Social networking is referred to as grouping of people, mostly those who share common interest, into particular faction. Since time immemorial this grouping of individuals has always been present in schools, work places and other places of social gathering, but today social networking mostly occurs over the net via social media. Social Medias are interned based devices that facilitate easier communication, cooperation, interaction, connection and interrelation of its users. Social networking platforms like Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, MySpace, Wikipedia, LinkedIn, Blogs and message boards are the most common social media.
Another common Social media is Twitter. This is a micro blogging social network tool where users post passages referred to as “tweets” which other Twitter members can “follow”. A member gets to choose who can follow their tweets. A blog is a site put up to offer information on events, topics of discussion and also share ideas. A blog can incorporate videos, photos, sounds, texts and also links to related sites. YouTube is a video watching an video sharing site where people can upload recorded videos and the general public can access an watch them. Wikipedia is an information bank that contributors can edit. It also offers links to related information.
Social networks have been blamed for a number of improper social behaviors and crimes that form the basis of its critic’s arguments. These are the cons/ disadvantages associated with social networks. Critics argue that these sites allure people to waste more time socializing online rather than intermingling in flesh. This con bares very little weight as many people have met their spouses online. Social sites offer a starting point for a relationship before people can meet physically.
Another vice associated with social networks is cyber bulling and online predators such sex solicitors. Critics say that it is not easy to identify and stop these criminals since such people could open new accounts if they get caught. Contrary to this view, social network managers can install data filters on their sites to help curb these crimes and educating the public on how to identify people with malicious intentions and how to protect themselves from such kind of individuals.
Problems of over sharing personal information and the open nature of online profiles are a threat to security in that criminals are able to access personal information of users making identity theft easy. People may also post their vacation plans on these sites for the purpose of informing their friends of their plans only for criminals to come across this information which they to plan theft since they know when there will be no one at home. Fortunately, nowadays it is possible to restrict access to your profile by people you don’t know. In order for anyone to share with you they have to be your friends.
In relation to business, the number of workers accessing social networks through the office internet is very high and this translates to high internet bills for the organization. Low employee productivity, caused by time wastage while accessing social networks during working hours also translate to lower profits for the company. This might be a disturbing fact but it’s a concern that can be adequately tackled by rules and guidelines in the workplace. Monitoring the office internet is also a good way of dealing with this issue.
Quite the opposite of these critics view, social networks have added great value and helped improve people’s lives. They are also very useful for today’s businesses, big or small, for example in interactive marketing approach which is far much better than the conventional one-way marketing. Small enterprises can use social networks as a data bank, a place to find experts and recruit viable personnel as well as getting answers for questions that they post on these media. Through interactive marketing, the entrepreneur is able to recognize consumers’ needs and their concerns about certain products. He can also source for new markets, spread constructive gossip about his business thereby creating a good reputation for the business.
Contrary to the argument by critics that spouses spend less time together since they are on social networks, social media assists couples keep in touch and communicate regularly therefore strengthening their relationships. These media also allow people make new acquaintances and connect with friends and family especially where they are apart from each other. The social media allow people keep track of their relations lives’ through sharing photos, videos and text messaging.
Social media also promote education in the sense that students can discuss educational topics, plan careers and plan for college via these media. Through social media students can interact with colleagues from all over the world thus helping them learn how to express themselves better, improve on their reading and writing skill as well as improve their conflict resolution skills. Through interacting with students from diverse education cultures, they learn from the different education system from across the globe.
Through social media many people are getting help regarding diverse life issues such as: finding or changing jobs, finding available houses to rent or buy, where the best offers for buying cars are and getting advice on home care tips for sick relatives from friends and professional. Research also shows that social networking has a positive effect on its users. It decreases the peril of health problems, especially psychological, since people relieve stress by discussing thorny issues that are disturbing them, helps in memory retention, general welfare of people and generally improves their quality of life.
Social media allows children from low income backgrounds familiarize with computers and modern technology. Investigations substantiate the fact that about three quarters of kids from poor homes are registered in Facebook and MySpace. Through using these sites to upload videos and photographs, edit their profiles and share opinions, the kid have acquired witting, reading and comprehension skills. This has made sure that under-privileged children are not marginalized and they have a chance to enjoy the vast benefits of technology.
Through video and photo storage, blogging, messaging, games and other applications available in social networks, there is room for creative expression by users. In relation, social media brings together people with common interests from diverse cultures thus offering diversity in creative expression from all over the world. This diversity in culture helps users learn about those different cultures and maybe learn new languages which will ease social anxiety.
Social media is an influential instrument to use when advocating for social transformation. It is an alternative to the usual modes of communication when calling for social change. For instance, during the revolution that followed the Iranian poles in June 2009, organizers of the demonstrations used Twitter to get around government control over the media and telephones. With the absence of social networks such as Twitter, the Iranian revolt would have been thwarted by the Iranian regime due to easy control of conventional ways of communication. The anonymity prospects of social media aided in protecting those who were spreading information about the protest plan and schedule.
In conclusion, although social media has been portrayed in a bad way by its critics who say it is a derailment from the conservative way of communicating and although social networks have their pros and cons, the pros outweigh the cons. It is evident that those using social media sustain larger social networks and uphold these relationships more than non users. In my opinion, social networks are an essential element of the day to day lives of people globally since it has improved communication in greater limits and lessens communication cost as well as reducing distance between people.
Works Cited
McCabe, Laurie. "What is Social Networking, and Why Should You Care? ." 07 April 2009. www.smallbusinesscomputing.com. 19 April 2012
Ryan, Peter K. Social Networking. New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2011.
Safko, Lon. The Social Media Bible: Tactics, Tools, and Strategies for Business Success. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
