Social Networking

There are many ways in which social networking sites can be used. Most networking sites were started with the intent of connecting people most efficiently. Years later we can look at whether they have succeeded or not from different perspectives. On one hand people are now able to interact much more easily and frequently with more people more often. On the other hand these interactions between people tend to be less personal. In Stephen Dubner's article 'Is Myspace Good for Society?', prominent professors and journalist debate whether social networking sites are good for society or not. Some, such as Steve Chazin, believe that even though there are some negative effects, social media has ultimately changed our lives and society for the better. Others, such as Nicole Ellison, couldn't understand the appeal of people disclosing personal information and seemingly wasting time doing something that she does not feel is productive. There are also some who don't this there is enough information to decide one way or the other. William Reader comments on the issue from a psychological perspective saying that it is difficult to answer the question with any certainty at this point. I believe that it is ultimately an issue of quality vs. quantity. My experience with social sites is that it creates an idea that it is better to have more friends than better friends. The balance between quality and quantity is important to find and I think people that overuse social networking sites tend to throw off that balance in favor of quantity.

Another way social sites are used it by businesses. The pros are that it allows recruiters to find and connect with potential employees more easily. However, this can also act as a con. Businesses will analyze people's profiles (regardless of legality) in order to gain as much information about an individual before hiring them. This, in my opinion, creates issues of trust in society and something I am not particularly happy about.

I think social networking sites are here to stay. There was a debate early in its existence as to whether it would just be fad, but after years of growth and popularity in societies all over the world it seems that it has become part of our culture. Soon video chatting capabilities will be integrated into social networking sites and I believe that will help curb the growing problem of quantity over quality.