networking.
Social networking sites are integrative and they involve real time communication and sharing of files. It means that an individual can easily connect to the outside world, get information and even an update about other individuals or even areas as they happen. There is the tendency of individuals to be in real time contact with others which makes social networks an important tool to guarantee
Social networks provide unmatched convenience and flexibility in communication. This is through the essence of time and location. You find that the connection can happen at the convenience of the bedroom, the office or even in a vehicle. It means that people are interconnected on the go and they can make connections at the convenience of their time and any place. This makes social sites important in that there are no restrictions on the place and even time that determines there use. A social network is not like an office or a public phone that requires business hours in order to be used.
Social networks are important utilities in the economy. They trigger the use of the internet, the buying of the user devices and even marketing. These aspects are important in the development of the economy as more is done to contribute to the product and service exchange. These activities are important to contribute to the revenue of the nation or even the individual.
Brand Development
The use of social sites tends to put the company and the customers on an interactive platform. It means that individuals can connect to the company and personally make inquiries as well make orders or seek clarification. Real time answers can be sent to them in order to ensure that business is enhanced. This is vital to the business since social media running costs are insignificant as compared to the benefits given to the company.
Reviews
Social networks provide important product and item reviews. The reviews are vital in helping decision making about products and services to be undertaken. This means that an individual can use the social networks to guarantee or even choose an important service to be used. Therefore, this works to improve individual decision making skills and even save on time wasted to look for a specific item that maybe hidden. Reviews will therefore help the individual to point out a specific product.
Marketing
It happens when a commodity or service is highlighted on the network. You find that the people on the social site get the chance to view the commodity or service being advertised. Therefore the use of social media is to ensure that individuals can read, view or play the advert. The use of social media for adverts is important in that it uses the large number of users online to get the message to the people. Users are many and they tend to be active at various times of the day, this gives the advert a good coverage as it is bound to reach a large and wide audience.
The rules for using social networks
It is important to understand the various stipulations that govern the use of social networks. The rules are important to ensure the security of the personal information and the benefit of social networks to an individual. This means that an individual has to practice care as they use social networks in order to be on the safe side of the technology.
Security
The security of the individual is prime to use of social networks. It is important to consider the safety and security of yourself and the people in which you share circles. This is because social media can be a security threat to the individual or even the entire nation. There are instances when individuals hack social media accounts and steal important information. The information is therefore used for fraud or even impersonation purposes.
It is recommended that the social media user should not use the utility to promote sex explicit materials, or even threaten and harass other individuals using the media. There are instances when child abuse or even bullying can happen through social networks. These is where an individual targets small children on the network to use them to propel his or her evil agenda. It is important to practice safe use of social media sites so as to ensure that the experience is beneficial to all the individuals.
Cyber-stalking
This is another wrong use of social networking. It is required that individuals stay on course and avoid using social media and its setting to stalk other users. There are instances when individuals use the advantage of social media to illegally watch the activities of other people. These use makes users vulnerable to security threats. It is important to use social media and its tool for its intended use and avoid jeopardizing other user’s freedom.
Hijackers
There are instances when other individuals try to get access into other individual’s accounts. This forced entry is a security threat and it is a crime. There is need to respect the privacy of other users on the network as infringing their privacy makes it hard for them to get the full benefits of social media. The case in which a user realizes a case of a break in in his or her account, there are high chances that the individual will be psychological depressed.
Safe use of social networks
There is no need for an individual to succumb to pressure or trends that are pushed by other individuals. As much as social networks encourage the interaction of people. The independence of character is important in ensuring that the individual does not get influenced into doing or thinking in the same direction as other users online. Social media is an active hub, therefore there is a likelihood that a user may be carried out in the activities.
It is important to have a specific goal when visiting social sites. This is because there are a number of activities that take place online and it is important that an individual follows a schedule so as to avoid wandering off. This can be triggered by the various activities and individuals who are active on the platform. Therefore, having a schedule or a guide tends to direct the various activities that the individual does online. This will help the individual to achieve his or her target.
It is imperative to always consider personal security on social networks. This is because a number of individuals access the sites and therefore it is vital to ensure that they are protected and that the user is also protected. The best way to ensure that one is protected is to avoid posting or even saving personal information on social sites. This is because a fraudulent party can access it and in the instance use it to expose or even use it to access more important information of the user.
Conclusion
Social media is an important part of life. There are a number of benefits that include sharing of files, like pictures videos, there are instances when individuals can connect and communicate to each other and it is also important to ensure that social media helps in marketing. The benefits of social media have brought about quick decision making, marketing and even reviewing of important products and services on the online platform.
There is the use of social media in propagating awareness through activities and even social involvements both in education and sports. This makes the social sites important in supporting human integration and even the propagation of knowledge. This makes it vital for use in government, corporate and individual capacities. There are also disadvantages that come with social media which are coiled around security and safety of users online. Users online are vulnerable to illegal surveillance and stalking, cyber bullying and even fraudulent activities online.
The online community is an important base to do marketing since they are active in participation. They determine the direction of activities and even products and therefore it is important to keep them engaged. Therefore, social sites need to have a regulated policy by an individual to guarantee the benefit of being online. That means that in order to experience the benefits of social sites, one has to practice caution that is aimed to guarantee the safety of others and himself or herself online.
References
Business. (n.d.). Benefits of Social Media. Retrieved from Business: http://www.business.gov.au/business-topics/business-planning/social-media/Pages/benefits-of-social-media.aspx
SHRM. (2012, January 6). Social Media: What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Networking Sites? What Should we Include in a Policy? Retrieved from SHRM: https://www.shrm.org/templatestools/hrqa/pages/socialnetworkingsitespolicy.aspx
Social Networking Sites. (n.d.). Retrieved from Get Safe Online: https://www.getsafeonline.org/social-networking/social-networking-sites/
Webwise. (2012, October 10). What are Social Networking Sites? Retrieved from BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/webwise/guides/about-social-networking
