This blog doesn't really have to do with what we have discussed in class, but I think it is very important. Social networking sites are a part of almost everyone's lives today. They are pretty much taking over the communication world. I personally think that they should be eliminated from the Internet. I really don't think this will ever happen, but if it did it would be a very good thing. I have a Facebook, so I know what social networking sites are like. It is just a huge gossip site pretty much. The only good thing about them is that families who live far away can communicate for free (you can do this on Skype for free too). Whenever you hear about these sites it is always bad news. It is usually a kid killing himself over online bullying, or a school having to create a fake Facebook to see what their student's are really doing. That bully is only a bully through their computer screens.
Which brings up another point; face-to-face communication is spiraling downward. What is the need to talk to someone in person when you can just message them on a networking site? Students get in front of their class for a speech and freak out now more than ever.
This can also be a scary thing. These people don't know who they are really talking to. There is no proof that the person your messaging is that person or some crazy murderer. "Let's meet up." And when the meeting up and face-to-face contact actually happens it could turn out horrible.
I do admit that people are being smarter about these kinds of things and parents are warning their children, but it would be much easier if these social sites were eliminated.
Kids will play outside like they use to instead of sitting in front of the computer screen, crime over the Internet won't be so high, and we can bring back face-to-face communication. I am probably the only person my age who wants to get rid of these sites, but oh well I guess I am just old school!
I'm not sure if I agree with a complete wipeout of social networking sites, as they do have their benefits. However, I completely agree that face-to-face communication is, and always has been, the most effective form of communication. I'm rather wishy-washy on this subject.
ReplyDeleteAs I see it, social networking sites have their benefits. Relatives and old friends can be reunited, soldiers can stay in touch with their families while overseas, ideas can be shared on a larger scale, businesses can advertise and develop clients and associates, and it gives people a place to express themselves.
I believe that this is where the problem lies. As social networking has many benefits, there is a definite problem with people overly expressing themselves. For instance, if someone was to continuously post depressing statuses, bitchy posts, and mindless statements, they are effectively: 1) making themselves potential subjects for bullying, 2) annoying people by filling up their newsfeed, and/or 3) gaining a false sense of sympathy for what ever their post was complaining about. It is true that people have the right to post whatever and so-and-so can delete whoever from their friends list if they find so-and-so's posts pestering.
I assume the fence on this issue. I love social networking for it's ability to keep me in-touch with long distance friends. However, nothing beats real human interaction and communication. And all of those snobby, "pity me" posts do get on my nerves...
I really like this subject. I agree that social networking sites can be harmful to some but not for others. I think it is up to the user. If the user uses the site for it is meant for, communicating with friends and family, then there doesn't need to be any harm. I grew up in Missouri in the town that Megan Meier committed suicide over a fake guy on Myspace. In fact, I went to the same school as her, we were in the same grade, and we had classes together. Her death opened my eyes at the hard age of 12. We had a seminar about only accepting people as friends on social networking sites that you have actually met. It is a good rule to follow. Megan didn't know this guy, and obviously didn't know behind the computer screen of this "guy" was her best friend's mom. The more careful the user is, the less likely they will be hurt like Megan.
ReplyDeleteI use social networking sites to communicate with my family and friends (long-distance). I think they are very helpful because they keep me connected to their lives so I can see what they've been up to, how much their kids have grown, and places that they have travelled to. When I see these people I can ask them how their lives are, where they've been, etc. It gives us something to talk about face-to-face, otherwise we might be clueless and silent. I enjoy seeing pictures and reading statuses. I am constantly on these sites to stay updated, so I do not think they should be taken off the internet.
ReplyDeleteyou're not the only old school student. I agree that these sites are a bit extreme for kids. You can be on facebook, or blogger, or whatever any time all the time nowadays. It's silly to see restaurants get more business than others simply because they have wi-fi. Almost everyone nowadays, with the exception of the old schoolers like us, is engrossed in social networking and feel the constant need to tell everyone what they are doing while they are doing it. This all takes away from the moment of actually living life when you only care about what others are going to comment about you on those sites. I agree that these sites should be limited.
ReplyDeleteI would never want to eliminate social networking websites, however I would like for the sites to go back to their roots; networking. Not every person who is a user of these sites like Facebook uses them to gossip or check on what their friends are doing. There is a large portion of users who are on these sites to see what people are doing to consider possible employees, partnerships, etc. I know that the company Walgreens definitely uses Facebook as a way to reach out to their customers and keep them informed about what is going on through the site. There alot of routes that can be effective from social networking sites, they just have to be utilized.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the fact that social networking sites can be harmful in many ways. I often times find myself distracted by them but I think there are too many people who use these sites for them to be eliminated. I use facebook quite frequently and not just a distraction. The sorority I am in conveys a lot of important information that we need to know through facebook and it is very convenient for us to use and with out facebook it would be a lot harder to contact all of our members at once.
ReplyDeleteI agree that social networking sites should be eliminated. The reason for that is people were just fine before social networking sites started and people had to communicate face to face instead of overing the internet. I have a Facebook and would be perfectly fine without using it anymore. People are becoming lazier with social networking sites because they don't need to leave their phone or house to talk to somebody.
ReplyDeleteSocial media does have benifits since now people from all around the world can converse if they live thousands of miles away. They can contribute more and rather than just people who live close to eachother express their opinions. Social media helps people get other opinions out of their own comfort zone and circle of people.
ReplyDeleteSocial networks have their cons, but there are also pros to social networks. It is an easier way to chat quickly if there is no other way to get in contact with a person. For example if they don't have cell phones, or live very far away..you can simply instant message, or tweet them. At first it seemed as though facebook was for sharing memories and opinions with your friends, old and new, but you are right. Now, some people are using them for the wrong reasons and inappropriately.
ReplyDeleteSocial networking sites has its benefits and its pitfalls. A website like facebook allows for information to be quickly distributed to a large group of people at once. My fraternity has a group page where we are able to get out a lot of information very quickly to a large group of people. Also, the benefit of using facebook is that everyone already has a facebook and is going to get on it anyway: so why not communicate through it?
ReplyDeleteNow, I do think there is a problem with the lack of face to face communication. In this age some kids lack the social skills to be competent when its comes to starting and maintaining a conversation; and that is a shame. I've seen guys ask girls out on date over facebook because there to nervous/scared to ask a girl out in person, or atleast over the phone. This allows for some guys to never even learn how to talk to girls or vice versa and that is a problem.
Overall, as with any new technology or invention, it has its societal benefits and its cons. Completely eliminating social networking sites all together seems a little harsh, but going back to the roots of how the websites gained popularity seems to be in order.
I think that you are right, social networks should be eliminated, but only to a certain point- If someone moves away, or you want to find someone you haven't seen in a while, how are you going to do that without something like facebook? If we could eliminate the facebook "wall", but keep the messaging and have one single picture, I think it would be much better. That way talking to people could be more "one on one" rather than for the whole world to see. I think that doing that would eliminate the gossip aspect
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