Social Networking: Friend or Foe

Do you guys remember when you were first introduced to the Internet??

I remember that day vividly.

I was in the 5th or 6th grade, and my teacher gave us an assignment where we had to look up a topic on the rainforest and write a brief 1-page paper. The catch, however, was that we could not refer to the library or an encyclopedia as we were previously conditioned to do so. Instead we had to use an Internet search tool to find articles about the topic. I remember being in shock that day and completely amazed at the idea that I could use a computer to find information about ANYTHING that I could possibly want to know. I saw the computer as a tool for information, but NEVER did I think that in the short span of those 13 years that the Internet, or computer technology as a whole, would allow me to do the things that I’m capable of doing now.

With the Internet came social networking sites, blogging, RSS feeds, etc…all tools that have completely changed life today as we know it. Has it changed life for the better? Has social networking done more harm than good? Is it helpful or detrimental???... That all depends on an individual’s take on the matter.

Let’s look at the positive side of social networking:

Social media has been great in solidifying relationships, whether they be existing or new, in relatively inexpensive, captivating ways.

Social media has allowed audiences to create personalized/individual pages online where they are free to share their talents/ideas, voice their opinions, and communicate freely with very little borders. Anyone and everyone’s life (including celebrities) can now become accessible and visible to the public. Nothing is private anymore, everything is free game. 

Social media has also become very resourceful for businesses that are looking for inexpensive ways to contact/reach their customers. In fact, it would be considered strange for a business NOT to have a Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube account. Customers have come to expect that now.

On the flipside:

It has become incredibly easy for any “Joe Shmo” to create and distribute content; and with that, businesses are finding it even more difficult to capture and hold an audience’s attention. Audiences are also finding it hard to separate good content from all the clutter. ANYONE can be a publisher now, not just specialists or reporters….everyone has the power to spread their views or opinions, regardless if they are factual or not.

Social media has fostered a new form of communication for emerging generations – generations that some would argue have begun to lose “true” social/communication tools. For example, some have argued with technology and the use of social media, emerging generations have lost the skill of writing a formal letter, engaging in face to face conversations, or writing in ways that are grammatically/traditionally correct. 

Personally, I see no problem with social networking. I find it VERY beneficial. I mean I LOVE the fact that I can access a celebrity’s Twitter page (even if it’s fake) and read their thoughts. I ENJOY the fact that I can pry or peak into my friends/associates world via their Facebook. I look FORWARD to reading blogs and columns from different sources to base opinions on or acquire information from. I feel like I am truly able to communicate with anyone and everyone on the globe!! How cool is that???

Now, I DON’T think that social media should replace traditional ways of communicating. It is still important to get out, meet people, engage in conversations, and practice in-person social skills. One cannot simply sit behind a computer all day. So truthfully, to answer this question, I think social media is neither completely good nor bad. Like everything in life, it should be used in moderation. The key is MODERATION.