Written by James North, 41217034Social networking services are used to help people interact with others who have the same interests as one another. These services are usually found on the internet and display a wide variety of different ways users can interact, such as instant messaging, photo and video sharing and email.
These social networking websites, such as Facebook, Myspace, Flickr, Youtube and Last.FM create new ways in which users can communicate and share information. In this blog, I will discuss which aspects of the social networking world are positive and which aspects can create a negative.
But first a brief history lesson about the evolution of the social networking world. One of the first social networking services is believed to be Classmates, created in 1995, this site allowed users to search through databases of the people they went to school with. From here, SixDegrees evolved, allowing users to create profiles, messages sent to users held on a 'friends list' and other members could be sought out by who had similar interests to yours in their profiles.
From here, sites such as Facebook and Myspace have evolved and continue to dominate the social networking world. Sites like these enable users to create a public profile where they can express their feelings, thoughts and opinions. As well as linking up with friends or creating new friendships with other people with common interests.
However, these are not the only type of social networking sites used around the world. Sites such as Youtube, Flickr and Last.FM are used to predominantly share videos, photos and music interests respectively. These are a new breed of social networking which still allows users to create profiles and contact eachother, but is mainly used to share videos and images they have created.
FACEBOOK & MYSPACE
Facebook and Myspace are two of the biggest social networking services being used worldwide. Both programs a very similar, with Facebook only having a few extra features over its competitor Myspace. Both programs enable the user to set up a profile containing information about themselves along with profile pictures.
Both services have launched a mobile application, enabling user to access their profiles via their mobile phones. This is a good feature for people to use when they are on the go, continuously being able to update their information. Although you can't access all of the functions the web base services offer, the mobile version offers all of the necessities to 'stay connected'.
A major concern with online social networking services is the privacy issue. Peoples private information and photos can be searched for and viewed by anyone in the world. However, Myspace has the option of setting your profile to 'private', only enabling the user's friends to view their profile page. Facebook also have a similar policy, the user's profile is automatically set to 'private' when created and can only be viewed by others if the user accepts a 'friend request' from other people.
Also, when browsing profile on Myspace, user's are able to search for people by using information about age, location, photos and interests. As a safety issue, Myspace have restricted the age search from 18 years old and up. This stops people from searching for user's under 18 years old.
Another concern when it comes to these social networking sites is 'cyber bullying'.
Stopcyberbullying.org defines cyber bullying as, “Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. Although I have never dealt with this personally, many steps can be taken to prevent this from happening. Websites such as www.stopcyberbullying.org as created to support bullying victims. Actions can also be made using the social networking sites by simply contacting the developers of the site and reporting inappropriate use.
Social networking sites such as these are starting to become a necessity in today's world. How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, did you see on Facebook...”. A new generator of gossip about the people in your life as well as a way to find out all the happenings that are going on. From photo albums of your last weekend out to invitations being 'accepted' or 'declined' for up and coming events, these sites are now a part of everyday life.
Overall, I feel that I have had a positive experience with both of these services. I use both services, however have steered more towards Facebook as it has a higher user percentage amongst my friends. I use this service at least two times a day checking for both recent posts / updates and upcoming events.
Although there are some privacy issues, these can be easily adverted as mentioned earlier. And it's easy enough to delete a friend from your friend list if they are bothering you or using the service inappropriately.
YouTube
YouTube is a social networking site used for sharing videos. Although this site gives users the opportunity to create profiles, the predominant use of these sites is to upload, view and share video files.
Before the launch of Youtube in 2005, there were few simple methods available for ordinary computer users who wanted to post videos online. With its easy to use interface, YouTube made it possible for anyone who could use a computer to post a video that millions of people could watch within a few minutes. YouTube is used by millions of people around the world and you can search for and find almost anything you could imagine.
I love using YouTube not only for the entertainment value, but for its use of tutorial videos. There are almost tutorial videos for everything, from 'Lawnmower Repair and Maintenance: Do It Yourself Tips' to previews for the up and coming 'iPhone 3.0' software update preview.
This is were I get the most use out of YouTube. Its great to learn about new technology being released, for example new mobile phones etc. Another plus is being able to share your own videos with people you know around the world, that you may have not been able to do without the services of Youtube.
Another positive we have seen from the world of YouTube is it being used as a platform for new music artists to get their music out into the world. Artists such as Ok Go saw this opportunity and took it. There video for 'Here It Goes Again' has had over 45,000,000 views since it was uploaded 2 years ago, springing them into international success.
However, YouTube has been criticised over the years over copyright issues and inappropriate content. At the time of uploading a video, YouTube users are shown a screen with the following message:
“Do not upload any TV shows, music videos, music concerts or commercials without permission unless they consist entirely of content you created yourself. The Copyright Tips page and the Community Guidelines can help you determine whether your video infringes someone else's copyright”.
Despite this advice, there are still many unauthorised clips from television shows, films and music videos on YouTube. YouTube does not view videos before they are posted online, and it is left to copyright holders to issue a takedown notice under the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which can lead to unwanted law suits.
In conclusion, I think the world of social networking sites is a 'must have' in todays life. It is way to stay connected with the people around you from home. It enables people to share photos and videos, while reminiscing and having a laugh about past events. As the world gets older, these technologies will continue to evolve, who knows what we will be able to do online in the coming years?
However, these are not the only type of social networking sites used around the world. Sites such as Youtube, Flickr and Last.FM are used to predominantly share videos, photos and music interests respectively. These are a new breed of social networking which still allows users to create profiles and contact eachother, but is mainly used to share videos and images they have created.
FACEBOOK & MYSPACE
Facebook and Myspace are two of the biggest social networking services being used worldwide. Both programs a very similar, with Facebook only having a few extra features over its competitor Myspace. Both programs enable the user to set up a profile containing information about themselves along with profile pictures.
From the user's homepage you are able to search for their already existing friends profile pages. This is done easily by either searching user names or email addresses. However, Facebook makes this easier with their 'People You May Know' tool. This function shows profiles of people you may know but haven't added as a friend yet.
Another great feature used by both programs is the photo tagging tool. This enables the user to tag the people in the photos they are uploading, therefore making the people who have been 'tagged' aware that there are pictures of them on the site. This is a very useful tool and works quite well when sharing photos among friends. However, this function can work against you when an embarrassing photo is posted by you and tagged with your name. But this can be easily taken down by using the 'remove tag' option or by reporting the photo as offensive to Facebook.
Both services have launched a mobile application, enabling user to access their profiles via their mobile phones. This is a good feature for people to use when they are on the go, continuously being able to update their information. Although you can't access all of the functions the web base services offer, the mobile version offers all of the necessities to 'stay connected'.
A major concern with online social networking services is the privacy issue. Peoples private information and photos can be searched for and viewed by anyone in the world. However, Myspace has the option of setting your profile to 'private', only enabling the user's friends to view their profile page. Facebook also have a similar policy, the user's profile is automatically set to 'private' when created and can only be viewed by others if the user accepts a 'friend request' from other people.
Also, when browsing profile on Myspace, user's are able to search for people by using information about age, location, photos and interests. As a safety issue, Myspace have restricted the age search from 18 years old and up. This stops people from searching for user's under 18 years old.
Another concern when it comes to these social networking sites is 'cyber bullying'.
Stopcyberbullying.org defines cyber bullying as, “Cyberbullying" is when a child, preteen or teen is tormented, threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, preteen or teen using the Internet, interactive and digital technologies or mobile phones. Although I have never dealt with this personally, many steps can be taken to prevent this from happening. Websites such as www.stopcyberbullying.org as created to support bullying victims. Actions can also be made using the social networking sites by simply contacting the developers of the site and reporting inappropriate use.
Social networking sites such as these are starting to become a necessity in today's world. How many times have you heard someone say, “Oh, did you see on Facebook...”. A new generator of gossip about the people in your life as well as a way to find out all the happenings that are going on. From photo albums of your last weekend out to invitations being 'accepted' or 'declined' for up and coming events, these sites are now a part of everyday life.
Overall, I feel that I have had a positive experience with both of these services. I use both services, however have steered more towards Facebook as it has a higher user percentage amongst my friends. I use this service at least two times a day checking for both recent posts / updates and upcoming events.
Although there are some privacy issues, these can be easily adverted as mentioned earlier. And it's easy enough to delete a friend from your friend list if they are bothering you or using the service inappropriately.
YouTube
YouTube is a social networking site used for sharing videos. Although this site gives users the opportunity to create profiles, the predominant use of these sites is to upload, view and share video files.
Before the launch of Youtube in 2005, there were few simple methods available for ordinary computer users who wanted to post videos online. With its easy to use interface, YouTube made it possible for anyone who could use a computer to post a video that millions of people could watch within a few minutes. YouTube is used by millions of people around the world and you can search for and find almost anything you could imagine.
I love using YouTube not only for the entertainment value, but for its use of tutorial videos. There are almost tutorial videos for everything, from 'Lawnmower Repair and Maintenance: Do It Yourself Tips' to previews for the up and coming 'iPhone 3.0' software update preview.
This is were I get the most use out of YouTube. Its great to learn about new technology being released, for example new mobile phones etc. Another plus is being able to share your own videos with people you know around the world, that you may have not been able to do without the services of Youtube.
Another positive we have seen from the world of YouTube is it being used as a platform for new music artists to get their music out into the world. Artists such as Ok Go saw this opportunity and took it. There video for 'Here It Goes Again' has had over 45,000,000 views since it was uploaded 2 years ago, springing them into international success.
However, YouTube has been criticised over the years over copyright issues and inappropriate content. At the time of uploading a video, YouTube users are shown a screen with the following message:
“Do not upload any TV shows, music videos, music concerts or commercials without permission unless they consist entirely of content you created yourself. The Copyright Tips page and the Community Guidelines can help you determine whether your video infringes someone else's copyright”.
Despite this advice, there are still many unauthorised clips from television shows, films and music videos on YouTube. YouTube does not view videos before they are posted online, and it is left to copyright holders to issue a takedown notice under the terms of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which can lead to unwanted law suits.
In conclusion, I think the world of social networking sites is a 'must have' in todays life. It is way to stay connected with the people around you from home. It enables people to share photos and videos, while reminiscing and having a laugh about past events. As the world gets older, these technologies will continue to evolve, who knows what we will be able to do online in the coming years?
Although there are some security and privacy concerns, these can be handled easily leaving near to no rick when using these services. Being able to set a profile to 'Private' is a must have option when using these sites. The other issue of cyber bullying isn't really a problem caused by these social networking services but a problem that society must deal with.
Overall, I feel that the use of these social networking sites can only be a good thing as long as they are used appropriately. Whether it is used for people to stay in contact and have some fun with close friends or to create new friendships, or used to broadcast their work around the world. Social networking is a huge part of todays society and will only get bigger.
REFERENCES
Boyd, D. & Ellison, N. (2007) "Social Network Sites: Definition, History and Scholarship", Journal of Computer-Mediated Commnication, 13(1) article 11.
Other references have been hyperlinked throughout the blog.
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