Arriving home from work or school, millions of people around the world head straight to their computers to check their MySpace. In the modern world, social networks such as MySpace and Facebook are becoming the most seen icons everywhere, from computers to billboards. Quickly stopping by their computer to check messages, post statuses , or even to browse the internet, this generation uses social networks constantly. Social networks are on the rise. As they grow steadily however, some people, who look down on them, say that they are a waste of time and should be shut down and forgotten because sometimes it is used as a stand-in for real life. Its main uses seem to be connecting with people, expressing one’s self, and communicating with others. Are these pros or cons?How do social networks help connect people with others? On these social networks, some people are often more outgoing then they are face to face, which can be a good and bad thing. Finding old friends and acquaintances, people often use MySpace and Facebook to reconnect with people they once knew or still know. Since people are so busy things like Facebook are good ways to jot down a quick note like, I miss you, if you don’t have the time to talk on the phone or hang out. Unfortunately some people constantly pester and stalk those who would rather not talk to them. One thing to be wary of is, when on Facebook or MySpace, never accept friend requests from people you don’t know, because there are so many real social network stalkers out there. As Barbara J. Feldman puts it, “MySpace has a wide variety of users; this increases the chance of meeting distasteful people.” Always be on your guard. Choose who you would like to connect with on these sites.
Used often as an outlet to express one’s self, social networks abound with art, emotions, poetry, music, and literature. This digital expression of a person can often be highly annoying when people, who want the whole world to know how they feel, have emotional breakdowns. One thing that relates to self-expression is impression management, which is where people try to impress other people by their friendship choices, only displaying things that they think others will see as cool, or even posting crude or inappropriate things to seem tough (Boyd). Although these things are true, as Connie Neal says in in her book MySpace for Moms and Dads something that applies to both teens and adults:
"MySpace gives teens a place to showcase their talents and share their “artistry” with the world. Musicians can share their music in amazing ways! Even if Mom and Dad don’t appreciate their particular taste in music, there’s sure to be a group at MySpace music that understands and appreciates their genre of music. A budding musician gets quite a thrill to find out that people are hearing their music" (Neal, p. 99).
On Facebook and MySpace, people can usually find and relate to common interests with other people easily, while they can also read peoples’ writings and ideas that they would never have known existed if it hadn’t been for their page.
Commonly used to communicate, Facebook sends millions of information relaying messages every day. Complaining that needed information does not always get replied to fast enough, some people are against this form of communication because of either its reliability or because written messages can be misread and misunderstood. As Facebook and MySpace grow though, more and more people, who use it for jobs, clubs, youth groups, and social gatherings, are using it as their primary form of communication. It is simple and reliable and free. On these messages you can quickly double check information, whereas you might forget the details of a phone conversation. Also if you want to write a simple note to someone for fun, or encouragement, it is easy to write on their social network in a matter of seconds.
Despite its uses in connecting, expressing, and communicating, people are still protesting against social networks. It’s not the network that’s bad; it’s how you use it. When it comes to the issue of people stalking or chatting with you when you don’t want, you can choose to delete or ban them from your friendship, and therefore block them from seeing your page. Excepting the emotional breakdowns and tantrums on Facebook, you can discover an abundance of poetry and art in what people have to say. Also, the easy communication system on social networks is a fantastic reason to use them. In the modern world, things like Facebook, which is relevant and convenient to our day and age, can be put on cell phones so you can receive and send information any time. Just as there are negative aspects to any form of communication—even the telephone—the positive aspects of social networks help us connect and get to know each other better in our busy culture.
Bibliography
Boyd, Dana M. and Nicole B. Ellison, “Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship.” 2007. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), article 11.29 Apr. 2011. http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html
Feldman, Barbara J. “Pros and Cons of MySpace and Facebook.” Surfing The Net With Kids. 29 Apr. 2011. http://www.surfnetkids.com/go/safety/167/pros-and-cons-of-myspace-and-facebook/
Neal, Connie, MySpace for Moms and Dads, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2007.
