Social Networking

Social Networking serves many different functions. One of the primary functions of social networks is maintaining communication with people at a larger scale. Information is transmitted quickly and people are essentially able to keep in touch and be updated about their loved ones without having to interact much. People are able to meet new people and spread positive movements rapidly (Freakonomics 2008). A bad side to social networking is presented through lack of privacy. It has become easier to know what people are doing (Twitter), where people are located at a particular time (foursquare), and personal contact information and pictures (Facebook). It can be used negatively by malicious people and can be dangerous ( Knowledge@Wharton 2009). Another negative effect is that bullying can be easily spread on these social networking site and many people can target a victim, even without knowing them.

In terms of business, social networking sites have become very effective. Companies are able to market their products to a wider audience. Also, people may talk about a product and its success and popularity can spread instantly. Facebook has even made it possible to sell items on the site, creating a different form of interaction between buyer and seller. Mars created an application on Facebook in which users can send actual gifts to other people via SMS and barcode (www.MarketingWeek.co.uk 2008) . I feel that social networks might make privacy even more difficult but that it will make society much lazier. On the bright side, people are able to promote many positive situations dealing with communication and corporate promotion. There will always be a new site promoting a more recent technology than the last and anything is possible in the realm of social networking. Each day, there's a new discovery, and that will continue.

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Is MySpace Good for Society? A Freakonomics Quorum by Stephen J. Dubner. NYT Feb 15, 2008

Knowledge@Wharton, "Leaving 'Friendprints': How Online Social Networks Are Redefining Privacy and Personal Security http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2262

Analysis: Real Facebook shop in virtual world breathes life into Mars. Marketing Week. Feb 21, 2008. p. 14. http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=59708&u=pg_dtl_art_news&m=pg_hdr_art