Social networking websites and their impact

¶ … Social Networking

An Examination of the Purpose and Utilization of Social Networking Websites

Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in the late 1800s revolutionized civilization.

It was not until 100 years later, in the late 1970s, that another such discovery was made. This latter discovery was that of the Internet. Many argue, furthermore, that the discovery of the Internet involves an even greater advancement in human history than Bell's telephone, for nothing has touched so many, so quickly, and so deeply as the advent of the Internet, and with it, within a relatively short time, the culmination of social networking in a variety of websites, utilize worldwide. This paper will offer a quick examination of how such websites, including Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and LinkedIn, have been utilized by individuals in the last decade to promote both personal and work-related interests.

People utilize social networking sites for many reasons but, as mentioned above, two foremost reasons are in order to enhance one's personal and professional life. Three of the websites mentioned above are known to cater mostly to personal interests, i.e. Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. LinkedIn is a website that promotes connections between professionals and would thus be utilized with this latter goals in mind. Yet even Facebook and MySpace, known mostly for their promotion of personal interests over professional interests, are nonetheless often times utilized to promote one's business, or in the case of MySpace, a combination thereof (i.e. music and bands).

Many people, furthermore, claim to utilize Facebook in a semi-professional way, especially in terms of marketing. For instance, some individuals choose to invite others to events that are meant to promote a certain company or brand. But Facebook was originally intended to be a sort of complex phone book between individuals, where not only can they contact each other but they can also see personal, yet shared, information about another individual. Due to Facebook's worldwide utilization, however, the site has become a sort of 'Mecca' for many individuals with many interests, both personal and professional. This story, of expansion to include various interests not necessarily in the mind of the website's founders, is similar to that of MySpace, and, one could say, that of Twitter. Twitter also stands singular between all three with regards to its utilization by individuals involved, most recently, in the Arab Spring and, a few years ago, in the Iranian Revolution.

Yet LinkedIn still stands apart, most specifically in its scope. The website calls itself "The World's Largest Professional Network,"

and with good reason, for not only can one connect with professionals in one's business, but an individual can also post his or her experience and resume on the website, and even apply to jobs. No other website can boast such efficiency, in this aspect.

Many websites have, like Facebook taken on various purposes, especially social networking websites that focus on the 'personal' aspect, and have catered to what individuals want most. Like Facebook, some have added games and ads in order to increase revenues.