Social networks. Are they sources for information or sources for entertainment? I must admit, I am a member of several social networking sites (Facebook and MySpace, to name a few), and it never ceases to amaze me what people will use social networks for. Personally, I use mine to interact with friends and classmates and to keep up and communicate with my brother in Iraq.
But what's the point of these sites? Take Facebook, for example. You can do everything on Facebook from uploading pictures to buying a dog to harvesting a blue cow. Is all of that necessary? How social do we really need to be on a social networking site? Honestly, if I see one more album about a woman giving birth, I just might delete my account... or at least pretend to.
Obviously, social networking sites have their positives and negatives, but they also have their risks and dangers. Take for instance the 13 year old girl who goes across the country to meet "the love of her life" she met on MySpace, only to find out he's a 48 year old lonely father of 4 with a thing for the illegal. Really? Social networking has given people a false sense of trust. Just because their profile says one thing, doesn't mean it has to be the truth.
As a 23 year old, I've been on social networks since middle school. I love the ability to sign on, find out within 5 minutes what my friends are up to, what events might be happening in town, and who I need to tell Happy Birthday to. It's the easiest way to feel like I actually have friendships with all 1,184 friends in my Facebook account, when honestly, I probably would have to seriously think how I actually even know two-thirds of them.
Personally, I think with a responsible, positive approach to social networking, it can be a fun, rewarding experience. It's turning everyone into social butterflies!
But what's the point of these sites? Take Facebook, for example. You can do everything on Facebook from uploading pictures to buying a dog to harvesting a blue cow. Is all of that necessary? How social do we really need to be on a social networking site? Honestly, if I see one more album about a woman giving birth, I just might delete my account... or at least pretend to.
Obviously, social networking sites have their positives and negatives, but they also have their risks and dangers. Take for instance the 13 year old girl who goes across the country to meet "the love of her life" she met on MySpace, only to find out he's a 48 year old lonely father of 4 with a thing for the illegal. Really? Social networking has given people a false sense of trust. Just because their profile says one thing, doesn't mean it has to be the truth.
As a 23 year old, I've been on social networks since middle school. I love the ability to sign on, find out within 5 minutes what my friends are up to, what events might be happening in town, and who I need to tell Happy Birthday to. It's the easiest way to feel like I actually have friendships with all 1,184 friends in my Facebook account, when honestly, I probably would have to seriously think how I actually even know two-thirds of them.
Personally, I think with a responsible, positive approach to social networking, it can be a fun, rewarding experience. It's turning everyone into social butterflies!
