Social networking websites are designed to enable individuals to connect to one another through various means. These means are commonly real-life existing friendships or family relation to one another, common interests, shared beliefs and opinions. This idea of shared interaction with one another has existed long before the age of the Internet. Humans, by their very nature, not only thrive off these social bonds, but also require these intimate ties in order to continue their existence.
With the birth of the Internet came the birth of a mass global computer network. According to the OED, a computer network is simply ‘a system of interconnected computers.’ A government survey carried out last year found that 70% of UK households had Internet access in 2009 (National Statistics Omnibus Survey, 2009). This means that over two-thirds of the UK population now have the potential to be part of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
These social networking websites provide a variety of ways for individuals to connect to one another. Often, an individual is asked to create their own ‘page’ on these sites, on which they are encouraged to share information about themselves. This information could include personal details, hobbies/interests, favourite films, favourite books, etc. Users are then encouraged to interact with one another via each other’s profiles. Some ways in which users can interact with one another include real-time chat, messaging, blogging, discussion groups, photo uploading, video uploading and file sharing.
Social networking websites bring about numerous advantages. One such advantage is the idea of maintaining relationships. Social networking websites allow us to collate the people in our lives, whether they are in the present or the past, in to one area. This merging of the present and the past is hugely beneficial when it comes to making relationships last. An individual can now keep in contact with old school... [continues]
With the birth of the Internet came the birth of a mass global computer network. According to the OED, a computer network is simply ‘a system of interconnected computers.’ A government survey carried out last year found that 70% of UK households had Internet access in 2009 (National Statistics Omnibus Survey, 2009). This means that over two-thirds of the UK population now have the potential to be part of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Myspace.
These social networking websites provide a variety of ways for individuals to connect to one another. Often, an individual is asked to create their own ‘page’ on these sites, on which they are encouraged to share information about themselves. This information could include personal details, hobbies/interests, favourite films, favourite books, etc. Users are then encouraged to interact with one another via each other’s profiles. Some ways in which users can interact with one another include real-time chat, messaging, blogging, discussion groups, photo uploading, video uploading and file sharing.
Social networking websites bring about numerous advantages. One such advantage is the idea of maintaining relationships. Social networking websites allow us to collate the people in our lives, whether they are in the present or the past, in to one area. This merging of the present and the past is hugely beneficial when it comes to making relationships last. An individual can now keep in contact with old school... [continues]
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(2011, 11). The Impacts of Social Networking Upon Society. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 11, 2011, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Impacts-Of-Social-Networking-Upon-847214.html
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"The Impacts of Social Networking Upon Society" StudyMode.com. 11 2011. 11 2011 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Impacts-Of-Social-Networking-Upon-847214.html>.
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"The Impacts of Social Networking Upon Society." StudyMode.com. 11, 2011. Accessed 11, 2011. http://www.studymode.com/essays/The-Impacts-Of-Social-Networking-Upon-847214.html.