Staying Away From Social Networking Sites as a Communication Platform

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Should we do away with Social Networking Sites as a Communication Platform?
The modern society has had the privilege of incorporating some of the most advanced technologies in their daily life routines. Some of the advanced technologies include mobile devices and the internet, which have allowed people to stay in touch, acting as a bridge between people miles away from each other. The use of mobile phones and the internet have also allowed instant delivery and feedback on messages, thus circumventing the time and distance barrier. This is where the concept of social networking sites (SNS), which are web-based services that enable people to create an online profile which is visible to other users in the same system, and allows them to stay connected (Edwards 3), comes in. While some people may contend that the use of SNS as a communication platform is destructive, there is irrefutable evidence indicating that SNS allows for open discourse in both the social and professional lives of individuals.
First, SNS allows employers to reach out to potential employees. This is especially helpful when employers need to fill a vacant position urgently because they can post the information on SNS and get instant applications from interested candidates. According to Carroll and De Back (4), lately, recruiters are looking for candidates through SNS way before they post a vacant position officially. This is an indication that SNS is an easy way for recruiters to obtain information on candidates and by the time they officially communicate about open positions either through the company’s website or mainstream media, they have already gathered enough information about the type of candidate they want. Also, the presence of professional SNS such as LinkedIn has made it easier for recruiters and job hunters to connect. Through LinkedIn, individuals who are looking for employment create an online profile indicating their skills and professional qualifications, and employers examine those profiles for potential recruits. Carroll and De Back (5) note that through networks such as LinkedIn, individuals can build networks and through these networks, they are introduced to potential employers and other professionals in the same field of expertise. Job hunters are also encouraged to update their profiles frequently, and more importantly, they are advised to keep clean personal profiles on sites such as Facebook since employers have a tendency of looking at those personal profiles during their search for recruits. Thus, SNS has promoted an open discourse between employers and potential employees by allowing them to quickly and easily share information about open vacancies and professional qualifications respectively.
Second, people can stay informed on current issues across the globe, making SNS the most potential source of news. According to Khosrow-Pour (6773), globally, a majority of the people have access to SNS, and as such, more people can access global news. People have been able to spread awareness on current issues through sites such as Twitter and Facebook where an issue can remain trending for days, allowing almost everyone to get information on the issue. Further, people can a...