The year was 1997, and the information superhighway had become a reality. We were amazed at the personal computer and the internet (or the World Wide Web as it was referred to back in those days). We could enter a .com address into the web browser, and it would return information to us on the screen. These “web pages” were popping up everywhere, and everyone was trying to come up with the next new idea. This was the year that the website SixDegrees.com emerged on the scene and began the social networking craze; little did we know at the time that the idea of social networking sites would change the way we socialize forever.
SixDegrees lasted a mere four years (1997-2001), but it launched an idea that we could socialize globally from our computer.
A decade later sites like Myspace and Facebook have become a staple of our culture. In days past we would exchange phone numbers and addresses, but now it is common to ask someone if they are on Facebook. These sites have created a way to communicate with people we would otherwise not keep in contact with. Just recently I came across an old high school buddy of mine whom I hadn’t heard from in over 20 years. When we graduated from high school, we told each other that we would “keep in touch”. At first we did, then life became busy with kids, work, and chores. Somewhere between moving and changing phone numbers we fell out of contact with each other, and I hadn’t heard from him until I came across his name on Facebook. It turns out he and his wife live in Texas. We chat online like the years had never passed, and I am so grateful for the technology that brought two old friends together again.
Social networking sites have established a platform for people to speak out on topics they otherwise would be too afraid.
Freedom of Speech is a right of the American people, but some people are too reserved to execute this liberty. They may be afraid that their opinions don’t matter or that they will be looked upon as unintelligent. Others may simply be timid and not like to speak out in front of a group. If a person visits any social networking site, he or she can see some well thought out debates going on as well as some immature and unintelligent discussions. The point is that the person used this site as a tool to express himself; however, this freedom can be taken too far with offensive comments, racial slurs, and bullying. These types of comments can be very troublesome and, in acute cases, may even result in fatal actions. On October 16, 2006, 13 year old Megan Meier committed suicide after she had a series of encounters with a fictional character on MySpace who pretended to like her. A mother of one of Megan’s friends had created the account pretending to be a young man; she then used it to entice her into an online romance. After she had established a relationship with Megan, she then proceeded to assault her with vicious comments and defamation.
Today, in any college classrooms where professors allow laptops, at least one student will be on a social networking site.
hmmm are you taking notes?
These sites not only distract the people who are on them, but also distract the people who sit near the networker. Anyone socializing on the web cannot be effective in taking classroom notes at the same time. I find it very distractive if the person’s screen in front of me has one of these sites displayed because I think it is very rude to the classroom and the professor. Teachers put a lot of effort into the lectures they give, and I imagine that speaking in front of a classroom for three to four hours isn’t easy. Some colleges have even banned the use of laptops in the classroom because surfing the web has become too disruptive. A laptop is a valuable tool for note- taking, but unfortunately teachers have had to police the use of computers in classes because of a few individuals.
Although clichés are frowned upon these days, I feel one is necessary in this case. There are two sides to every coin when it comes to social networking sites.
On one side, it has made us more social. We can keep in contact with a vast amount of people that would be impossible to do in person. I have a brother who lives in Arizona, and I try to visit with him once a year. We chat on the phone occasionally and exchange emails. We also use Facebook for the daily communication that happens between friends and family. I have two children who live away from home; they prefer social networking sites as a means of contact. They actually were responsible for setting up my account! I have gotten back in touch with old friends I haven’t heard from in years and probably would not have if it weren’t for social networking. I can see their lives from their point of view; their experiences, family, and even troubles.
On the other side of the coin, social networking sites have made us anti-social. I have seen people leave comments for their significant other with terms of endearment or plans for the weekend, and I wonder why they didn’t just say these things in person. Instead, they ask if the recipient had seen the posted comment, and if so, why the recipient hadn’t replied.
I am also guilty of being anti-social with the people I interact with on my social network account. I came in contact with an old buddy of mine who lives five miles from me. We exchange comments weekly on what is happening in our lives, but not once have we gotten together in person or met each other’s spouse. Before social networking sites became popular, people actually met up with friends and updated each other with the details of their lives. They met for dinner parties, outings, or just for fun. Today we just type something into a comment box and press send.
Whether we like them or not social networking sites are here to stay.
The names and layouts may change, but the same basic concept will remain. They have reacquainted family and friends. Friendships have developed that are not limited by the boundaries that surround us. Social networking sites have indeed changed how we socialize. It will be interesting what new technologies and ideas will be fashioned that will make an impact on our culture as social networking sites have.
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