what is Social Networking : Meaning, Merits & Demerits

अनुक्रम (Contents)

Social Networking

what is Social Networking

what is Social Networking – social networking is the use of internet based social media programs to make connection with friends, family, classmates, customers and clients.

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighbourhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in universities, high schools or in the workplace, it is most popular online. When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of Internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share a common interest such as hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website, you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.

What is social networking site ?

A social networking site is a website that provides a venue for people to share their activities with family, friends and colleague or to share their interest in a particular topics. facebook google+, linkedin and twitter are some leading social sites.

So, in short, we can say that Social Networking sites, also called Social media, are Internet sites where people interact freely, sharing and discussing information about each other and their lives, using a multimedia mix of personal words, pictures, videos and audio. Various Social Networking Sites Social media are in many forms including blogs and microblogs, forums and message boards, social networks, wikis, chat-rooms etc.

Some popular social-networking sites are : Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, WordPress, Blogger, Typepad, LiveJournal, Wikipedia, Wetpaint, Wikidot, Second Life, Del.icio.us, Digg, Reddit, Lulu and many others.

Merits and Demerits of Social Networking

Social networks not only allow people to meet and communicate with strangers, but they also let users organize their social networks. In many ways, social media has led to positive changes in the way people communicate and share information; however, it has a dark side, as well. Social networking can sometimes result in negative outcomes, some with long-term consequences. In this section, we are exploring the same.

Merits of Social Networking

Major uses of social networking are as listed below.

1. Easier to connect with people – It is easier to connect with people from all across the world on social networking site, which otherwise is very difficult in real-life.

2. Easy to hold discussions and collect opinions – With social networking, conducting discussions and collecting view or opinions on anything has become easier as you can post the topic on a social-networking site and invite people to post their view /opinions about it.

3. Interactive involvement- Social networking provides interactive involvement with other people. With social networking and the Internet in general, correspondence to virtually anyone from anywhere is possible.

4. Brings more awareness- Interactive involvement even reaches as far putting children and teens under the spotlight for discussing and participating in online and social networking forums for issues that concern them. It helps in improving the world awareness.

Demerits of Social Networking

With the boom in social networking, a few ill practices have seeped into the system and the users should be aware of these in order to avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

Here is a list of common misuses that users must be aware of :

1. Misusing the data/information posted by innocent users- Some people with wrong intentions can misuse the personal information posted by innocent users such as date-of-birth, address, school address, phone numbers etc. Thus, you should be careful while posting such information and should avoid posting very personal information on your public profiles.

2. Credibility of Information- Some people with bad intentions use social networking sites for spreading baseless ‘facts’ resulting in a complete abuse of the ‘freedom of expression’. Thus, you should avoid being gullible and should practise discretion.

3. Fake Profiles- There are numerous fake user profiles in these sites. Orkut lost its credibility mainly due to a growing use of such profiles.

4. Bullying and Trolling- With growing use of social networking sites undesirable elements have crept up who resort to needless bullying, defamation, harmful commenting and pranks and persecute hapless, innocent victims and pages. Such practices cause emotional trauma both for the victim and the ‘bully’.

5. Peer Pressure- In order to fit under peer-pressure, often people lie or put exaggerated information about them. Experts say that a majority of the profiles on social networking sites are actually either less than or greater than, but never equal to what they portray. This leads to consequences born out of jealousy and harmful reactions.

6. Irresponsible Behaviour- Many users believe that they cannot be held responsible for anything they do or say on the social network. Out of this belief they often resort to misusing their freedom of expression and free speech. They abuse others’ rights for the same.
While laws against cyber violations may not be strong enough, yet they are becoming stronger by the day. Instances where severe penalties have been imposed on offenders are not uncommon.

7. Attention Seeking Disorders and Addiction- Another disturbing trend with the rise in social networks is disorders like Attention Seeking Disorder and Addition Just to get attention these users will resort to any means and even fake serious illnesses.

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