Social Networking on the Internet; Assignment 1-4

Holcomb; Assignment 1-4

Social Networking on the Internet

Shelby Holcomb

Franklin University, Jessica Price, October 3, 2010

Social Networking on the Internet

Social networking on the internet is a popular culture phenomenon. Different then most popular culture mediums because it is not limited by states, countries, or even continents; it is a global popular culture. There seems to be no limit to the amount of people that utilize this type of socializing, or what people will use it for.

One major question looms over this topic; is social networking over the internet a positive or negative aspect of our current popular culture?

The social networking internet sites were originally thought of for keeping in touch, or reaching out socially. Now  however in the year 2010 the social networking sites are utilized for business, marketing, events, games, messaging, photos, and so much more. Some of the most well known social networking sites are “ Facebook”, “MySpace”, “Twitter”, and “Blogger” (Boyd, 2007).  That is just a snapshot of the numerous places to find to socially network on the internet.

An article called “Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship” (2007), discusses all of the basics about this type of networking, and socializing. The definition, features, uses, history, and possible future of social networking sites are covered. With one specific fundamental idea that stood out about social networking on the internet, which is how people are able to hide, or present whatever parts of themselves they would like. When networking on the internet no one can know if they have all of the information, the correct information, or any information about someone that they are connecting with (Boyd, 2007).

One good thing about the fact that anyone can say anything about themselves, or you on the social networking internet sites is that most people only connect with people they have a relationship with in the real world. In the article it says that they “found that 85% of those respondents listed the maintenance and reinforcement of pre-existing social networks as their main motive for Cyworld use” (Boyd, 2007). The fact is that most people search for people they have already known, or have met not just random people that they find over the internet for the most part (Boyd, 2007).

Another aspect of this pop culture practice that is worrisome is the disconnection of functioning in a typical social environment, or the lack thereof.  The thought is do people, or have people stopped interacting in the real world while isolating themselves by the practice of social networking online? While the article that has been discussed within this essay was written over three years ago and only skims the issue of person to person interaction it is a definite topic of today. However, there is research discussed that the interactions that take place on the internet social sites do not replace the person to person relationships (Boyd, 2007).

        
The available tools of the current popular culture allow people the ability to reach all of their networks, family, and friends in one place very quickly. In today’s world time seems to be very limited. There is a great deal to accomplish everyday  and never enough time to accomplish it all. The social networking internet sites provides a fast, convenient, twenty-four hours a day, seven day a week place to keep up with people, places, and things that a person determines is important to them. The global ability to have an instant, running, dialog with someone from anywhere around the world is incredible. Regardless of the negatives or positives there is a definite place for social networking on the internet.       

References

Boyd, d. m. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship . Retrieved October 3, 2010, from jcmc.indiana.edu:

            http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html