Rise of Social Networking, Essay Example

Social networking, also commonly referred to as social media, is what once was considered high tech or out of reach for the general population. With much technology and advancements the introduction to the internet has provided a new way of communicating, learning, marketing and reaching distant audiences. With the introduction of social sites such as Facebook and Twitter, growth amongst individuals has risen sharply. Computers and access to the internet are in many homes worldwide. Schools are even providing students with internet access at school, where social media is used in the learning process. With the rise and benefit that comes from the extra manner of maintaining communication, it has become a daily part of many people’s lives, individuals and businesses as well. Along with numerous benefits to society, there are also negatives that accompany the newfound technology of social networking. The purpose of this paper is to examine the growth of social networking as well as the positives and negatives.

Growth of Social Media

Computers used to be a tool associated with a younger crowd, however today individuals from 12 years of age up to seniors are using social networking to communicate. Sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace account for an incredibly high membership. It is easy for all ages and is estimated that Facebook alone has 500 million active users (Fletcher & Ford 33). That is an incredible amount of coverage and information on one sight alone. One of the leading growth responses is the fact that membership and the ability to use the services is free of charge. Members simply sign up for an account with their email address and are ready to connect with people in any part of the world, day or night. Along with communication, individuals are using these social media services to engage in entertainment, finding long lost loved ones and even business opportunities.

The ability to connect with others is reshaping the experience of the community. It provides individuals the ability to connect through mobile phones, IPod and computers. What use to be hours on the telephone and a large phone bill has been replaced with online chats that are free of charge. The ability to converse and the importance of having human interaction certainly has not changed, however the prevalence and ease is allowing an all-time high of communication. According to Watkins, “conversation is an important social process, serving to sustain networks and build communities.” (49). The ability to build social processes in the privacy of the users home allows them to multi-task and not take away from their already busy lives, making is easy (Watkins 158).

Another speculation for the drastic rise in social media is the amount of information that people can derive from the internet. Social media sites supply individual’s informational needs, social forms of interaction, and entertainment (Burton 89). For many people the online communication may be the only form of social interaction that an individual feels comfortable engaging in. In many cases people turn to the internet for information and since they are already online, they may as well engage in socializing through social media.

Using Social Networking in Education

The field of education is an ever changing and fast growing one. It is important that educators look for new ways and current information to help students excel. Social media, even though founded for private communication is now being used in the classroom to assist students in learning. Students can communicate with others around the world and learn information that they would not normally be exposed too. Personalized activities for students allow educators to push the borders beyond the classroom. This allows the removal of barriers such as money, travel and even inconvenience, which can assist students in receiving a well-rounded education. Social media creates a powerful learning tool by the vast experiences and information that can be offered. Programs such as Skype allow students to interact with different cultures, ask questions and explore different ways of living, which facilitates a good learning experience.

As noted earlier there are some negatives to the use of social media and the quantity of time that individuals spend online daily. According to Richert, Robb and Smith, preschool children not in care spend 2.4 hours watching television on a daily basis (85). The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children should not be exposed to more than two hours per day (Richert, Robb & Smith 85). Children spending too much time on the computer or social media sites can also be likened to the negatives of television. One of the problems is that much of the things that children seen online are more of a fantasy world. Children can come to have difficulty with the ability to distinguish between reality and symbolic information or stimuli that are found in social media. Research has shown that children develop social skills at a faster rate when they interact with humans, rather than learn from a figure or person on screen (Richert, Robb & Smith 85). Certainly too much time spent online or engaging in social media reduces the amount of time that children or adults alike would spend engaging with their family, exercising or in creative play.

Misuse and Crime

The wealth of information and abilities that are allowed by social media provides numerous opportunities, good and bad. Managing social media is a difficult task for law enforcement as the individuals and their actions stretch across many miles and geographical boundaries. Because social media is a relatively new laws and guidelines are still evolving, which sometimes make them difficult to enforce. Being able to publish information so readily online has caused problems with issues like identity fraud, spreading of incorrect information and even criminal acts of bullying.

Cyber Bullying has been linked to several suicide teen deaths (Cloud 60). Technology has allowed cyber bullying to grow at fast rates because it is so accessible and easy. Children, like adults can post negative information, photos or derogatory information in a matter of seconds. It is then difficult to take that information off the internet and it is then exposed to hundreds of other students or individuals. According to Cloud, sexual activity and exploration has increased as well because children are able to spend time online without a fear of financial responsibility. The rise in Social media has also allowed younger children to be exposed to criminals and pedophiles because dating sites, forum and chat rooms are open to anyone. It is also difficult for site owners or law enforcement to ensure that individuals are who they say they are. Criminals can pose as other children and win over trust, which can lead to danger (Cloud 63).

Convenience & the Keyboard

Convenience is one reason that many people claim that they are so impressed with social media. Employers can post their employment openings online and even advertise to potential customers (Grant). Many businesses have begun using social media to promote products and even introduce their business to their local community. It is cost effective and with millions having access to the internet it is easy to grow a business. It is a place where people can go to take care of just about any need that they have. Not only can they communicate with others, but they can find employment, new services and even entertain themselves with the many games that are provided by social media giants like Facebook. Game activity is a leading reason for many people checking in on their social media account on a daily basis. Some are spending hours upon end to play games and chat with friends (Watkins).

In conclusion, social media has become a hot topic that is used in many areas of daily life. From the business owner that is trying to promote their business to the family members that are communicating with their relatives in a distant areas of the world. Social media has become a vital part of communication within society and allows many benefits to individuals young as well as old. When used in education and the learning process, students can experience ways of learning that others do not have access too. Whether it is learning geography from talking to another student in a foreign land to chatting with a government representative, it is all an integrating manner of learning. While the technology that has been afforded to us should be embraced, individuals should also be cautious. It is important that social media is used appropriately and individuals attempt to protect their identity as well as other people’s privacy. With issues such as cybercrime and cyber bullying each citizen should take a diplomatic stance toward protecting social media, not allowing it to be misused in any way. The internet and opportunity that it provides can be a positive for each person if used correctly and protected by those that have the privilege of using it.

Works Cited

Burton, Graeme. Media and Society: Critical Perspectives. Berkshire, GBR: McGraw-Hill Education, 2004. Print.

Cloud, John. “Bullied To Death?.” Time 176.16 (2010): 60-63.

Davis, Michelle. “Social Networking Goes to School.” Education Week:. Digital Directions, 06 June 2010. Web. 07 Mar. 2012. <http://www.edweek.org/dd/articles/2010/06/16/03networking.h03.html>.

Fletcher, Dan, and Andréa Ford. “Friends without Borders. (Cover Story).” Time 175.21 (2010): 32-38.

Grant, David. “Top 10 social media tips for the job hunt.” Christian Science Monitor 11 Feb. 2010: N.PAG.

Richert, Rebekah A., Michael B. Robb, and Erin I. Smith. “Media As Social Partners: The Social Nature Of Young Children’s Learning From Screen Media.” Child Development 82.1 (2011): 82-95.

Watkins, Craig S. The Young and the Digital. Boston, MA: Beacon, 2009. Print.