Social networks and their effects on human socialization and society

¶ … Integration of Social Networks Changed Society and How People Socialize?

The objective of this work is to examine how the integration of social networks has changed society and the ways in which people socialize. This work will answer the question of how the new forms of socialization and communication have affected people and if this effect is positive or negative and will answer as to whether the social networks have served to make life better or alternatively, make life worse.

Despite the positive aspects of social networking sites, the negative aspects of social networking sites have provide to make life worse in many ways.

Pros and Cons of Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites have both positive and negative effects on the lives of individuals. For example, social network positively enables people to "create new relationships and reconnect with friends and family." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1) Studies show that increased communication even when it is online serves to "strengthen relationships." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1) However, a negative impact of social networking sites is that they serve to "entice people to spend more time online and less time interacting face-to-face." (National Boards Association, 2007 cited in Procon.org, 2012, p.1)

Another positive aspect of social networking sites is that they enable "creative expression in a new medium. They provide free messaging, blogging, photo storage, games, event invitations, and many other services to anyone with access to a computer and the internet." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1) However, a negative aspect of social networking sites is that teens that grow up with these sites "may not be aware that the information they post is public and that photos and text can be retrieved even after deletion." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1) Resulting from too much sharing of personal information is such as "vulnerability to sexual or financial predators and lost job opportunities from employers finding embarrassing photos or comments." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1)

A third positive result of social networking sites is that these sites serve to "bring people with common interests together, offer exposure to new ideas from around the world, and lower inhibitions to overcome social anxiety." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1) Another aspect that is negative from participation on social networking sites is that there is no way to verify that people are who they claim to be, leaving people vulnerable to solicitation from online predators who are able to mask their true identities." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1)

A fourth positive aspect of social networking is that these sites assist individuals receive help with major life issues such as changing jobs, locating a new residence, purchasing a vehicle and even caring for someone who is ill. A fourth negative aspect of social networking site is cited as "cyberbullying, a type of bullying that occurs online, easier and more public than bullying through other online activities such as email and instant messaging.( Procon.org, 2012, p.1)

A fifth positive aspect of social networking sites is that ability of students with Internet access to discuss topics including education and career and college planning as well as to use the sites to discuss school assignments. A fifth negative aspect of social media is one that motivated the U.S. marine Corps to ban the use of all social media sites on its networks since the sites have been shown to be "a proven haven for malicious actors and content and are particularly high risk due to information exposure user generated content and targeting by adversaries." (Procon.org, 2012, p.1)