Social Networking: The Pros and Cons

When it comes to social networking sites, people are constantly trying to weigh the list of pros against the list of cons.  For better or for worse, sites like Facebook and Twitter are probably here to stay (that is until the next new site comes along), but it is important to understand both sides of the argument.


Positives

Social networking sites have brought us many advantages, some of which we barely take note of.  Personally, there is no way I would be able to keep in touch with half of the people I met in my travels without the help of Facebook. Many of us realize that it allows us to stay connected to friends and family and to form new relationships, but it creates the means to nurture those relationships in ways that surpass the boundaries of ‘real life.’  

In the past, a long-distance conversation could take months as people waited for letters to travel back and forth, but time and distance really pose no obstacle today. Instant conversations can happen between people all over the world, encouraging participation and inclusion.

This connection also allows for debate and information sharing that can lead to new ideas and conversation.  As Siegler explained, it is an “extension of ‘real life’” and it is just as safe as communicating with a person standing right in front of you, only the person may be thousands of miles away.  

Social media can also help raise awareness about issues and events. People are able to subscribe to pages, receive updates about issues and visit links for more information. The potential to learn and stay informed has increased exponentially.


Negatives

The trouble with social networking, however, is that we inadvertently offer insight into our lives and share our interests with sites like Facebook based on the pages we visit and the things we “like.”  It is that information that companies are seeking and they are willing to pay Facebook to get it.  I’m not certain that I am comfortable being sold as a product.

The article mentioned using algorithms based on Facebook friend lists to make conclusions about traits such as educational level, university attended, and hometown. I have never really considered what friend lists can show about a person, but I suppose the locations they are in and the interests they have would correlate with the individual’s own interests.

I can see why constantly being on Facebook or texting could cause problems resulting from isolation, such as depression or poor academic performance, but it would surprise me if the average person spends enough time online to experience major health concerns. From what I have seen, it seems most people check Facebook in passing, but continue to have most of their daily interactions in the real world.

I also wonder how many of the other listed possible effects that have not had conclusive results actually play a role. While it is true that people can inadvertently provide information, poor grammar usage, poor spelling and “allowing the spread of misinformation...even in light of evidence to the contrary” is a result of individual actions. It is possible to write properly on sites like these and to research information before jumping to conclusions, but it is an individual decision not to do so.

While there are dangers associated with social networking, being aware of the risks goes a long way to prevent future problems.  If it used properly, social networking can be a great advancement in learning and interacting with people.