Social Networking

Social Networking can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used for consumers to review and talk about products or to express our thoughts, emotions, and opinions (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc). Privacy is one of the main issues of social media. In the case of Randi Zuckerberg posting a photo that was meant to be viewed by friends, but was viewed by millions of people. She was upset on how she thought her photos remained private to her friends, but little did she know other people had access. Another main issue of social media is cyber-bullying. Traditional bullying usually only happens in school, but now people can bully each other via the internet which is a lot worse because it can happen 24/7 and the whole world can see it. In the article "Antisocial Networking?" found in the New York Times, Mrs, Stout conveys to us that psychologist are not only looking how social networking leads to cyber-bullying, but how it makes us more anti-social. Its kind of an oxymoron, something that is suppose to make us more social is doing the opposite. It is also diminishing our emotions which makes sense because it is hard to show emotions via texting as opposed to talking to the person directly.

In a broad sense, these technologies have became an integral part in our society. Each one of us is guilty of posting content to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. They can benefit society because through these platforms we are able to get messages out instantaneously whether it be news or our opinions. It is ambiguous how these technologies are going to evolve in the future since technology is quickly growing, but I think they will become more connecting with our lives. 

Works Cited

Antisocial Networking? by Hilary Stout, New York Times, May 2, 2010, p. ST1. Available at
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/fashion/02BEST.html

Facebook Privacy Is So Confusing Even the Zuckerberg Family Photo Isn't Private,” The Atlantic Wire, Greenfield, R. December 26, 2012
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2012/12/facebook-privacy-so-confusing-even-zuckerberg-family-photo-isnt-private/60313/