Online Social Networking in Comparing

Online Social Networking

In comparing the advantages and disadvantages of social networks, LinkedIn and Facebook have been selected due to their significantly different approaches to creating and sustaining online relationships. LinkedIn is known for being one of the most professionally focused social networks (Ford, Lim, 2011) and Facebook is one of the most popularly and casual in its members' use (Ledbetter, Mazer, DeGroot, Meyer, Mao, Swafford, 2011). These two social networks anchor the continuum of social networks today, spanning the most collegial and communicative (Facebook) to the most professional (LinkedIn). Both sites could be used positively or negatively, yet of the two, Facebook could be far more damaging to a person's reputation. Using the "Wall" feature anyone can write a note on anyone else's site. Saying things that aren't true, posting provocative pictures, or using profanity damages a person's reputation on Facebook very quickly. On LinkedIn, pulling a recommendation, slamming someone professionally or insulting them could have a direct effect on their earning potential as well. Likewise, both can be used for complimenting and building someone up as well.

The depth of emotional connection also varies significantly across these sites. Many people are much more cautious of who they "friend" on Facebook as that person can post messages everyone in their entire circle of online friends can see (Ledbetter, Mazer, DeGroot, Meyer, Mao, Swafford, 2011). LinkedIn is also a network that tends to attract online networkers that concentrate on only connecting with those they know in person, however there is an emerging practice on this network of accumulating connections with the goal of being over 500 (Ford, Lim, 2011). Users of both of these networking sites are continually grappling with growing their friend or connection counts relative to connecting with those they already know in person. Paradoxically a best practice is emerging of connecting only with those known in person given how rapid fraud and misrepresentation has been, especially on Facebook (Ledbetter, Mazer, DeGroot, Meyer, Mao, Swafford, 2011).

The motivations of those using LinkedIn are to find a better career and grow their circle of influence throughout the industry of which they are a part. On Facebook, the same goal may be present, yet it is more likely to be connecting with long-lost friends and also bragging about only the most glamorous parts of one's life (Ledbetter, Mazer, DeGroot, Meyer, Mao, Swafford, 2011). Facebook tends to bring out the worst in people, namely arrogance, pride and the tendency to flirt with long-lost girlfriends and boyfriends, no wonder it has been a catalyst of divorces recently (Ledbetter, Mazer, DeGroot, Meyer, Mao, Swafford, 2011). It is considered cheating if one flirts and entices another on a social network, just as it would be if it happened in person as well. The flipside of this is that Facebook has brought together friends and family who have not seen each other in decades. Finally, gender and sexual orientation has a major implication on the motivations of those on social networks. Women tend to want to collaborate and be collegial, connect with friend and have fun, as evidenced by their gender dominating social media in general (Ford, Lim, 2011). Men see social networks, specifically Facebook, as a means to have an alter ego and be single and for many, claim to be much younger than they are (Ledbetter, Mazer, DeGroot, Meyer, Mao, Swafford, 2011).