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Social Networking
With the growth of technology, communication has likewise grown. Currently, it is easier and inexpensive to communicate as well as connect with individuals all over the globe. The problem of long-distance has ceased to be a scapegoat for the absence of communication. Actually, communication systems have developed from wired devices towards wireless devices (Partridge, 2011). Also, the internet has led to adverse changes in the types of communications that are accessible and presently being utilized. It has resulted in the development of diverse social networks. Here one can communicate as well as share his/her ideas with numerous individuals simultaneously. It is simple to share information such as videos, pictures, and advertisements. To many individuals, it is seen as a type of entertainment. Nonetheless, being in social networks improves communication. There are diverse kinds of social networks, for example, Facebook, Twitter, as well as Instagram and it is upon oneself to select the social site they are leaning towards (Klipper, Shapiro-Rieser, & Bahrami, 2015). Accordingly, it is significant to understand the benefits as well as disadvantages that come along with social networking.
Benefits of Social Networking
Worldwide Connectivity
Regardless of whether one is looking for a long-time friend, former classmate, or an international relative, no quicker or simpler manner to communicate exists than social networking sites. Even though Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter are undoubtedly the utmost recognized social networking sites, new websites are coming up frequently, which let individuals communicate as well as interact via the Web.
With every one of these sites, people may make a lot of friends, build their networking or even extend their individual base through communicating with friends of their friends, which may have numerous effects. These connections may assist with a number of things, for instance, looking for a job, finding romance, sharing political views, locating help, and acquiring goods or service referrals (Moreau, 2017).
Commonality of Interest
Whenever one decides to engage in social networking sites, one can select people whose likes as well as dislikes match his/her and build his/her network around those similarities (Moreau, 2017). For example, if one is a football fan, a poem lover, or else has a certain religious belief, he/she may find and communicate with individuals sharing his/her interest. Additionally, it may be an ideal manner to share information. Sites such as Pinterest have been discovered to be important because of the simplicity in which an individual may learn, besides, share ideas about crafts, cooking, studying, hobbies, and farming among others. Through pinning and sharing, one may attract like-minded people into one’s circle.
Nonetheless, just as these online groups may assist hobbyists exchange information, different social networking sites provide solutions in lieu of real-world challenges. For instance, social media groups may be lifelines on behalf of persons suffering from uncommon illnesses. Temples and churches likewise utilize social media with an aim of reaching out to followers who are not able to attend services.
Real-Time Information Sharing
Numerous social media integrate a prompt messaging feature that allows individuals to exchange ideas in real-time through a chat. Researchers have discovered this is a good feature for instructors to utilize to help in class discussions since it allows them to use the information accessible on the network. This may be a time-saver, especially for the instructor because scholars no longer require setting foot in a library to carry out research, besides, it may be a perfect manner towards engaging distracted learners.
Managers may use social networking in group meetings while business people may utilize it as a way of communicating with customers or prospects (Ahmad, 2016). Other leaders are including Tweets during presentations. This technique may make events much more interactive as well as assist the presenter to communicate to larger listeners.
Amplified News Cycle Speed
Certainly, social networking has tremendously revolutionized the news cycle speed (Ahmad, 2016) Majority of news companies now depend on social networking sites for gathering and sharing information. Social media, particularly, Twitter is gradually becoming the main source for breaking news. Currently, a person can get knowledgeable about what is happening around the globe. This has resulted in the growth of prompt news cycle since everything from accidents to terrorist attacks gets communicated on social platforms, quickly informing their target audience of the incident. Smartphones are attributed to the rise of the news cycle. According to Partridge (2011), 40% of phone users access social networking sites from their smartphones, and around 28% do it on a day-to-day basis.
Disadvantages of Social Networking
Backlash
A joke amid pals is one thing; however, a joke with the entire world is another thing. Whenever potentially offensive information becomes viral, the degree of feedback may be too much and is normally cruel. This is especially the case with extremely opinionated topics such as politics. Additionally, this backlash may have a prolonged effect on an individual’s future, particularly on a globe that has fallen victim to over-sharing (Ahmad, 2016). Even students are now learning that what they post may influence whether they get hired in a certain organization. In an era, where selfies are the custom, revealing too much about oneself might also be changing our perspective through building a narcissistic mindset.
Cyberbullying as well as Crimes Against Kids
Usage of social media might expose people to different types of violence and wrong people. This is the case particularly among teenagers and young kids. Unless guardians carefully regulate the internet information their family sees, kids may be exposed to inappropriate content like pornography. In addition to giving rise to age-inappropriate content, social networks also unleashed social phenomena referred to as cyberbullying (Ahmad, 2016). Normally, it affects females, and different from traditional bullying, it goes beyond physical interaction. Generally, cyberbullying may occur on a daily basis.
Privacy Problems
With too much sharing happening, problems concerning privacy will at all-time be a serious concern (Ahmad, 2016). Oversharing with the public may open up every kind of challenge, which at times cannot be undone. Also, businesses are vulnerable to privacy invasion. For instance, one may post a comment on Twitter, only to realize an advert appear with information related to one post
Risk of Identity Theft or Fraud
Information one posts on the Web is accessible to nearly everyone who is in a position to access it. A large number of thieves only require just small personal details to make one’s life miserable (Ahmad, 2016). If they effectively steal one’s identity, it can cost one dearly. Millennials are among the vulnerable groups towards being targeted. This is attributed to the group’s naivety with communicating absolutely all things online comprising individual details.
Conclusion
When utilizing any social network, one should be responsible for his/her own safety as well as never engage in a group because everyone is doing it or it is fashion. In assessing the pros and cons of social networking, it is imperative to concentrate on protecting one’s privacy. Lastly, one should be careful with what he/she posts as well as treat other people as one would wish to be treated.
References
- Ahmad, B. (2016). 10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Social Media for Society. Retrieved from:https://www.techmaish.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-social-media-for-society/
- Klipper, B., Shapiro-Rieser, R., & Bahrami, Y. (2015). The secret rules of social networking. Lenexa, Kansas: AAPC Publishing
- Moreau, E. (2017). The Pros and Cons of Social Networking. Retrieved from: https://www.lifewire.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-social-networking-3486020
- Partridge, K. (2011). Social networking. New York: H.W. Wilson.