Social Networking

Social networking can be used in many ways which have both positive and also negative effects to it. There are benefits it has to society which include the connection we get worldwide. For example, meeting new people, whether if it is for a new job, finding romance, getting access to the news, locating and getting information just to list a couple. There also is negative effects to social networking which include cyberbullying, invasion of privacy, identity theft, getting back lashed and more. In the article “Dictionary word of the year: ‘Unfriend” explains how the word "unfriend" causes drama throughout social networks. When someone removes another person as a friend through their facebook for example, they may get offended and that is when the drama comes in. Another negative effect social networking is the lack of communication between one another. In the article “Antisocial Networking” it explains how kids today will send messages to one another whether its through text, facebook or myspace and are often missing out of what once was actually talking to friends face to face. Playing outside with friends or simply hanging out after school seems to be vanishing because of the use of technology. The dark side of social networking also includes cyber-bullying as I mentioned or texting messages that are explicitly sexual. On the other side it can also help people make friends if they are shy like Andy Wilson, who is mentioned in the article. As you can see there are many benefits of social networking but then again also have negative effects to it.

References:

1.      Dictionary word of the year: 'Unfriend' By Doug Gross, CNN Tech, November 17, 2009 . Available at: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/17/unfriend.word/index.html

2.      Antisocial Networking? by Hilary Stout, New York Times, May 2, 2010, p. ST1. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/fashion/02BEST.html