essay on social network sites

Social Networking Sites Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on social networking sites.

Social networking sites are a great platform for people to connect with their loved ones. It helps in increasing communication and making connections with people all over the world. Although people believe that social networking sites are harmful, they are also very beneficial.

Furthermore, we can classify social networking sites as per blogging, vlogging, podcasting and more. We use social networking sites for various uses. It helps us greatly; however, it also is very dangerous. We must monitor the use of social networking sites and limit their usage so it does not take over our lives.

Advantage and Disadvantages of Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites are everywhere now. In other words, they have taken over almost every sphere of life. They come with both, advantages as well as disadvantages. If we talk about the educational field, these sites enhance education by having an influence on the learners. They can explore various topics for their projects.

Furthermore, the business field benefits a lot from social networking sites. The companies use social networking sites to connect better with their potential clients and business partners. Moreover, people in search of jobs use the sites to connect better with employers and firms. This gives them a great opportunity to seek better jobs.

Read 500+ Words Essay on Social Media here.

On the other hand, the disadvantages of social networking sites are also very high. They give birth to cybercrimes like cyberbullying , sexual exploitation, money scams and more. It is very harmful to kids as people make them victims of pornography and more. It also gives easy access to the pedophiles of children’s information.

Most importantly, social networking sites are very addictive. They drop the productivity levels of people. Students waste their time using it and get distracted easily from their studies. Moreover, it makes them inactive and limits their physical activities.

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Famous Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites have created a massive presence in today’s world. While there are many types of these sites, some are more famous than the others.

For instance, Facebook is the largest social networking site. It has more than 1 billion users which keep increasing every day. Moreover, it also helps you promote your business or brand through ads.

Secondly, there is Instagram. It is owned by Facebook only. Similarly, this app allows you to share photos and videos with your followers. It gives users a lot of filters to beautify your photos.

Furthermore, Twitter is also a great social networking site. It is mostly used by celebrities. This site allows you to post short messages called tweets to share your thoughts. Twitter is a great platform to convey your message in limited words.

Moreover, we have LinkedIn. This is one of the most sought after sites which allow professionals to locate and hire employees. Subsequently, it is available in more than twenty languages to give a user-friendly interface.

Finally, we have WhatsApp. Though it entered the game quite late, this instant messaging app made a place for itself instantaneously. Facebook acquired this app as well. It allows you to share text messages, images, videos, audios, documents and more.

In short, social networking sites are a bane and a boon. It depends on us how we use to. Anything in excess is harmful; likewise, social networking sites are too. Use them for your benefit and do not let them control your life.

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Social Networking Essay | Sample Essays About Social Networking

March 16, 2023 by Prasanna

Social Networking Essay Introduction: Social networking essay is a topic commonly asked in examinations, hence, to write an engaging essay, students should have in-depth knowledge about social networking. The concept itself is rather easy to understand, hence, it will not be a hassle to comprehend. Moreover, social networking is a powerful tool for learning as it can enable information and knowledge sharing.

However, social networking has more than a few definitions provided by various experts in the industry. But most definitions state social networking as an interaction over a social platform between individuals who may or may not share similar interests, activities, or other connections. The end goal of social networking is to build relationships or to gather information. The following are some essential tips and tricks to keep in mind when writing an essay on social networking or any other topic. Read on to find more about Advantages and Dis-Advantages of Social Networking Essay.

Social Networking Essay – Important Points

To write an engaging social networking essay, the following points are to be noted:

Ensure that the essay has an introductory paragraph
Unless the topic is technical, reduce the use of jargons
Express in points wherever possible
Content must be broken up into digestible chunks
If possible, use dates, names or other specifics that are relevant to the topic.
End the essay with a conclusion
If time permits, read through the essay to ensure that there are no grammatical issues or factual errors.

Last, but not least, ensure that you do your research. Read through online journals, refer to online websites or watch any related media to help generate content for the essay.

“Social Networks represent the digital reflection of what humans do: we connect and share”

Social Networking Essay – Sample 1 (200 words)

Social networking, in its most basic form, is the interaction of individuals with common interests over an online platform. This concept is a marvel of modern technology, enabling people around the globe to connect and interact.

However, the concept is not new; for centuries, people have gathered at major towns for the purpose of socialization. So, social networking can be seen as a modern extension of this age-old tradition. But the foundation for social networking wasn’t laid until the invention of the internet. The first iterations of the world wide web is a far cry from what we see today, nonetheless, it was a milestone in its own terms. Notable precursors to social networking sites emerged in the late 1990s. One of the very first social networking sites to gain traction in India is Orkut, and it hit peak popularity by 2008.

Today, the world is interconnected through social networks, helping people communicate without any hassles. As helpful as it sounds, social networking is not without its flaws. There are many downsides, ranging from online security and child safety to piracy and cyberbullying. Essentially, social networking is a double-edged sword. Therefore, measures need to be taken to prevent such events.

100 Words Essay on Social Media

Social Networking Essay – Sample 2 (500 words)

The world we live in is ever more connected, with people living across various geographic regions interacting in real-time without ever stepping outside their house. It is one of the marvels of modern technology, culminating years of progress and growth in the field of information and technology.

Social networking, in the most literal sense, can be defined as the interaction between individuals that share common interests over an online platform created to facilitate this activity. Though this concept has emerged within the last 50 years, the original idea dates back even further. The gathering at a village market, for the purpose of information or to talk about events, can be considered as a precursor to offline-networking. The limitations during those days were obvious, communication technology was almost non-existent and traveling half-way across the world was not feasible for most.

During the 1950s, a “typical” computer was the size of a small room and it used to weight at least 20-30 tons. Several decades later, the computer was feasibly small and affordable enough for the masses to buy. Therefore, the emergence of personal computers set the stage for the emergence of social networking. Another crucial component required for social networking is the internet . Initially, the internet’s very first iteration was called ARPANET (Advanced Research Projects Agency Network), a project of the United States Defence. Hence, it was not accessible to the general public. As technology progressed, this concept became what we now know as the modern-day worldwide web.

The very first precursors to social networking platforms on the world wide web emerged during the 1990s. Geocities, Tripod.com, and Theglobe.com had many of the functionalities now common in social networking platforms. These sites encouraged users to interact with others through chat rooms. Newer generations of social networking sites emerged in the early 2000s, with Orkut being the most well-known. It was launched in 2004 and gained a lot of popularity by 2008. In India, Orkut was one of the first social networking sites to have gained traction before the emergence of Facebook. Sites such as Linkedin is another type of social networking site that is employment-oriented but used many of the same features as other traditional social networking sites.

Today, social networking is an integral component of society. From being a strategic component of modern businesses to an important tool for teachers and students, social networking has immeasurable implications. However, in the wrong hands, social networking sites can cause privacy and safety concerns. One of the biggest risks associated with social networking is cyberbullying. It can have disastrous repercussions on the morale of affected individuals.

Social Networking Essay Conclusion

Children are especially at risk since continuously monitoring their activities may not be feasible. Another major downfall of social networking is it absolutely kills productivity. It can waste valuable time and encourage procrastination. Strangely, social networking can also lead to domestic crimes such as burglary; posting about a trip on social media, check-in details and other information would provide would-be burglars with the information telling them when to strike. There are also reports of individuals who have had negative professional outcomes due to irresponsible action of social networking platforms.

The key takeaway here is, social networking is a powerful tool, and care must be taken to ensure no negative repercussion occurs.

FAQ’s on Social Networking Essay

Question 1. What is social networking?

Answer: Social networking is defined as the interaction between individuals over an online social platform who may or may not share common interests.

Question 2. What is the end goal of social networking?

Answer: The end goal of social networking is to build relationships or to maintain existing ones. Relations can be professional or among acquaintances, friends or family.

Question 3. Which was the first and most popular social networking site in India?

Answer: Orkut was the very first social networking site to gain traction. However, it is not the first social networking site.

Question 4. Is social networking important?

Answer: Social networking is an important element in today’s world. However, it has the potential to be misused.

Question 5. Give a few examples of social networking sites.

Answer: Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitch, Twitter, etc.

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Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites in 700+ Words

Updated on
Mar 5, 2024

Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites are platforms where people can connect, socialise, learn and entertain. These platforms are now a part of the modern world. The first social networking site was SixDegrees, launched in 1997. Today, there are 4 billion users on social networking sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Whatsapp, etc.

However, social networking sites have given rise to cybercrimes and online frauds, to which youngsters have fallen victim. Recently, Mark Zuckerburg, the CEO of Meta, was slammed by the New Mexico District Attorney for failing to protect children from sexual predators on Facebook and Instagram.

Table of Contents

1.1 Facebook
1.2 YouTube
1.3 Instagram
2 Positive Effects
3 Negative Effects
4 Impact of Social Networking Sites on Our Health
5 Advantages of Not Using Social Networking Sites
6 Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites PDF

Master the art of essay writing with our blog on How to Write an Essay in English .

Popular Social Networking Sites

– Mark Zuckerberg
– 2004
– Social Media and Social Networking Platform
– Menlo Park, California
– 2.94 billion
– C++, PHP and Hack

– Steve Chan and Chad Hurley
– 2005
Online Video Sharing and Social Networking Site
– San Bruno, California
– 2.51 billion
– Python, C++, Java, Go

Kevin Systrom
2010
Photo and Video Sharing Social Networking Service
Menlo Park, California
2.4 billion
Java and Kotlin

Also Read: Essay on Peer Pressure in 100, 200 and 350 Words

Positive Effects

Social networking sites help us connect with our loved ones and distant friends.
Social networking sites valuable sources of information and keep us updated on the latest trends.
Social networking sites can also used for educational purposes. These platforms contain educational content, discussions, and resources that support learning and skill development.
Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook help businesses and individuals in networking, job searching, and career development.
Social networking sites allow for real-time communication through features such as instant messaging, video calls, and live streaming.

Negative Effects

Social networking sites are like addiction. They are designed to be engaging and use algorithms to keep users hooked. Once you start scrolling, you are presented with a constant stream of information, and notifications, and this desire for social validation can create addictive behaviours.
Social networking sites have given birth to cybercrimes like cyberbullying, sexual harassment, hacking, malware and ransomware, spoofing, etc.
Constant exposure to idealised representations of other’s lives on social media results in low self-esteem as we try to compare ourselves with others.
The personal information users share on social networking sites raises concerns about privacy breaches and data misuse by hackers or third parties.
Excessive use of social networking sites leads to time wastage and decreased productivity. Because of this, we are not able to focus on real-world tasks.
Excessive use of social media also affects our mental health, as it results in anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances.
Not everything we see on social networking sites is true. Social networking sites are a breeding ground for fake news, misinformation and rumours.

Impact of Social Networking Sites on Our Health

Studies have shown that there is a strong link between excessive use of social networking sites and our health.
Staying late on social sites and constantly looking at computers or mobile devices results in weakened eyesight and headaches.
Prioritising online interactions over face-to-face relationships can result in social isolation.
Falling victim to cyber crimes can result in stress, anxiety and other mental issues.
Addictive behaviour towards social networking sites can result in sleeping disturbance and mood swings.
Social networking sites can contribute to the fear of missing out (FOMO). It can lead to feelings of anxiety or dissatisfaction with our own lives.

Advantages of Not Using Social Networking Sites

One of the best advantages of not using social networking sites is that your data is secured. Your private information is private.
Not using social networking can alleviate comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to curate a perfect online persona.
Without the constant distraction of social media, we will be able to build meaningful relationships.
Continuous scrolling on social networking sites results in time wastage. We can save a lot of our precious time and indulge in quality work.
Reducing social media presence can lead to improvements in mental health, including reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Avoiding social sites and cell phones at night can result in better sleep quality.

Essay on Effects and Impact of Social Networking Sites PDF

Ans: Social networking sites are platforms where people can connect, socialise, learn and entertain. Social networking sites help us connect with our loved ones and distant friends, can keep us updated on the latest trends and can also used for educational purposes. However, social networking sites are like addiction. They are designed to be engaging and use algorithms to keep users hooked. Once you start scrolling, you are presented with a constant stream of information, and notifications, and this desire for social validation can create addictive behaviours.

Ans: Social networking sites can lead to addiction, time wastage, and cybercrimes like cyberbullying, sexual harassment, hacking, etc. The personal information users share on social networking sites raises concerns about privacy breaches and data misuse by hackers or third parties.

Ans: One of the best advantages of not using social networking sites is that your data is secured. Your private information is private. Not using social networking can alleviate comparison, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to curate a perfect online persona.

For more information on such interesting topics, visit our essay writing page and follow Leverage Edu.

Shiva Tyagi

With an experience of over a year, I've developed a passion for writing blogs on wide range of topics. I am mostly inspired from topics related to social and environmental fields, where you come up with a positive outcome.

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Essay on Social Networking Sites Pros And Cons

Students are often asked to write an essay on Social Networking Sites Pros And Cons in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Social Networking Sites Pros And Cons

Social networking sites: pros and cons.

Social networking sites are online platforms where people can connect with friends, family, and even strangers who share similar interests. They allow users to share photos, videos, and updates about their lives, and to communicate with others through instant messaging and video calls.

Stay Connected: Social networking sites help people stay connected with friends and family who live far away, or who they don’t get to see very often. They also provide opportunities to reconnect with old friends and classmates.

Share and Learn: Social networking sites allow users to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others. They can also learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ideas by connecting with people from all over the world.

Entertainment: Social networking sites offer a variety of entertainment options, such as games, videos, and music. Users can also follow their favorite celebrities, influencers, and brands for updates on their activities and interests.

Cons of Social Networking Sites

Addiction: Spending too much time on social networking sites can lead to addiction. People may find themselves constantly checking their feeds, even when they should be doing other things, such as working or studying.

Cyberbullying: Social networking sites can be a platform for cyberbullying, where people are harassed or threatened online. This can have serious consequences for victims, including depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

Privacy Concerns: Social networking sites collect a lot of data about their users, including their personal information, browsing history, and even their location. This data can be used for targeted advertising, or it can be hacked and used for identity theft or other crimes.

250 Words Essay on Social Networking Sites Pros And Cons

Benefits of social networking sites.

Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have become a big part of our daily lives. One major benefit is that they help us stay connected with friends and family, no matter where they are in the world. We can share photos, videos, and thoughts with just a click. These platforms also make it easier for people to find and join groups that share their interests, which can be great for making new friends or learning new things.

Learning and Opportunities

Another advantage is the opportunity for learning and discovering. Many educational resources and news articles are shared on these sites, making it simple for students to find useful information for their studies or personal growth. Plus, businesses use these platforms to offer jobs, which means you can find job postings and career advice easily.

Downsides of Social Networking Sites

On the other side, these sites have some downsides too. Spending too much time on them can lead to less face-to-face interaction with family and friends, which is very important for our well-being. There’s also the risk of cyberbullying, where people might receive mean comments or messages. Lastly, privacy is a big concern because personal information can sometimes be shared without permission, leading to safety issues.

In conclusion, while social networking sites have their benefits like keeping us connected and offering learning opportunities, they also come with risks like reduced personal interaction, cyberbullying, and privacy issues. It’s important to use them wisely and safely.

500 Words Essay on Social Networking Sites Pros And Cons

What are social networking sites.

Social networking sites are online platforms that allow people to connect with each other and share information. They’ve become increasingly popular, bringing both benefits and drawbacks.

Benefits of Social Media

1. staying connected, 2. learning & sharing.

Social media platforms offer a wealth of information and learning opportunities. You can find news, articles, and videos on just about any topic. You can also share your own knowledge and experiences with others.

3. Entertainment

Social media can also be a great source of entertainment. You can find funny videos, games, and other content to keep you amused. You can also connect with people who share your interests and join online communities.

Risks of Social Networking Sites

1. privacy concerns, 2. cyberbullying.

Another risk of social media is cyberbullying. This is when someone uses electronic devices to bully or harass another person. Cyberbullying can have a devastating impact on the victim, leading to depression, anxiety, and even suicide.

3. Addiction

Social media can also be addictive. The constant stream of notifications and messages can make it hard to pull away. This can lead to problems at school, work, and in relationships.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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IELTS Essay: Social Networking Sites

by Dave | Real Past Tests | 5 Comments

This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of social networking sites from the real IELTS exam.

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Some people think that social networking sites have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally. I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society.

The most obvious effect of social media is on the mental health of individual users. Most people on social media have become to varying degrees addicted to the small dopamine bursts that come from scrolling through their feed, feeling outraged at posts, receiving likes, and making positive or negative comments. Each person is likely to gain satisfaction through a different route but all these self-esteem boosts are unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world. In some cases, individuals retreat from the real world in favor of a virtual one where the stakes are considerably lower and interactions are safely one-sided.

Additionally, the drawbacks of social media are evident throughout society. There are numerous small groups and communities on Facebook that encourage anti-social impulses. For instance, many people post and read about conspiracy theories online on a daily basis. Over time, these individuals begin to feel isolated from mainstream society and the effects of this can appear during real-world events such as the January 6 insurrection and the Occupy Wall Street movement. Although these actions can be interpreted as protests, the viewpoints being expressed are often too extreme to lead to defensible and pragmatic reform.

In conclusion, social media is an overwhelming negative for both normal citizens and the entirety of society. Since governments are averse to regulation, it is important for individuals to abandon these platforms.

1. Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally. 2. I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society.

Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here .

1. The most obvious effect of social media is on the mental health of individual users. 2. Most people on social media have become to varying degrees addicted to the small dopamine bursts that come from scrolling through their feed, feeling outraged at posts, receiving likes, and making positive or negative comments. 3. Each person is likely to gain satisfaction through a different route but all these self-esteem boosts are unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world. 4. In some cases, individuals retreat from the real world in favor of a virtual one where the stakes are considerably lower and interactions are safely one-sided.

Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
Explain your main idea.
Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
Keep developing it fully.

1. Additionally, the drawbacks of social media are evident throughout society. 2. There are numerous small groups and communities on Facebook that encourage anti-social impulses. 3. For instance, many people post and read about conspiracy theories online on a daily basis. 4. Over time, these individuals begin to feel isolated from mainstream society and the effects of this can appear during real-world events such as the January 6 insurrection and the Occupy Wall Street movement. 5. Although these actions can be interpreted as protests, the viewpoints being expressed are often too extreme to lead to defensible and pragmatic reform.

Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
Explain your new main idea.
Include specific details and examples.
Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
This paragraph can be longer.

1. In conclusion, social media is an overwhelming negative for both normal citizens and the entirety of society. 2. Since governments are averse to regulation, it is important for individuals to abandon these platforms.

Summarise your main ideas.
Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here .

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally . I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society.

The most obvious effect of social media is on the mental health of individual users. Most people on social media have become to varying degrees addicted to the small dopamine bursts that come from scrolling through their feed , feeling outraged at posts , receiving likes , and making positive or negative comments . Each person is likely to gain satisfaction through a different route but all these self-esteem boosts are unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world . In some cases , individuals retreat from the real world in favor of a virtual one where the stakes are considerably lower and interactions are safely one-sided .

Additionally , the drawbacks of social media are evident throughout society. There are numerous small groups and communities on Facebook that encourage anti-social impulses . For instance, many people post and read about conspiracy theories online on a daily basis . Over time , these individuals begin to feel isolated from mainstream society and the effects of this can appear during real-world events such as the January 6 insurrection and the Occupy Wall Street movement . Although these actions can be interpreted as protests , the viewpoints being expressed are often too extreme to lead to defensible and pragmatic reform .

In conclusion, social media is an overwhelming negative for both normal citizens and the entirety of society. Since governments are averse to regulation , it is important for individuals to abandon these platforms .

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person websites like Facebook hurt most people generally

society more generally all people in a country

I am in complete agreement with this opinion I agree 100%

likely to suffer from probably will be hurt by

unhealthy addiction not a good habit

cause fractures separate people

The most obvious effect of clearest result is

mental health emotional stability

varying degrees addicted to different amounts can’t stop using

small dopamine bursts little bits of pleasure

scrolling through their feed looking through social media

feeling outraged at posts be angry about social media

receiving likes getting thumbs up / love on a post

making positive or negative comments writing good and bad comments

gain satisfaction through a different route feel good in a different way

self-esteem boosts feeling good about yourself

unhealthy relative to achieving something in the real world not good for you compared to doing things in real life

In some cases sometimes

retreat from stop using

in favor of a virtual one caring more about online life

stakes are considerably lower situation is less risky

interactions talking to people

safely one-sided not interacting

Additionally also

drawbacks downsides

evident throughout clear the whole time

numerous small groups and communities many online clubs

encourage anti-social impulses promote being alone

conspiracy theories online on a daily basis crazy ideas every day

Over time as time goes on

feel isolated from mainstream society not feel part of the public discourse

appear during real-world events such as happen in real-life examples including

January 6 insurrection protest in the United States

Occupy Wall Street movement another protest in the United States

actions steps taken

interpreted as protests seen as freedom of speech

viewpoints opinions

expressed said

too extreme to lead to defensible too strong to result in good

pragmatic reform practical change

overwhelming negative for clearly bad for

normal citizens average people

entirety of all of

averse to regulation not interested in making laws

abandon these platforms stop using social media

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search :

ˈsəʊʃəl ˈmiːdiə hæz ən ˈəʊvərɔːl ˈnɛgətɪv ˈɪmpækt ɒn bəʊθ ði ˈævərɪʤ ˈpɜːsn səˈsaɪəti mɔː ˈʤɛnərəli aɪ æm ɪn kəmˈpliːt əˈgriːmənt wɪð ðɪs əˈpɪnjən ˈlaɪkli tuː ˈsʌfə frɒm ʌnˈhɛlθi əˈdɪkʃ(ə)n kɔːz ˈfrækʧəz ðə məʊst ˈɒbvɪəs ɪˈfɛkt ɒv ˈmɛntl hɛlθ ˈveəriɪŋ dɪˈgriːz əˈdɪktɪd tuː smɔːl ˈdəʊpəmiːn bɜːsts ˈskrəʊlɪŋ θruː ðeə fiːd ˈfiːlɪŋ ˈaʊtreɪʤd æt pəʊsts rɪˈsiːvɪŋ laɪks ˈmeɪkɪŋ ˈpɒzətɪv ɔː ˈnɛgətɪv ˈkɒmɛnts geɪn ˌsætɪsˈfækʃən θruː ə ˈdɪfrənt ruːt sɛlf-ɪsˈtiːm buːsts ʌnˈhɛlθi ˈrɛlətɪv tuː əˈʧiːvɪŋ ˈsʌmθɪŋ ɪn ðə rɪəl wɜːld . ɪn sʌm ˈkeɪsɪz rɪˈtriːt frɒm ɪn ˈfeɪvər ɒv ə ˈvɜːtjʊəl wʌn steɪks ɑː kənˈsɪdərəbli ˈləʊə ˌɪntərˈækʃənz ˈseɪfli wʌn-ˈsaɪdɪd əˈdɪʃənli ˈdrɔːbæks ˈɛvɪdənt θru(ː)ˈaʊt ˈnjuːmərəs smɔːl gruːps ænd kəˈmjuːnɪtiz ɪnˈkʌrɪʤ ˈænti-ˈsəʊʃəl ˈɪmpʌlsɪz kənˈspɪrəsi ˈθɪəriz ˈɒnˌlaɪn ɒn ə ˈdeɪli ˈbeɪsɪs ˈəʊvə taɪm fiːl ˈaɪsəleɪtɪd frɒm ˈmeɪnstriːm səˈsaɪəti əˈpɪə ˈdjʊərɪŋ rɪəl-wɜːld ɪˈvɛnts sʌʧ æz ˈʤænjʊəri siks ˌɪnsəˈrɛkʃən ˈɒkjʊpaɪ wɔːl striːt ˈmuːvmənt ˈækʃ(ə)nz ɪnˈtɜːprɪtɪd æz ˈprəʊtɛsts ˈvjuːpɔɪnts ɪksˈprɛst tuː ɪksˈtriːm tuː liːd tuː dɪˈfɛnsəbl prægˈmætɪk ˌriːˈfɔːm ˌəʊvəˈwɛlmɪŋ ˈnɛgətɪv fɔː ˈnɔːməl ˈsɪtɪznz ɪnˈtaɪəti ɒv əˈvɜːs tuː ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃən əˈbændən ðiːz ˈplætfɔːmz

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

Many today argue that s_____________________________________________________________________n and s__________________________________y . I_____________________________________________n as individuals are l___________________m an u_____________________n and social media can c_________________s in society.

T________________________________f social media is on the m_________________h of individual users. Most people on social media have become to v__________________________o the s__________________s that come from s___________________________d , f_______________________________s , r__________________s , and m___________________________s . Each person is likely to g___________________________________e but all these s_______________________s are u__________________________________________________d . I____________________s , individuals r______________m the real world i____________________________________e where the s______________________________r and i____________s are s____________________d .

A________________y , the d________________s of social media are e_________________t society. There are n_____________________________________________s on Facebook that e_____________________________________s . For instance, many people post and read about c_________________________________________________s . O_______e , these individuals begin to f___________________________________y and the effects of this can a_____________________________________s the J__________________________________n and the O_______________________________t . Although these a_________s can be i_____________________s , the v_______________s being e___________d are often t________________________________e and p______________m .

In conclusion, social media is an o_____________________________r both n________________s and the e________________f society. Since governments are a__________________________n , it is important for individuals to a_______________________s .

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities :

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice :

https://time.com/6240981/social-media-addiction-app/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam :

Mobile Phones and Smartphones

What are the advantages of smartphones?
Should children be allowed to own smartphones?
Do you thinks have a major or minor impact on mental health?
Where in your country is it not appropriate to use a phone?
Do you think smartphone usage may decline in the future?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topics below:

Many people believe that social networking sites (such as Facebook) have a huge negative impact on both individuals and society.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Sample Answer: Social Networking Sites (Real IELTS Test)

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Nowadays, many people argue that social media platforms affects enormous effect on individual and society. I completely agree with this opinion and will show some light for the same in this essay. Social media platforms such as Instagram, facebook, whatsapp impacts an average person in such a malicious manner which he leads to be more fugitive, annoying and anxious about his likes , dislikes on his profile on these platforms among other. Recently my cousin was so into his IG profile that any new post he makes he makes sure the likes and comment he gets more than previous one. This is making our generation very sceptical about their image in society being dependend on likes and comment on their post.

Moreover our society too is getting impacted by this addiction majorly the young generation of the country. They think being more tech savvy on these platforms make them feel more important and cool. However, in society it has led to no celebrations, no group activities, or no social gatherings like earlier it used to takes place to commemorate enthusiastically festivals or birthdays. For instance, earlier in my neighbourhood there used to be annual gatherings for annul meet, this year it was conducted online via Video call. By this it states that we are being more reticent and reserved from jocund and light hearted.

By this I can conclude that an individual must quit the online platform addiction and focus more on outdoor activities and be more convivial and jolly rather being more in the virtual world.

Hi, could you/anyone mention the country where this questions were published??

When students mention that in their reports I will, but typically I think the country doesn’t really matter…

Actually I am from India

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Social Networking Sites Essay

Essay on Social Networking Sites

Vedantu provides Essays on various topics to provide students with an understanding of how to write essays in the exam. Essay writing has many benefits: it allows students to have a strong grip on language, improves sentence formation and grammar. Download an essay on the topic Reading is a Good Habit on Vedantu’s site.

Social Networking Sites

Social media is an online platform for communication and the exchange of data. Social media platforms create a virtual world that can be accessible by the internet. One can also define social media as a social network that keeps the entire world connected. Even the world’s richest person Bill Gates suggested to the young entrepreneur the extraction of capitative income from social media in his conference through his quote, “If I was down at the last dollar in my marketing budget, I’d spend it on PR!” PR is nothing but ‘Public Relation’. And PR has a tremendous impact on social networking sites.

Earlier there were post offices to deliver letters from one place to the other. The process was long and tedious. Even for delivery of 30-50 km, at least 7-8 days was minimum awaited. Then the world got a boost with technology. The world started moving at the speed of it. Everything merged up and compacted in this virtual world.

Social networking sites contain connecting websites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp and many lesser-known platforms. These websites assist a person to get connected with people who are a thousand miles away. Communication routes are pretty much easier for the messages. It plays a leading role in providing new employment avenues. Many new and lucrative job opportunities have come up due to the rise of social media marketing. Also, job seekers can now submit their resumes or directly communicate with the company owners about their qualities. We can create our profiles online with our business details which assist in promoting businesses. Some businesses are already running on social sites; blogging is most popular amongst all. With the advancement of social media technology, news can spread in a matter of minutes.

A widely popular social media platform is YouTube. YouTube started as a channel for funny videos but it has established itself as a social media website. Platforms like YouTube allow new artists to showcase their talent and earn popularity and money.

Every coin has two sides. On one side where there are so many benefits of such sites, on the other, there are many negative repercussions. Many criminals have the lion’s share in fake accounts. Hacking and other malicious practices have become a common menace. Frequent FIR’s are submitted about money-related frauds. Moreover, women’s safety feels endangered. If proper care is being taken in advance, nothing is going to harm us at all.

Vedantu’s Guidance on structuring Social Networking Sites Essay

The beauty of writing an essay is in the amount of freedom a writer is offered while writing and structuring it. But if you find it difficult to structure Social Networking Sites Essay, we suggest you stick to the basic pattern followed throughout which is as follows:

Introduction: This will be the first paragraph of your essay where you can introduce the idea of social media and talk about some daily life examples to enhance your point further.

Body: This will be the part of your essay wherein you will put forward your main idea and content. Here you can talk about the emergence of social media, some pioneering social media sites, facts and data, changing marketing dynamics, effects of social media on society, and a lot more.

Conclusion: This is where you will give your final thoughts about social media and try to provide a well-balanced ending note which is optimistic. You can also suggest a few way-forwards.

This is a very basic outline for writing an essay that is universally approved. You can modify this structure as per your writing style to include additional points. Also, remember to stick to the word limit mentioned in the question.

FAQs on Social Networking Sites Essay

1. Which are some of the famous social networking sites available today?

Some of the famous social networking sites are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp etc. Facebook is the largest social media site with more than two billion users. All these sites provide a different way to connect to the digital world. These websites not only provide a forum to share and connect but also plays an extensive role in digital marketing and advertising. They have also become a source of news and learning.

2. What are some of the benefits of social networking sites?

Social Media provides a way of connecting with the digital world. Everyone can find new people, make friends and communicate with their loved ones all over the world using social media platforms. It also provides a way for students to widen their knowledge by connecting to teachers and professors all around the globe. It provides a platform to increase the business through advertising and provides a creative way of doing business. People can attend meetings and sign deals sitting in the comfort of their homes.

3. Where can students avail a free essay on the topic ‘Social Networking Sites’?

Students can avail themselves of a free essay on the topic ‘Social Networking Sites’ on online learning platforms like Vedantu. Vedantu is a premier learning platform where students can avail free study materials. Online resources like essays on various topics are written by experts to help students understand how to write impressive essays.

4. What are the important points to mention while writing an essay on the topic ‘Social Media Sites’?

Some of the important points to mention while writing an essay on the topic ‘Social Media Sites’ are:

It should contain the advantages and disadvantages of Social Media.

It should briefly explain Social media.

It must contain information about some of the widely used Social Media Platforms.

It must contain knowledge about its effect on the younger generation and common people around the globe.

5. How should I approach Social Networking Sites Essay?

Approaching an essay is a challenge for many students, this usually happens due to a lack of understanding of the topic. For writing an essay on Social Networking Sites you first begin with thinking about the structure for your essay. Then you can shift your focus towards collecting data, facts and numbers. You should also try to include your own experiences and observations. This will bring a unique perspective to the essay which will be of your own. After all this exercise, you can progress towards writing the essay.

6. Why is Social Networking Sites Essay an important topic for an English essay?

Social Networking Sites Essay is a very expected topic in any English exam as it is very relevant in contemporary times. As the times are changing so are our ways of interacting with people in general. Social media has affected every part of our lives. Due to pandemics, human to human interaction has been reduced thus the world has started using social media for connecting. Businesses, meetings, learning, shopping, etc. everything has moved online and everyone is trying to create a presence on social media sites. This has provided ample opportunities but also brought with it a new set of challenges. Due to all of these reasons, an essay on social media is very much expected.

7. I find it difficult to express my thoughts while writing Social Networking Sites Essays. How do I tackle this problem?

The thinking process of every student differs and we understand it perfectly. To express your thoughts while writing Social Networking Sites Essays, you can try to fit in your own experience and observation. Try to recall how your childhood was when social media sites were less prevalent and how it has changed now. You can also try to visit a few social media sites and see how they operate and how it is beneficial for businesses and customers. While doing this exercise keep noting your observations then try to fit these in your essay. You may refer to Vedantu's guide to writing an essay to structure your essay. Also, you may read the above essay for your reference and then start working on your ideas.

8. Do I need to memorise Social Networking Sites Essays word by word for the exam?

No, not at all. There is no need to memorise Social Networking Sites Essay or for that matter, any English essay present on Vedantu’s website. You only need to focus on the structuring of the essay, content to be covered in each part, technical terms and keywords. With these, you will be well equipped to write an entire essay on your own in the exam. Practising a few essays from Vedantu's website will boost your confidence and will prepare you to write an essay on any given topic in the exam hall on the day of the exam.

9. How should I show that social media has various benefits while writing a Social Networking Sites Essay?

You need to highlight the benefits of social media while writing Social Networking Sites Essays. To cover this theme in the essay, you can talk about how social media has changed the world and society for good by bringing people close to each other. Today customers can get access to international businesses, consumers can get access to international products, common people can showcase their talents on various social media sites, a wide variety of educational content is available on these sites, lectures are conducted online for students to attend, etc.

December 8, 2017

Are Social Networking Sites Controlling Your Mind?

Users must decide if the benefits of these sites outweigh their costs, but can that decision be made freely if social networking sites are potentially addictive?

By Simon McCarthy-Jones & The Conversation US

Tim Robberts Getty Images

The following essay is reprinted with permission from The Conversation , an online publication covering the latest research.

How can you live the life you want to, avoiding the distractions and manipulations of others? To do so, you need to know how you work. “ Know thyself ”, the Ancients urged. Sadly, we are often bad at this .

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But by contrast, others know us increasingly well. Our intelligence, sexual orientation—and much more—can be computed from our Facebook likes . Machines, using data from our digital footprint, are better judges of our personality than our friends and family. Soon, artificial intelligence , using our social network data, will know even more. The 21st-century challenge will be how to live when others know us better than we know ourselves.

But how free are we today? There are industries dedicated to capturing and selling our attention—and the best bait is social networking. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter have drawn us closer round the campfire of our shared humanity. Yet, they come with costs, both personal and political . Users must decide if the benefits of these sites outweigh their costs.

This decision should be freely made. But can it be, if social networking sites are potentially addictive? The decision should also be informed. But can it be, if we don’t know what is happening behind the curtain?

Sean Parker, the first president of Facebook, recently discussed the thought process that went into building this social network. He described it as being:

All about how do we consume as much of your time and conscious attention as possible?

To do this, the user had to be given:

A little dopamine hit every once in a while because someone liked or commented on a photo or a post…and that’s going to get you to contribute more.

Parker continued:

It’s exactly the kind of thing that a hacker like myself would come up with because you’re exploiting a vulnerability in human psychology… The inventors, creators, it’s me, it’s Mark [Zuckerberg]… understood this consciously. And we did it anyway.

Human needs create human vulnerabilities

So what are these vulnerabilities? Humans have a fundamental need to belong and a fundamental desire for social status . As a result, our brains treat information about ourselves like a reward. When our behaviour is rewarded with things such as food or money, our brain’s “ valuation system ” activates. Much of this system is also activated when we encounter self-relevant information. Such information is hence given great weight. That’s why, if someone says your name, even across a noisy room, it automatically pops into your consciousness .

Information relating to our reputation and social rank is particularly important. We are wired to be sensitive to this. We understand social dominance at only 15 months of age .

Social networking sites grab us because they involve self-relevant information and bear on our social status and reputation. The greater your need to belong and be popular , and the stronger your brain’s reward centres respond to your reputation being enhanced , the more irresistible is the site’s siren song.

Is social media addictive?

Gambling is addictive because you don’t know how many bets you will have to make before you win. B F Skinner uncovered this in his Harvard pigeon lab in the 1950s. If pigeons were given food every time they pecked a button, they pecked a lot. If they were only sometimes given food when they pecked a button, they not only pecked much more, but did so in a frantic, compulsive manner.

It could be argued that Skinner’s pigeon lab was resurrected at Harvard in 2004, with two modifications. It was called Facebook. And it didn’t use pigeons.

When you check Facebook you can’t predict if someone will have left you self-relevant information or not. Social network sites are slot machines that pay out the gold of self-relevant information. This is why billions of people pull their levers. So, can they be addictive?

Facebook reportedly originally advertised itself as “the college addiction” . Today, some researchers claim Facebook addiction “ has become a reality ”. However, this is not a recognised psychiatric disorder and there are problems with the concept.

People undertake many activities on Facebook, from gaming to social networking. The term “Facebook addiction” hence lacks specificity . Also, as Facebook is just one of many networking sites, the term “ social networking addiction ” would seem more appropriate.

Yet, the term “addiction” itself remains potentially problematic. Addictions are typically thought of as chronic conditions that cause problems in your life. Yet, a 5-year follow-up study found that many excessive behaviours deemed to be addictions—such as exercising, sex, shopping and video gaming—were fairly temporary. Furthermore, excessive social network use need not cause problems for everyone. Indeed, labelling excessive involvement in an activity as an “addiction” could result in the overpathologisation of everyday behaviors . Context is key.

Nevertheless, excessive social network use has been convincingly argued to lead to symptoms associated with addiction. This includes becoming preoccupied with these sites, using them to modify your mood, needing to use them more and more to get the same effects, and suffering withdrawal effects when use is ceased that often cause you to start using again. The best estimate is that around 5% of adolescent users have significant levels of addiction-like symptoms.

Taking back control

How can we benefit from social networking sites without being consumed by them?Companies could redesign their sites to mitigate the risk of addiction. They could use opt-out default settings for features that encourage addiction and make it easier for people to self-regulate their usage. However, some claim that asking tech firms “to be less good at what they do feels like a ridiculous ask”. So government regulation may be needed, perhaps similar to that used with the tobacco industry .

Users could also consider whether personal reasons are making them vulnerable to problematic use. Factors that predict excessive use include an increased tendency to experience negative emotions , being unable to cope well with everyday problems , a need for self-promotion , loneliness and fear of missing out . These factors will, of course, not apply to everyone.

Finally, users could empower themselves. It is already possible to limit time on these sites using apps such as Freedom , Moment and StayFocusd . The majority of Facebook users have voluntarily taken a break from Facebook , though this can be hard .

“I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul,” run the famous lines from Invictus . Sadly, future generations may find them incomprehensible.

This article was originally published on The Conversation . Read the original article .

Home — Essay Samples — Sociology — Social Networking — Social Networking Sites

Social Networking Sites

Categories: Social Networking

About this sample

Words: 641 |

Published: Oct 11, 2018

Words: 641 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Social networking, most known social networking sites (spencer 2017).

Facebook - This is easily the biggest social networking site in the world and one of the most widely used. It was possibly the first that surpassed the landmark of 1 billion user accounts.
WhatsApp - It reached on the scene much later than Facebook, but has been capable to capture the imagination of millions of people around the world by giving them the ability to communicate and share instantly with individuals and groups.
Tumblr - Tumblr serves as a social media with micro-blogging platform that can be used to find and follow things that you like. You may also use it to post anything, together with multimedia, to a short-form blog.
Instagram - Instagram was launched as an exceptional social networking platform that was completely built for sharing photos and videos. This photo sharing social networking app thus allows you to capture the best moments of your life, with your phone’s camera or any other camera, and transform them into works of art.
Twitter - This social networking site enables you to post short text messages which are called tweets, containing a limited number of characters, to convey your message to the world.
Skype – Skype is owned by Microsoft, and it is one of the most popular communication-based social networking platforms. It enables you to connect with people through voice calls, video calls (with the use of a webcam) and text messaging. You can even conduct group conference calls.
Viber – Viber is a multi-lingual social platform, which is available in more than 30 languages. It is known for its instant text messaging and voice messaging capabilities. You can also share photos and videos and audio messages through viber.
Snapchat - This is an image messaging social platform that allows you to chat with your friends by using pictures.
Pinterest - Pinterest is a photo sharing and visual bookmarking social media site or app that allows you to find new ideas for your plans and save them.
Youtube - YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing social networking site that enables users to upload and share videos, view them, comment on them and like them.

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Social Network Sites (SNSs) have attracted a lot of people in different ages to constructing social relationships with people who share interests, activities or backgrounds. The purpose of this essay is to provide a conceptual, historical and advantages versus disadvantages of the SNSs . the essay begin by defining a social network sites , the revolution of social networking sites and then list of popular social networking sites. Following this, the affects of SNSs on business, education services and social relationships and attempt to consider tradeoffs of SNSs as well . It conclude with a summary of the article’s main points and suggestions about optimizing social networking channels for the best people usage. Social network site is defined in (Ellison , 2007 ) as ‘web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system'(p. 2). In other word, The Social Network Sites are sites where users can build their profiles , share these profiles with their families and friends and allow them to connect with each other through the system. The connections’ ways differ from one site to another. Although users can meet strangers on social networking sites , but it is not the only purpose of them . They provide visual connection for their users that cannot be obtained from other sites. Most of SNSs users are using these sits mainly to communicate with their extended social life members rather than searching for new people to meet them. ‘To emphasize this articulated social network as a critical organizing feature of these sites, we label them (social network sites).’ ( Ellison, 2007) Beside the plenty of technical aspects that have been implemented by SNSs , the backbone of SNSs contains visual profiles where individuals can show friends’ list who already use the system. The profiles are generated depending on forms which are filled out by users ( Ellison, 2007). The profile include personal information such as nickname, gender , date of birth, hobbies, religion, ethnicity and marital status. Majority of sites allow users to upload photos or videos. There are several social network sites attract different audience and participants. A Web traffic analysis company – Compete.com – showed that the most popular online social networking site in November 2008 was ‘MySpace, with 56 million unique visitors per month, closely followed by Facebook, with 49 million unique visitors.'( Trusov etal , 2009) The using of social networks sites in business sector major effect on work and business world. The cost of use social networking sites is low; businessmen who looking to wide range of contact ways with their customers this can be useful for them. Social network sites play role in advertising; companies can promote their services and products on banner form , flash or text ads. Companies which want to fame globally; social network sites facilitate keep in touch with overseas customer . (Social networking Sites 101)

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Article Contents

Introduction, social network sites: a definition, a history of social network sites, previous scholarship, overview of this special theme section, future research, acknowledgment, about the authors.

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Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship

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danah m. boyd, Nicole B. Ellison, Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship, Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication , Volume 13, Issue 1, 1 October 2007, Pages 210–230, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2007.00393.x

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Social network sites (SNSs) are increasingly attracting the attention of academic and industry researchers intrigued by their affordances and reach. This special theme section of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication brings together scholarship on these emergent phenomena. In this introductory article, we describe features of SNSs and propose a comprehensive definition. We then present one perspective on the history of such sites, discussing key changes and developments. After briefly summarizing existing scholarship concerning SNSs, we discuss the articles in this special section and conclude with considerations for future research.

Since their introduction, social network sites (SNSs) such as MySpace, Facebook, Cyworld, and Bebo have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. As of this writing, there are hundreds of SNSs, with various technological affordances, supporting a wide range of interests and practices. While their key technological features are fairly consistent, the cultures that emerge around SNSs are varied. Most sites support the maintenance of pre-existing social networks, but others help strangers connect based on shared interests, political views, or activities. Some sites cater to diverse audiences, while others attract people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious, or nationality-based identities. Sites also vary in the extent to which they incorporate new information and communication tools, such as mobile connectivity, blogging, and photo/video-sharing.

Scholars from disparate fields have examined SNSs in order to understand the practices, implications, culture, and meaning of the sites, as well as users’ engagement with them. This special theme section of the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication brings together a unique collection of articles that analyze a wide spectrum of social network sites using various methodological techniques, theoretical traditions, and analytic approaches. By collecting these articles in this issue, our goal is to showcase some of the interdisciplinary scholarship around these sites.

The purpose of this introduction is to provide a conceptual, historical, and scholarly context for the articles in this collection. We begin by defining what constitutes a social network site and then present one perspective on the historical development of SNSs, drawing from personal interviews and public accounts of sites and their changes over time. Following this, we review recent scholarship on SNSs and attempt to contextualize and highlight key works. We conclude with a description of the articles included in this special section and suggestions for future research.

We define social network sites as web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site.

While we use the term “social network site” to describe this phenomenon, the term “social networking sites” also appears in public discourse, and the two terms are often used interchangeably. We chose not to employ the term “networking” for two reasons: emphasis and scope. “Networking” emphasizes relationship initiation, often between strangers. While networking is possible on these sites, it is not the primary practice on many of them, nor is it what differentiates them from other forms of computer-mediated communication (CMC).

What makes social network sites unique is not that they allow individuals to meet strangers, but rather that they enable users to articulate and make visible their social networks. This can result in connections between individuals that would not otherwise be made, but that is often not the goal, and these meetings are frequently between “latent ties” ( Haythornthwaite, 2005 ) who share some offline connection. On many of the large SNSs, participants are not necessarily “networking” or looking to meet new people; instead, they are primarily communicating with people who are already a part of their extended social network. To emphasize this articulated social network as a critical organizing feature of these sites, we label them “social network sites.”

While SNSs have implemented a wide variety of technical features, their backbone consists of visible profiles that display an articulated list of Friends 1 who are also users of the system. Profiles are unique pages where one can “type oneself into being” ( Sundén, 2003 , p. 3). After joining an SNS, an individual is asked to fill out forms containing a series of questions. The profile is generated using the answers to these questions, which typically include descriptors such as age, location, interests, and an “about me” section. Most sites also encourage users to upload a profile photo. Some sites allow users to enhance their profiles by adding multimedia content or modifying their profile’s look and feel. Others, such as Facebook, allow users to add modules (“Applications”) that enhance their profile.

The visibility of a profile varies by site and according to user discretion. By default, profiles on Friendster and Tribe.net are crawled by search engines, making them visible to anyone, regardless of whether or not the viewer has an account. Alternatively, LinkedIn controls what a viewer may see based on whether she or he has a paid account. Sites like MySpace allow users to choose whether they want their profile to be public or “Friends only.” Facebook takes a different approach—by default, users who are part of the same “network” can view each other’s profiles, unless a profile owner has decided to deny permission to those in their network. Structural variations around visibility and access are one of the primary ways that SNSs differentiate themselves from each other.

Timeline of the launch dates of many major SNSs and dates when community sites re-launched with SNS features

After joining a social network site, users are prompted to identify others in the system with whom they have a relationship. The label for these relationships differs depending on the site—popular terms include “Friends,” “Contacts,” and “Fans.” Most SNSs require bi-directional confirmation for Friendship, but some do not. These one-directional ties are sometimes labeled as “Fans” or “Followers,” but many sites call these Friends as well. The term “Friends” can be misleading, because the connection does not necessarily mean friendship in the everyday vernacular sense, and the reasons people connect are varied ( boyd, 2006a ).

The public display of connections is a crucial component of SNSs. The Friends list contains links to each Friend’s profile, enabling viewers to traverse the network graph by clicking through the Friends lists. On most sites, the list of Friends is visible to anyone who is permitted to view the profile, although there are exceptions. For instance, some MySpace users have hacked their profiles to hide the Friends display, and LinkedIn allows users to opt out of displaying their network.

Most SNSs also provide a mechanism for users to leave messages on their Friends’ profiles. This feature typically involves leaving “comments,” although sites employ various labels for this feature. In addition, SNSs often have a private messaging feature similar to webmail. While both private messages and comments are popular on most of the major SNSs, they are not universally available.

Not all social network sites began as such. QQ started as a Chinese instant messaging service, LunarStorm as a community site, Cyworld as a Korean discussion forum tool, and Skyrock (formerly Skyblog) was a French blogging service before adding SNS features. Classmates.com , a directory of school affiliates launched in 1995, began supporting articulated lists of Friends after SNSs became popular. AsianAvenue, MiGente, and BlackPlanet were early popular ethnic community sites with limited Friends functionality before re-launching in 2005–2006 with SNS features and structure.

Beyond profiles, Friends, comments, and private messaging, SNSs vary greatly in their features and user base. Some have photo-sharing or video-sharing capabilities; others have built-in blogging and instant messaging technology. There are mobile-specific SNSs (e.g., Dodgeball), but some web-based SNSs also support limited mobile interactions (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, and Cyworld). Many SNSs target people from specific geographical regions or linguistic groups, although this does not always determine the site’s constituency. Orkut, for example, was launched in the United States with an English-only interface, but Portuguese-speaking Brazilians quickly became the dominant user group ( Kopytoff, 2004 ). Some sites are designed with specific ethnic, religious, sexual orientation, political, or other identity-driven categories in mind. There are even SNSs for dogs (Dogster) and cats (Catster), although their owners must manage their profiles.

While SNSs are often designed to be widely accessible, many attract homogeneous populations initially, so it is not uncommon to find groups using sites to segregate themselves by nationality, age, educational level, or other factors that typically segment society (Hargittai, this issue), even if that was not the intention of the designers.

The Early Years

According to the definition above, the first recognizable social network site launched in 1997. SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their Friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the Friends lists. Each of these features existed in some form before SixDegrees, of course. Profiles existed on most major dating sites and many community sites. AIM and ICQ buddy lists supported lists of Friends, although those Friends were not visible to others. Classmates.com allowed people to affiliate with their high school or college and surf the network for others who were also affiliated, but users could not create profiles or list Friends until years later. SixDegrees was the first to combine these features.

SixDegrees promoted itself as a tool to help people connect with and send messages to others. While SixDegrees attracted millions of users, it failed to become a sustainable business and, in 2000, the service closed. Looking back, its founder believes that SixDegrees was simply ahead of its time (A. Weinreich, personal communication, July 11, 2007). While people were already flocking to the Internet, most did not have extended networks of friends who were online. Early adopters complained that there was little to do after accepting Friend requests, and most users were not interested in meeting strangers.

From 1997 to 2001, a number of community tools began supporting various combinations of profiles and publicly articulated Friends. AsianAvenue, BlackPlanet, and MiGente allowed users to create personal, professional, and dating profiles—users could identify Friends on their personal profiles without seeking approval for those connections (O. Wasow, personal communication, August 16, 2007). Likewise, shortly after its launch in 1999, LiveJournal listed one-directional connections on user pages. LiveJournal’s creator suspects that he fashioned these Friends after instant messaging buddy lists (B. Fitzpatrick, personal communication, June 15, 2007)—on LiveJournal, people mark others as Friends to follow their journals and manage privacy settings. The Korean virtual worlds site Cyworld was started in 1999 and added SNS features in 2001, independent of these other sites (see Kim & Yun, this issue). Likewise, when the Swedish web community LunarStorm refashioned itself as an SNS in 2000, it contained Friends lists, guestbooks, and diary pages (D. Skog, personal communication, September 24, 2007).

The next wave of SNSs began when Ryze.com was launched in 2001 to help people leverage their business networks. Ryze’s founder reports that he first introduced the site to his friends—primarily members of the San Francisco business and technology community, including the entrepreneurs and investors behind many future SNSs (A. Scott, personal communication, June 14, 2007). In particular, the people behind Ryze, Tribe.net , LinkedIn, and Friendster were tightly entwined personally and professionally. They believed that they could support each other without competing ( Festa, 2003 ). In the end, Ryze never acquired mass popularity, Tribe.net grew to attract a passionate niche user base, LinkedIn became a powerful business service, and Friendster became the most significant, if only as “one of the biggest disappointments in Internet history” ( Chafkin, 2007 , p. 1).

Like any brief history of a major phenomenon, ours is necessarily incomplete. In the following section we discuss Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook, three key SNSs that shaped the business, cultural, and research landscape.

The Rise (and Fall) of Friendster

Friendster launched in 2002 as a social complement to Ryze. It was designed to compete with Match.com , a profitable online dating site ( Cohen, 2003 ). While most dating sites focused on introducing people to strangers with similar interests, Friendster was designed to help friends-of-friends meet, based on the assumption that friends-of-friends would make better romantic partners than would strangers (J. Abrams, personal communication, March 27, 2003). Friendster gained traction among three groups of early adopters who shaped the site—bloggers, attendees of the Burning Man arts festival, and gay men ( boyd, 2004 )—and grew to 300,000 users through word of mouth before traditional press coverage began in May 2003 ( O’Shea, 2003 ).

As Friendster’s popularity surged, the site encountered technical and social difficulties ( boyd, 2006b ). Friendster’s servers and databases were ill-equipped to handle its rapid growth, and the site faltered regularly, frustrating users who replaced email with Friendster. Because organic growth had been critical to creating a coherent community, the onslaught of new users who learned about the site from media coverage upset the cultural balance. Furthermore, exponential growth meant a collapse in social contexts: Users had to face their bosses and former classmates alongside their close friends. To complicate matters, Friendster began restricting the activities of its most passionate users.

The initial design of Friendster restricted users from viewing profiles of people who were more than four degrees away (friends-of-friends-of-friends-of-friends). In order to view additional profiles, users began adding acquaintances and interesting-looking strangers to expand their reach. Some began massively collecting Friends, an activity that was implicitly encouraged through a “most popular” feature. The ultimate collectors were fake profiles representing iconic fictional characters: celebrities, concepts, and other such entities. These “Fakesters” outraged the company, who banished fake profiles and eliminated the “most popular” feature ( boyd, in press-b ). While few people actually created Fakesters, many more enjoyed surfing Fakesters for entertainment or using functional Fakesters (e.g., “Brown University”) to find people they knew.

The active deletion of Fakesters (and genuine users who chose non-realistic photos) signaled to some that the company did not share users’ interests. Many early adopters left because of the combination of technical difficulties, social collisions, and a rupture of trust between users and the site ( boyd, 2006b ). However, at the same time that it was fading in the U.S., its popularity skyrocketed in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia ( Goldberg, 2007 ).

SNSs Hit the Mainstream

From 2003 onward, many new SNSs were launched, prompting social software analyst Clay Shirky (2003) to coin the term YASNS: “Yet Another Social Networking Service.” Most took the form of profile-centric sites, trying to replicate the early success of Friendster or target specific demographics. While socially-organized SNSs solicit broad audiences, professional sites such as LinkedIn, Visible Path, and Xing (formerly openBC) focus on business people. “Passion-centric” SNSs like Dogster (T. Rheingold, personal communication, August 2, 2007) help strangers connect based on shared interests. Care2 helps activists meet, Couchsurfing connects travelers to people with couches, and MyChurch joins Christian churches and their members. Furthermore, as the social media and user-generated content phenomena grew, websites focused on media sharing began implementing SNS features and becoming SNSs themselves. Examples include Flickr (photo sharing), Last.FM (music listening habits), and YouTube (video sharing).

With the plethora of venture-backed startups launching in Silicon Valley, few people paid attention to SNSs that gained popularity elsewhere, even those built by major corporations. For example, Google’s Orkut failed to build a sustainable U.S. user base, but a “Brazilian invasion” ( Fragoso, 2006 ) made Orkut the national SNS of Brazil. Microsoft’s Windows Live Spaces (a.k.a. MSN Spaces) also launched to lukewarm U.S. reception but became extremely popular elsewhere.

Few analysts or journalists noticed when MySpace launched in Santa Monica, California, hundreds of miles from Silicon Valley. MySpace was begun in 2003 to compete with sites like Friendster, Xanga, and AsianAvenue, according to co-founder Tom Anderson (personal communication, August 2, 2007); the founders wanted to attract estranged Friendster users (T. Anderson, personal communication, February 2, 2006). After rumors emerged that Friendster would adopt a fee-based system, users posted Friendster messages encouraging people to join alternate SNSs, including Tribe.net and MySpace (T. Anderson, personal communication, August 2, 2007). Because of this, MySpace was able to grow rapidly by capitalizing on Friendster’s alienation of its early adopters. One particularly notable group that encouraged others to switch were indie-rock bands who were expelled from Friendster for failing to comply with profile regulations.

While MySpace was not launched with bands in mind, they were welcomed. Indie-rock bands from the Los Angeles region began creating profiles, and local promoters used MySpace to advertise VIP passes for popular clubs. Intrigued, MySpace contacted local musicians to see how they could support them (T. Anderson, personal communication, September 28, 2006). Bands were not the sole source of MySpace growth, but the symbiotic relationship between bands and fans helped MySpace expand beyond former Friendster users. The bands-and-fans dynamic was mutually beneficial: Bands wanted to be able to contact fans, while fans desired attention from their favorite bands and used Friend connections to signal identity and affiliation.

Futhermore, MySpace differentiated itself by regularly adding features based on user demand ( boyd, 2006b ) and by allowing users to personalize their pages. This “feature” emerged because MySpace did not restrict users from adding HTML into the forms that framed their profiles; a copy/paste code culture emerged on the web to support users in generating unique MySpace backgrounds and layouts ( Perkel, in press ).

Teenagers began joining MySpace en masse in 2004. Unlike older users, most teens were never on Friendster—some joined because they wanted to connect with their favorite bands; others were introduced to the site through older family members. As teens began signing up, they encouraged their friends to join. Rather than rejecting underage users, MySpace changed its user policy to allow minors. As the site grew, three distinct populations began to form: musicians/artists, teenagers, and the post-college urban social crowd. By and large, the latter two groups did not interact with one another except through bands. Because of the lack of mainstream press coverage during 2004, few others noticed the site’s growing popularity.

Then, in July 2005, News Corporation purchased MySpace for $580 million ( BBC, 2005 ), attracting massive media attention. Afterwards, safety issues plagued MySpace. The site was implicated in a series of sexual interactions between adults and minors, prompting legal action ( Consumer Affairs, 2006 ). A moral panic concerning sexual predators quickly spread ( Bahney, 2006 ), although research suggests that the concerns were exaggerated. 2

A Global Phenomenon

While MySpace attracted the majority of media attention in the U.S. and abroad, SNSs were proliferating and growing in popularity worldwide. Friendster gained traction in the Pacific Islands, Orkut became the premier SNS in Brazil before growing rapidly in India ( Madhavan, 2007 ), Mixi attained widespread adoption in Japan, LunarStorm took off in Sweden, Dutch users embraced Hyves, Grono captured Poland, Hi5 was adopted in smaller countries in Latin America, South America, and Europe, and Bebo became very popular in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia. Additionally, previously popular communication and community services began implementing SNS features. The Chinese QQ instant messaging service instantly became the largest SNS worldwide when it added profiles and made friends visible ( McLeod, 2006 ), while the forum tool Cyworld cornered the Korean market by introducing homepages and buddies ( Ewers, 2006 ).

Blogging services with complete SNS features also became popular. In the U.S., blogging tools with SNS features, such as Xanga, LiveJournal, and Vox, attracted broad audiences. Skyrock reigns in France, and Windows Live Spaces dominates numerous markets worldwide, including in Mexico, Italy, and Spain. Although SNSs like QQ, Orkut, and Live Spaces are just as large as, if not larger than, MySpace, they receive little coverage in U.S. and English-speaking media, making it difficult to track their trajectories.

Expanding Niche Communities

Alongside these open services, other SNSs launched to support niche demographics before expanding to a broader audience. Unlike previous SNSs, Facebook was designed to support distinct college networks only. Facebook began in early 2004 as a Harvard-only SNS ( Cassidy, 2006 ). To join, a user had to have a harvard.edu email address. As Facebook began supporting other schools, those users were also required to have university email addresses associated with those institutions, a requirement that kept the site relatively closed and contributed to users’ perceptions of the site as an intimate, private community.

Beginning in September 2005, Facebook expanded to include high school students, professionals inside corporate networks, and, eventually, everyone. The change to open signup did not mean that new users could easily access users in closed networks—gaining access to corporate networks still required the appropriate .com address, while gaining access to high school networks required administrator approval. (As of this writing, only membership in regional networks requires no permission.) Unlike other SNSs, Facebook users are unable to make their full profiles public to all users. Another feature that differentiates Facebook is the ability for outside developers to build “Applications” which allow users to personalize their profiles and perform other tasks, such as compare movie preferences and chart travel histories.

While most SNSs focus on growing broadly and exponentially, others explicitly seek narrower audiences. Some, like aSmallWorld and BeautifulPeople, intentionally restrict access to appear selective and elite. Others—activity-centered sites like Couchsurfing, identity-driven sites like BlackPlanet, and affiliation-focused sites like MyChurch—are limited by their target demographic and thus tend to be smaller. Finally, anyone who wishes to create a niche social network site can do so on Ning, a platform and hosting service that encourages users to create their own SNSs.

Currently, there are no reliable data regarding how many people use SNSs, although marketing research indicates that SNSs are growing in popularity worldwide ( comScore, 2007 ). This growth has prompted many corporations to invest time and money in creating, purchasing, promoting, and advertising SNSs. At the same time, other companies are blocking their employees from accessing the sites. Additionally, the U.S. military banned soldiers from accessing MySpace ( Frosch, 2007 ) and the Canadian government prohibited employees from Facebook ( Benzie, 2007 ), while the U.S. Congress has proposed legislation to ban youth from accessing SNSs in schools and libraries ( H.R. 5319, 2006 ; S. 49, 2007 ).

The rise of SNSs indicates a shift in the organization of online communities. While websites dedicated to communities of interest still exist and prosper, SNSs are primarily organized around people, not interests. Early public online communities such as Usenet and public discussion forums were structured by topics or according to topical hierarchies, but social network sites are structured as personal (or “egocentric”) networks, with the individual at the center of their own community. This more accurately mirrors unmediated social structures, where “the world is composed of networks, not groups” ( Wellman, 1988 , p. 37). The introduction of SNS features has introduced a new organizational framework for online communities, and with it, a vibrant new research context.

Scholarship concerning SNSs is emerging from diverse disciplinary and methodological traditions, addresses a range of topics, and builds on a large body of CMC research. The goal of this section is to survey research that is directly concerned with social network sites, and in so doing, to set the stage for the articles in this special issue. To date, the bulk of SNS research has focused on impression management and friendship performance, networks and network structure, online/offline connections, and privacy issues.

Impression Management and Friendship Performance

Like other online contexts in which individuals are consciously able to construct an online representation of self—such as online dating profiles and MUDS—SNSs constitute an important research context for scholars investigating processes of impression management, self-presentation, and friendship performance. In one of the earliest academic articles on SNSs, boyd (2004) examined Friendster as a locus of publicly articulated social networks that allowed users to negotiate presentations of self and connect with others. Donath and boyd (2004) extended this to suggest that “public displays of connection” serve as important identity signals that help people navigate the networked social world, in that an extended network may serve to validate identity information presented in profiles.

While most sites encourage users to construct accurate representations of themselves, participants do this to varying degrees. Marwick (2005) found that users on three different SNSs had complex strategies for negotiating the rigidity of a prescribed “authentic” profile, while boyd (in press-b) examined the phenomenon of “Fakesters” and argued that profiles could never be “real.” The extent to which portraits are authentic or playful varies across sites; both social and technological forces shape user practices. Skog (2005) found that the status feature on LunarStorm strongly influenced how people behaved and what they choose to reveal—profiles there indicate one’s status as measured by activity (e.g., sending messages) and indicators of authenticity (e.g., using a “real” photo instead of a drawing).

Another aspect of self-presentation is the articulation of friendship links, which serve as identity markers for the profile owner. Impression management is one of the reasons given by Friendster users for choosing particular friends ( Donath & boyd, 2004 ). Recognizing this, Zinman and Donath (2007) noted that MySpace spammers leverage people’s willingness to connect to interesting people to find targets for their spam.

In their examination of LiveJournal “friendship,” Fono and Raynes-Goldie (2006) described users’ understandings regarding public displays of connections and how the Friending function can operate as a catalyst for social drama. In listing user motivations for Friending, boyd (2006a) points out that “Friends” on SNSs are not the same as “friends” in the everyday sense; instead, Friends provide context by offering users an imagined audience to guide behavioral norms. Other work in this area has examined the use of Friendster Testimonials as self-presentational devices ( boyd & Heer, 2006 ) and the extent to which the attractiveness of one’s Friends (as indicated by Facebook’s “Wall” feature) impacts impression formation ( Walther, Van Der Heide, Kim, & Westerman, in press ).

Networks and Network Structure

Social network sites also provide rich sources of naturalistic behavioral data. Profile and linkage data from SNSs can be gathered either through the use of automated collection techniques or through datasets provided directly from the company, enabling network analysis researchers to explore large-scale patterns of friending, usage, and other visible indicators ( Hogan, in press ), and continuing an analysis trend that started with examinations of blogs and other websites. For instance, Golder, Wilkinson, and Huberman (2007) examined an anonymized dataset consisting of 362 million messages exchanged by over four million Facebook users for insight into Friending and messaging activities. Lampe, Ellison, and Steinfield (2007) explored the relationship between profile elements and number of Facebook friends, finding that profile fields that reduce transaction costs and are harder to falsify are most likely to be associated with larger number of friendship links. These kinds of data also lend themselves well to analysis through network visualization ( Adamic, Buyukkokten, & Adar, 2003 ; Heer & boyd, 2005 ; Paolillo & Wright, 2005 ).

SNS researchers have also studied the network structure of Friendship. Analyzing the roles people played in the growth of Flickr and Yahoo! 360’s networks, Kumar, Novak, and Tomkins (2006) argued that there are passive members, inviters, and linkers “who fully participate in the social evolution of the network” (p. 1). Scholarship concerning LiveJournal’s network has included a Friendship classification scheme ( Hsu, Lancaster, Paradesi, & Weniger, 2007 ), an analysis of the role of language in the topology of Friendship ( Herring et al., 2007 ), research into the importance of geography in Friending ( Liben-Nowell, Novak, Kumar, Raghavan, and Tomkins, 2005 ), and studies on what motivates people to join particular communities ( Backstrom, Huttenlocher, Kleinberg, & Lan, 2006 ). Based on Orkut data, Spertus, Sahami, and Buyukkokten (2005) identified a topology of users through their membership in certain communities; they suggest that sites can use this to recommend additional communities of interest to users. Finally, Liu, Maes, and Davenport (2006) argued that Friend connections are not the only network structure worth investigating. They examined the ways in which the performance of tastes (favorite music, books, film, etc.) constitutes an alternate network structure, which they call a “taste fabric.”

Bridging Online and Offline Social Networks

Although exceptions exist, the available research suggests that most SNSs primarily support pre-existing social relations. Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe (2007) suggest that Facebook is used to maintain existing offline relationships or solidify offline connections, as opposed to meeting new people. These relationships may be weak ties, but typically there is some common offline element among individuals who friend one another, such as a shared class at school. This is one of the chief dimensions that differentiate SNSs from earlier forms of public CMC such as newsgroups ( Ellison et al., 2007 ). Research in this vein has investigated how online interactions interface with offline ones. For instance, Lampe, Ellison, and Steinfield (2006) found that Facebook users engage in “searching” for people with whom they have an offline connection more than they “browse” for complete strangers to meet. Likewise, Pew research found that 91% of U.S. teens who use SNSs do so to connect with friends ( Lenhart & Madden, 2007 ).

Given that SNSs enable individuals to connect with one another, it is not surprising that they have become deeply embedded in user’s lives. In Korea, Cyworld has become an integral part of everyday life— Choi (2006) found that 85% of that study’s respondents “listed the maintenance and reinforcement of pre-existing social networks as their main motive for Cyworld use” (p. 181). Likewise, boyd (2008) argues that MySpace and Facebook enable U.S. youth to socialize with their friends even when they are unable to gather in unmediated situations; she argues that SNSs are “networked publics” that support sociability, just as unmediated public spaces do.

Popular press coverage of SNSs has emphasized potential privacy concerns, primarily concerning the safety of younger users ( George, 2006 ; Kornblum & Marklein, 2006 ). Researchers have investigated the potential threats to privacy associated with SNSs. In one of the first academic studies of privacy and SNSs, Gross and Acquisti (2005) analyzed 4,000 Carnegie Mellon University Facebook profiles and outlined the potential threats to privacy contained in the personal information included on the site by students, such as the potential ability to reconstruct users’ social security numbers using information often found in profiles, such as hometown and date of birth.

Acquisti and Gross (2006) argue that there is often a disconnect between students’ desire to protect privacy and their behaviors, a theme that is also explored in Stutzman’s (2006) survey of Facebook users and Barnes’s (2006) description of the “privacy paradox” that occurs when teens are not aware of the public nature of the Internet. In analyzing trust on social network sites, Dwyer, Hiltz, and Passerini (2007) argued that trust and usage goals may affect what people are willing to share—Facebook users expressed greater trust in Facebook than MySpace users did in MySpace and thus were more willing to share information on the site.

In another study examining security issues and SNSs, Jagatic, Johnson, Jakobsson, and Menczer (2007) used freely accessible profile data from SNSs to craft a “phishing” scheme that appeared to originate from a friend on the network; their targets were much more likely to give away information to this “friend” than to a perceived stranger. Survey data offer a more optimistic perspective on the issue, suggesting that teens are aware of potential privacy threats online and that many are proactive about taking steps to minimize certain potential risks. Pew found that 55% of online teens have profiles, 66% of whom report that their profile is not visible to all Internet users ( Lenhart & Madden, 2007 ). Of the teens with completely open profiles, 46% reported including at least some false information.

Privacy is also implicated in users’ ability to control impressions and manage social contexts. Boyd (in press-a) asserted that Facebook’s introduction of the “News Feed” feature disrupted students’ sense of control, even though data exposed through the feed were previously accessible. Preibusch, Hoser, Gürses, and Berendt (2007) argued that the privacy options offered by SNSs do not provide users with the flexibility they need to handle conflicts with Friends who have different conceptions of privacy; they suggest a framework for privacy in SNSs that they believe would help resolve these conflicts.

SNSs are also challenging legal conceptions of privacy. Hodge (2006) argued that the fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution and legal decisions concerning privacy are not equipped to address social network sites. For example, do police officers have the right to access content posted to Facebook without a warrant? The legality of this hinges on users’ expectation of privacy and whether or not Facebook profiles are considered public or private.

Other Research

In addition to the themes identified above, a growing body of scholarship addresses other aspects of SNSs, their users, and the practices they enable. For example, scholarship on the ways in which race and ethnicity ( Byrne, in press ; Gajjala, 2007 ), religion ( Nyland & Near, 2007 ), gender ( Geidner, Flook, & Bell, 2007 ; Hjorth & Kim, 2005 ), and sexuality connect to, are affected by, and are enacted in social network sites raise interesting questions about how identity is shaped within these sites. Fragoso (2006) examined the role of national identity in SNS use through an investigation into the “Brazilian invasion” of Orkut and the resulting culture clash between Brazilians and Americans on the site. Other scholars are beginning to do cross-cultural comparisons of SNS use— Hjorth and Yuji (in press) compare Japanese usage of Mixi and Korean usage of Cyworld, while Herring et al. (2007) examine the practices of users who bridge different languages on LiveJournal—but more work in this area is needed.

Scholars are documenting the implications of SNS use with respect to schools, universities, and libraries. For example, scholarship has examined how students feel about having professors on Facebook ( Hewitt & Forte, 2006 ) and how faculty participation affects student-professor relations ( Mazer, Murphy, & Simonds, 2007 ). Charnigo and Barnett-Ellis (2007) found that librarians are overwhelmingly aware of Facebook and are against proposed U.S. legislation that would ban minors from accessing SNSs at libraries, but that most see SNSs as outside the purview of librarianship. Finally, challenging the view that there is nothing educational about SNSs, Perkel (in press) analyzed copy/paste practices on MySpace as a form of literacy involving social and technical skills.

This overview is not comprehensive due to space limitations and because much work on SNSs is still in the process of being published. Additionally, we have not included literature in languages other than English (e.g., Recuero, 2005 on social capital and Orkut), due to our own linguistic limitations.

The articles in this section address a variety of social network sites—BlackPlanet, Cyworld, Dodgeball, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube—from multiple theoretical and methodological angles, building on previous studies of SNSs and broader theoretical traditions within CMC research, including relationship maintenance and issues of identity, performance, privacy, self-presentation, and civic engagement.

These pieces collectively provide insight into some of the ways in which online and offline experiences are deeply entwined. Using a relational dialectics approach, Kyung-Hee Kim and Haejin Yun analyze how Cyworld supports both interpersonal relations and self-relation for Korean users. They trace the subtle ways in which deeply engrained cultural beliefs and activities are integrated into online communication and behaviors on Cyworld—the online context reinforces certain aspects of users’ cultural expectations about relationship maintenance (e.g., the concept of reciprocity), while the unique affordances of Cyworld enable participants to overcome offline constraints. Dara Byrne uses content analysis to examine civic engagement in forums on BlackPlanet and finds that online discussions are still plagued with the problems offline activists have long encountered. Drawing on interview and observation data, Lee Humphreys investigates early adopters’ practices involving Dodgeball, a mobile social network service. She looks at the ways in which networked communication is reshaping offline social geography.

Other articles in this collection illustrate how innovative research methods can elucidate patterns of behavior that would be indistinguishable otherwise. For instance, Hugo Liu examines participants’ performance of tastes and interests by analyzing and modeling the preferences listed on over 127,000 MySpace profiles, resulting in unique “taste maps.” Likewise, through survey data collected at a college with diverse students in the U.S., Eszter Hargittai illuminates usage patterns that would otherwise be masked. She finds that adoption of particular services correlates with individuals’ race and parental education level.

Existing theory is deployed, challenged, and extended by the approaches adopted in the articles in this section. Judith Donath extends signaling theory to explain different tactics SNS users adopt to reduce social costs while managing trust and identity. She argues that the construction and maintenance of relations on SNSs is akin to “social grooming.” Patricia Lange complicates traditional dichotomies between “public” and “private” by analyzing how YouTube participants blur these lines in their video-sharing practices.

The articles in this collection highlight the significance of social network sites in the lives of users and as a topic of research. Collectively, they show how networked practices mirror, support, and alter known everyday practices, especially with respect to how people present (and hide) aspects of themselves and connect with others. The fact that participation on social network sites leaves online traces offers unprecedented opportunities for researchers. The scholarship in this special theme section takes advantage of this affordance, resulting in work that helps explain practices online and offline, as well as those that blend the two environments.

The work described above and included in this special theme section contributes to an on-going dialogue about the importance of social network sites, both for practitioners and researchers. Vast, uncharted waters still remain to be explored. Methodologically, SNS researchers’ ability to make causal claims is limited by a lack of experimental or longitudinal studies. Although the situation is rapidly changing, scholars still have a limited understanding of who is and who is not using these sites, why, and for what purposes, especially outside the U.S. Such questions will require large-scale quantitative and qualitative research. Richer, ethnographic research on populations more difficult to access (including non-users) would further aid scholars’ ability to understand the long-term implications of these tools. We hope that the work described here and included in this collection will help build a foundation for future investigations of these and other important issues surrounding social network sites.

We are grateful to the external reviewers who volunteered their time and expertise to review papers and contribute valuable feedback and to those practitioners and analysts who provided information to help shape the history section. Thank you also to Susan Herring, whose patience and support appeared infinite.

To differentiate the articulated list of Friends on SNSs from the colloquial term “friends,” we capitalize the former.

Although one out of seven teenagers received unwanted sexual solicitations online, only 9% came from people over the age of 25 ( Wolak, Mitchell, & Finkelhor, 2006 ). Research suggests that popular narratives around sexual predators on SNSs are misleading—cases of unsuspecting teens being lured by sexual predators are rare ( Finkelhor, Ybarra, Lenhart, boyd, & Lordan, 2007 ). Furthermore, only .08% of students surveyed by the National School Boards Association (2007) met someone in person from an online encounter without permission from a parent.

Acquisti , A. , & Gross , R . ( 2006 ). Imagined communities: Awareness, information sharing, and privacy on the Facebook . In P. Golle & G. Danezis (Eds.), Proceedings of 6th Workshop on Privacy Enhancing Technologies (pp. 36 – 58 ). Cambridge, UK : Robinson College .

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danah m. boyd is a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Information at the University of California-Berkeley and a Fellow at the Harvard University Berkman Center for Internet and Society. Her research focuses on how people negotiate mediated contexts like social network sites for sociable purposes.

Address: 102 South Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720–4600, USA

Nicole B. Ellison is an assistant professor in the Department of Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media at Michigan State University. Her research explores issues of self-presentation, relationship development, and identity in online environments such as weblogs, online dating sites, and social network sites.

Address: 403 Communication Arts and Sciences, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA

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Essay on Social Networking Sites for Students in English [Easy Words]

January 6, 2021 by Sandeep

Essay on Social Networking Sites: Social media offers user-friendly platforms to connect, interact, share happiness and remain updated with our group of friends. Children need to be supervised thoroughly by adults to ensure social networking sites’ right usage. Business people connect with their clients and partners through social networking sites. We should also be careful with cybercrimes, hacking and exploitation.

Essay on Social Networking Sites in 500 Words

We have provided Social Networking Sites Essay in English, suitable for class 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10.

Social networking is one of the simplest means of connecting, exchanging and receiving information. This has evolved tremendously in recent years and continues to expand with every moment. It has been part and parcel of our everyday lives. Any platform that lets us communicate and socialise locally or globally is a social network. Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram and WhatsApp are popular social networking sites.

The social impacts of each tool are essential. Likewise, social networking sites are not far away and have a significant influence, both positive and negative, on our society. Moreover, though it may seem weird, social networking sites can also impact people’s health.

Advantages of Social Networking Sites

One of the most significant and amazing benefits of social networking sites is that it helps you to communicate with people throughout the world.
We do not need to search for news on different blogs, and news can be found on popular social networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Social networking sites are one of the world’s best marketing channels. Social media marketing is the term used on websites or networks such as Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, YouTube and more for Advertising Technologies.
Social networks maintain awareness and change the way people work. This is life on the web that helps people to discover new, innovative things that can improve their lives.
Social networking platforms such as Facebook have features such as group sharing and document sharing. You may create a community with a particular purpose and begin to exchange ideas and knowledge. Social networking sites are immensely useful in collecting feedback and opinions on new concepts.

Disadvantages of Social Networking Sites

Due to social network sites such as Facebook, Instagram, etc., the compulsive behaviour developed leads to detrimental effect. Chicago University researchers have found that dependency on social networking sites can be higher than cigarettes and drug dependence.
Social networking sites have been associated with increased risk of problems of mental health such as depression, anxiety and loneliness.
Across many social networking sites, there are billions of fake profiles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Within six months, Facebook deletes over three trillion fake accounts and five percent of the monthly active Facebook profiles.
Fake and misleading news on social media platforms can be viral in no time. More than 80 percent of those who respond to the link do not read the whole article or post on Facebook. That is so many publishers, and spammers are using the sites to exploit the information they exchange.
Because anyone can access social networking sites to share things, plenty of us use them to convey hatred and violence. The general public is also the victim of cyber bullying.
Many social networking web users do not learn entirely about the security steps to be taken by using social networking sites. Users on social networking platforms exchange thoughts, personal memories, images etc. These details will help hackers access social media, e-mails, or even their phone to access your accounts.

How Ivy League Hopefuls Can Build Their Network This Summer

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For high school students dreaming of attending Ivy League institutions, summer is not just a break from academics—it is an invaluable opportunity to build a network that can help them on the path toward their collegiate goals. Networking can open doors to mentorship, internships, and firsthand advice from those who have successfully navigated the Ivy League admissions process. While the age of the internet has opened new avenues for connection by allowing students to meet peers, professionals, and subject matter experts that they would not otherwise encounter, making the most of such networking opportunities—whether online or in person—requires strategy and skill.

For high school students seeking to level up their networking skills this summer, here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1. Start Locally

While the internet offers innumerable outlets for students to meet others in their field of interest and enrich their skillset, networking should always start in one’s own community. Before setting their sights on exchanging emails with Elon Musk, students should identify respected professionals, academics, or community leaders in their own community who may provide valuable insights or connections. Students can start by reaching out to friends and family members who know others working in their field of interest, attend the colleges they are applying to, or offer internships or volunteer opportunities for high school students in their area.

2. Master Email Etiquette

When reaching out to community members they do not know, students should send a brief and professional email explaining their goals and specifically stating how the recipient’s expertise might benefit their goals. They should begin with a professional greeting, using the person’s official title before introducing themself (this should include their school, grade and relevant accomplishments or interests). Students can then ask specific questions, set up a time to get coffee, or request to chat via Zoom or over the phone.

3. Maintain a Professional Online Presence

Alternatively, students can reach out to community leaders via networking sites such as LinkedIn ; social media platforms like Twitter can also be powerful tools for networking if used wisely. Creating a professional online presence can help students connect with key individuals and stay informed about new opportunities. While students may have personal Instagram or Twitter accounts on which they share photos or personal thoughts, they should be sure to engage with professionals and academics in their field from an account used solely for professional purposes. Students can follow Ivy League admissions officers and faculty members, and engage with their posts by commenting thoughtfully and sharing content that resonates with them.

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Best 5% interest savings accounts of 2024, 4. make long-term impact.

When building a network, students should keep in mind that quality is often more important than quantity. Making connections with a breadth of peers and professionals in your field of interest can be helpful, but you will likely find that the most meaningful and beneficial relationships are those cultivated over time. For instance, if you are involved in a volunteer organization or internship program, committing to the activity over a couple of years during your high school career will allow you to grow in your role, demonstrate your commitment to the cause, and develop new skills over time. Likewise, your peers, supervisors, and mentors will be able to craft meaningful letters of recommendation, offer advice as you engage in the college search, or connect you with others who can help you along the way.

5. Make a Strategic Plan for Requesting Letters of Recommendations

Finally, students should note that a strong network is made up of people with diverse expertise—not every person in their network will be able to offer insightful college advice or write a strong letter of recommendation. Because of this, students should be intentional and strategic about how they leverage their network, using some connections to secure internships or jobs, others to make connections in their field of interest, and others to craft compelling letters of recommendation. The best recommenders will be those who have interacted with the student in a meaningful way (whether as a supervisor, professional or academic mentor) and who can attest to their unique strengths in the admissions process.

Building a network is a proactive and ongoing process. By taking advantage of summer opportunities, you can create a support system that provides guidance, inspiration, and practical assistance on your path to the Ivy League. The relationships you build now can significantly impact your future academic and professional success.

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George Clooney says Biden not the man he was in 2020, should drop out

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What Is Cinema?

Monica Lewinsky: In Praise of Alternate Endings, 10 Years After My First VF Essay

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Never lose hope.

“I love you. Bye, Felicia !” I texted my friend Katerina on October 27, 2016. The sassy send-off had been in the culture for two decades (a reference from the film Friday ), but it had only crossed our transom that year. We used it affectionately and, therefore, ironically. Unbeknownst to me, it would be our last text exchange. She died unexpectedly on November 1.

Our friendship had been a salvation in the latter half of what I now call my Dark Decade, roughly 2004 to 2014. Though that stretch of time included some moments of joy, they were few and far between. For the most part, I was in a sea of pain, coming to grips with what it meant to have been standing at the center of a political sex scandal in which I was opposing the most powerful man in the world. Coming to grips with the trauma that grew around me, like weeds, as a result of the public revelations of my private life, the ensuing media circus, an impeachment trial. Coming to grips with what my future might look like. Answer: It looked fucking bleak. I was unemployable. And I was Angry.

Katerina, an entrepreneur and activist, was whip-smart about current events, world history, and spiritual matters. She had a roaring, infectious laugh. She was also kind. You would hardly know that less than a decade earlier, in a freak accident, she had broken her back in five places. After being reassembled with metal rods, she was told she’d likely never walk again. “Screw that,” she would say, “pun intended.” She didn’t lose hope and instead insisted on an alternate ending, prognosis be damned. With grit (and some luck), she recovered and did indeed walk again. And she walked tall.

Our conversations spanned the personal and the political. In 2013, as Edward Snowden leaked classified NSA documents, exposing an array of methods the government and European allies used to spy on private citizens, Kat posited that 15 years earlier, the Starr Report had catapulted us all into what she termed the Age of Transparency. We’d had explosive disclosures in politics before: the Pentagon Papers, Watergate , Iran-Contra. But at their core, these were military, political, professional; 1998 was personal. A boss having an extramarital affair with a young subordinate. A politician abusing power. People, under oath, lying about sex. Rumors titillating the Beltway and beyond. All ordinaire. Almost quotidian. But this time was different. As the truth was made public, published in full on the internet, the personal behavior of a private citizen (me)—along with the actions of others, which had typically been obfuscated by power, gender, status, and wealth—was laid bare. And this transparency led to historical and cultural shifts.

Kat made the point that after 1998, for better or for worse, becoming transparent meant becoming Seen—in new and sometimes disturbing ways. And year upon year, we began to peek behind the veil in all facets of life and culture, thanks to the Patriot Act, reality television, the truth about weapons of mass destruction, the advent of social media, Wikileaks, 23andMe, the UK tabloid phone hacking scandal, and on and on.

Kat’s argument was compelling. And a year after Snowden’s data dump, 2014, I would find myself impacted by this Age of Transparency yet again, this time gratefully.

Ten years ago, after a decade of self-imposed silence in which I had retreated from a world that still shamed me, after a decade of involution and integration (and a fuckton of healing), I jumped back into the public conversation. With no safety net. And I found my voice…by writing for this magazine.

In many ways, my 2014 essay, “ Shame and Survival ,” was a social experiment. Vanity Fair and its then editor, Graydon Carter, could have been lambasted for giving someone from a 15-year-old news story, well, 15 more minutes. And not just in a splashy interview, but in a first-person essay in which I allowed myself to be transparent—and unblinking. (The first line was “How does it feel to be America’s blow job queen?”) I was no longer mediated through another’s gaze but stepping forward unabashedly.

RFK Jr.’s Family Doesn’t Want Him to Run. Even They May Not Know His Darkest Secrets.

And something surprising happened. A generation that hadn’t lived through the Brainwashing of 1998 insisted on reevaluating this story, one that, given government and judicial overreach, given the technological and tabloid explosion, had always been bigger than me and any one of the other players in it. It had always been a story about the culture at large, and why in my original piece I had referred to myself as a social canvas.

What followed was a Big Fat Fucking Miracle™. My life changed, and I’ll be forever thankful.

That doesn’t mean it has been all smooth sailing. Hardly. Over the years, I’ve spoken confidentially to many people who have been publicly shamed and have explained that taking back one’s narrative doesn’t happen overnight and is (annoyingly) replete with plenty of setbacks. While the essay went on to be nominated for a National Magazine Award (I’m not kidding, alongside pieces by Ta-Nehisi Coates and Roger Angell—Angell won), the following month I attended a party in LA and a famous diva asked me, point-blank, if I was someone’s plus-one. When I replied I had been invited, she snarked, “They just let everyone in tonight, didn’t they?” (Yes, really.)

It went on like this. I gave my first major public speeches: at the Forbes 30 Under 30 conference and, several months later, in 2015, at TED in Vancouver. But mere minutes after my TED Talk, “The Price of Shame ,” went online, the level of vitriol, misogyny, and hatred spewed at me in the comments section was worse than anything the TED team had experienced before. (Who knew there were so many ways to say whore ?) Soon I began working with anti-bullying organizations globally. And yet, when one of the groups was being honored at an event, I was asked not to walk the red carpet.

In 2018, I was asked by Vanity Fair ’s newly appointed editor, Radhika Jones, to address the #MeToo moment in an essay in which I unpacked my own thoughts about what constituted consent in a workplace relationship with a quintessential power differential. Shortly thereafter I was disinvited to a philanthropy summit because former president Bill Clinton was a last-minute addition to the roster.

I could go on for hours. If this last decade has shown me anything, it’s that we never know what lurks or enlivens around the next corner. That one essay, where someone took a chance on me, helped set my life on a different course.

My friend Katerina, who is intensely missed, was not as fortunate. One night she had dined out with her husband and developed what became a fatal case of food poisoning. She was hospitalized, sepsis set in, and she quickly passed. But to this day she remains Seen, in all her common majesty, by everyone who encountered her in life.

After all, in the end what matters more than how it all began is how we have been Seen . And as Rumi wrote:

Never lose hope, dear heart. Miracles swell in the invisible.

Monica Lewinsky

“We Have a Recurring Problem”: Rachel Maddow Isn’t Done Dredging Up America’s Fascist History

Social Networking Sites Positive and Negative Contribution Essay

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As a template for you assignment

The impact of social networking on the lives of individuals and societies

Enhancing relationships and reducing communication barriers, development of social skills, social networking as a tool of change, reference list.

Social media is a vast form of interaction and communication which permeates every aspect of modern culture. As a matter of fact, the trend has become an integral part of human life in the contemporary world. Great milestones are being realised in the communication sector as modern technologies continue to evolve in every minute that passes.

Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and MySpace are widely used across the world to enhance human interaction and communication (Ellison 2007). These social networking sites have emerged as reliable communication platforms for individuals, business organisations, celebrities, and government departments, thus amassing great recognition from allover the world.

These powerful technologies have continued to offer great benefits to humans in a number of ways. For example, the mediums have helped to change the way we interact with other people in life. More importantly, the social networking sites have continued to play a crucial role in helping people gain a better understanding of other cultures, retain and strengthen familial ties, and socialise with other people from allover the world.

Although people will tend to see social networking sites as flawless technological innovations, the sites can also bring negative impacts to individuals and societies. For example, the constant use of these social networking sites has brought profound issues to modern societies, organisations, and individuals.

Some of the bad effects that may tend to arise from the social networking sites include privacy issues, health matters, insecurity concerns, and social aspects. These mixed perceptions about the implications of social networking sites on individuals and societies have made the trend a controversial issue.

Whilst some people perceive social media as curse that has been send to the world in the name of technology, others will tend to see it as the best thing that has ever happened to human beings when it comes to communication and social matters.

Despite these mixed perceptions about social networking sites, it is quite clear that the positive impacts of social media platforms on individuals and societies can never be overestimated. There is no doubt that, the immense benefits realised from these newest technologies in communication have made us better off as individuals and as a society.

Communication has never been as effective as it is in present times, where the proliferation of social media technologies has made it possible for humans to effectively address the obstacles of space and time that can be found in various communication systems (Thompson 2013). As a matter of fact, it has never been easier for people to connect and interact with one another as it is today, thanks to social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google plus, MySpace, and Instagram.

With these social networking websites, people can effectively communicate with their families and friends from any part of the world (Thompson 2013). In this respect, social networking makes it easier for people who live away from home get updated on the latest developments at home in the shortest time possible.

More importantly, the sharing feature of many social media sites has always allowed people to communicate their perceptions over various topics to the masses, thus making communication more convenient. As Haythornthwaite (2002, p. 392) observes, ‘Social networking is a very crucial aspect when it comes to socialisation’.

Through these platforms, people can easily connect with their friends from around the world who they are unable to meet on personal basis, and establish strong relationships that could bring mutual long-term benefits (Haythornthwaite 2002). As it would be observed, there has been a counter argument about social networking, and how it impacts people’s lives in society.

There are some people who tend to see social networking as a false sense of connection. In this regard, it would be hard for the users of social networking sites to draw the line between relationships fostered in the real world, and those formed over the internet (Kiss 2009). This argument has led to the claim that, people who spend much time in social media platforms are likely to withdraw from personal contact with other people around them, probably as a result of the addictive nature of the social networking sites.

This can result into selfishness and attention deficient, as people continue to pay more attention to social media sites, which have become a meaningful part of their life. However, there is no concrete evidence which has been provided to support the perception that spending much time in social networking sites can disengage people from their real-world activities and relationships with other people.

In that case, social networking is still that powerful tool which continues to bring profound benefits to social media users when it comes to enhancement of relations and reduction of communication barriers.

Social networking sites improve the quality of people’s lives in many ways. For instance, through these interactive sites ‘people are able to interact in manners that would be significant in enhancing social skills (Beaumont 2011). As a matter of fact, social websites can make the world small for the users, by exposing them to all kind of social engagements that would have been inaccessible through the normal ways of interaction.

Social media users, particularly the younger ones have come to see social networking as a reliable form of interaction which can be useful for all kind of social explorations (Bates 2012). The fact that social networking sites conceal people’s identities gives the users enough confidence to reveal themselves in a manner that they might not be comfortable with in real-life scenarios.

In this regard, users are likely to find themselves becoming less conscious of themselves and the people they interact with in various social networking mediums. This freedom is likely to compel the users to post personal content on the websites, with less concern on the kind of reactions they are likely to fetch.

Moreover, constant interaction with people of different ethnicities and cultures on social media platforms gives the users a perfect opportunity to develop key social skills. The main counter argument here, however, is that, social networking encourages the users to expose their identities and personal lives to strangers without the slightest idea of the type of implications this can bring to their lives.

Obviously, items posted on social networking sites are likely to remain there indefinitely and this can be a big threat to people’s privacy (Beaumont 2011). The internet is open to all sorts of people in the world, and some have no other intention, but to seek other people’s personal information and use it for all bad reasons.

More importantly, the information may be unattractive in the context of a business client or employer conducting a background investigation. Internet safety, however, is no longer a big worry these days, considering the fact that many social networking sites have introduced features that can allow users control the privacy of any personal information they post online (Waters et al. 2009).

Moreover, parents have constantly been urged to discuss internet security matters with their children as one way of ensuring that the latter have a better understanding of the many dangers that are likely to befall them if they carelessly put their personal details online for everybody to see.

In fact, online privacy can be guaranteed if the right procedures are followed. In this regard, social media has a great potential to remain as one of the most reliable technologies that can be useful in helping people advance their social skills (Bates 2012).

There is no doubt that social networking serves as a fast-class transformation medium in the modern world and also a powerful tool which can be used to change the world (Barras 2009). Obviously, social media is a cheap, convenient medium of communication through which huge masses of people can be reached within the shortest time possible.

This, however, explains the reason as to why politicians and other high profile people in the world would opt to use social media, whenever they intend to draw people’s attention to a particular issue of concern or when they are campaigning for elective positions.

Over the past few years, social media has become one of the most promising platforms of passing information to people, popularised by Facebook, Google, and MySpace applications, among other sites. These social networking sites have been used to pass important messages that would be intended to bring positive changes in people’s lives (Barras 2009).

This is evident in Barack Obama’s decision to use social networking as the central mode of communication for his election campaign as US President. As it would be observed, Obama’s massive recognition as a promising Presidential candidate was realised through social networking sites. This victory offered a strong evidence that social media platforms can really be used to bring positive changes in the world.

Similarly, social networking sites can be embedded in organisations to bring group members together. In this case, group or organizational leaders can post updates on Facebook and Twitter for the other group members to see, and this enhances organisational development and productivity (Philipson 2013).

However, the main drawback here is that, the same social networking sites that can be used to bring positive changes can also play a significant role in destroying the world. Online activism and violence against particular groups of people have been fueled through various mediums of the social media (Philipson 2013). Social networking sites have also continued to serve as key platforms for political demonstrations, protests, and uprisings.

A good example of how political activists have used the social media to carry out their missions can be observed in the events of Tunisia, Libya and Egypt where twitter and other social networking sites were used to raise concerns against bad governance and oppressive leadership in the hands of political dictators (Henley 2009).

Even though it is not possible to control the use of social media, interactive social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace are significant portals that can be used to transform the entire social media environment, to ensure that it is used only for the right reasons.

As it is observed in this paper, social media has permeated in every sector of the modern world, as a significant medium through which people are able to communicate and interact with one another easily. It is apparent from this work that various social networking sites have continued to impact people’s lives in many ways.

This enormously successful medium of communication is observed to have changed people’s lives in diverse ways, thus being seen as the best thing which has ever happened in modern day communication. As it revealed in this paper, social networking sites are also associated with numerous negative implications that would tend to bring significant impacts to the lives of individuals and societies.

These positive and negative implications of social networking have continued to raise mixed thoughts and perceptions about whether the trend is good or bad for individuals and societies. As a result of these mixed perceptions, the truth on whether social networking sites have made a more positive or negative impact to people has emerged as a controversial subject across the world.

However, this paper has successfully made it clear that the benefits which individuals and societies continue to receive from social networking sites far outweigh the disadvantages.

Based on the observations of this paper, it is clear that the positive impacts of social media platforms can never be overestimated. In fact, the immense benefits realised from these newest technologies in communication have made us better off as individuals and as a society.

Barras, C. (2009), “Innovation: How social networking might change the world”, New Scientist Magazine , February 27, p. 11.

Bates, D. (2012), “Don’t use Twitter so much… says Twitter BOSS as he brands spending hours on site ‘unhealthy”, Mail Online , February 24, p. 9.

Beaumont, P. (2011), ‘The truth about Twitter, Facebook and the uprisings in the Arab world’, The Guardian , February 25, p. 13.

Ellison, N 2007, ‘Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship’, Journal of Computer‐Mediated Communication , vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 210-230.

Haythornthwaite, C 2002, ‘Strong, weak, and latent ties and the impact of new media’, The Information Society , vol. 18, no. 5, pp. 385-401.

Henley, J. (2009), “The power of tweets”, The Guardian , October 31, p. 22.

Kiss, J. (2009), “Social networking sites sign teen-protection pact with EU”, The Independent , February 19, p. 17.

Philipson, A. (2013), “Woman who campaigned for Jane Austen bank note receives Twitter death threats”, Telegraph , July 28, p. 18.

Thompson, J 2013, Media and modernity: A social theory of the media, John Wiley & Sons, New York.

Waters, R, Burnett, E, Lamm, A, & Lucas, J 2009, ‘Engaging stakeholders through social networking: How nonprofit organizations are using Facebook’, Public Relations Review , vol. 35 , no. 2, pp. 102-106.

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Guest Essay

George Clooney: I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee.

By George Clooney

Mr. Clooney is an actor, director and film producer.

I’m a lifelong Democrat; I make no apologies for that. I’m proud of what my party represents and what it stands for. As part of my participation in the democratic process and in support of my chosen candidate, I have led some of the biggest fund-raisers in my party’s history. Barack Obama in 2012 . Hillary Clinton in 2016 . Joe Biden in 2020 . Last month I co-hosted the single largest fund-raiser supporting any Democratic candidate ever, for President Biden’s re-election. I say all of this only to express how much I believe in this process and how profound I think this moment is.

I love Joe Biden. As a senator. As a vice president and as president. I consider him a friend, and I believe in him. Believe in his character. Believe in his morals. In the last four years, he’s won many of the battles he’s faced.

But the one battle he cannot win is the fight against time. None of us can. It’s devastating to say it, but the Joe Biden I was with three weeks ago at the fund-raiser was not the Joe “ big F-ing deal ” Biden of 2010. He wasn’t even the Joe Biden of 2020. He was the same man we all witnessed at the debate.

Was he tired? Yes. A cold? Maybe. But our party leaders need to stop telling us that 51 million people didn’t see what we just saw. We’re all so terrified by the prospect of a second Trump term that we’ve opted to ignore every warning sign. The George Stephanopoulos interview only reinforced what we saw the week before. As Democrats, we collectively hold our breath or turn down the volume whenever we see the president, whom we respect, walk off Air Force One or walk back to a mic to answer an unscripted question.

Is it fair to point these things out? It has to be. This is about age. Nothing more. But also nothing that can be reversed. We are not going to win in November with this president. On top of that, we won’t win the House, and we’re going to lose the Senate. This isn’t only my opinion; this is the opinion of every senator and Congress member and governor who I’ve spoken with in private. Every single one, irrespective of what he or she is saying publicly.

We love to talk about how the Republican Party has ceded all power, and all of the traits that made it so formidable with Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, to a single person who seeks to hold on to the presidency, and yet most of our members of Congress are opting to wait and see if the dam breaks. But the dam has broken. We can put our heads in the sand and pray for a miracle in November, or we can speak the truth.

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Social Networking Site Essay Examples
Social Networking Site Essays. Feeling Bad on Facebook: Depression Disclosures by College Students on a Social Networking Site. Participants This study focused on college students in their sophomore and junior years and examined 200 publicly available Facebook pages. The survey focused on people whose median age was 20, which included a group ...
IELTS Essay: Social Networking Sites
1. Many today argue that social media has an overall negative impact on both the average person and society more generally. 2. I am in complete agreement with this opinion as individuals are likely to suffer from an unhealthy addiction and social media can cause fractures in society. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
Social Networking Sites Essay Examples
Introduction Advancements in technology and social networking sites have been profoundly incorporated into the lives of people. According to ScienceDirect, In the world, there are close to one billion people who use Instagram, and there are more than 500 million people who use the social media site on a daily basis (Rejeb et al., 2022). ...
The Effects of Social Networking Sites on an Individual's Life
This paper will therefore focus on the effects of social networking sites on an individual's life. This is because social networking sites have been know to have a number of effects depending on the user. For example, social networking sites can affect a students learning in a brood way. On the other hand, social networking sites can also ...
Social Networking Sites Essay
Social Networking Sites Essay is a very expected topic in any English exam as it is very relevant in contemporary times. As the times are changing so are our ways of interacting with people in general. Social media has affected every part of our lives. Due to pandemics, human to human interaction has been reduced thus the world has started ...
PDF Sample Essay: 'Social Networking' LEARNING AND ACADEMIC SKILLS RESOU
Sample Essay: 'Social Networking ... networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter enjoy hugesuccess, with Facebook - arguably the most successful of these - boasting more than 750 million users worldwide. The appeal of social networking seems to vary. Some surveys point to more pragmatic social motives such as "staying in touch with
Are Social Networking Sites Controlling Your Mind?
Social networking sites grab us because they involve self-relevant information and bear on our social status and reputation. The greater your need to belong and be popular, and the stronger your ...
Social Networking Sites: [Essay Example], 641 words
Most Known Social Networking Sites (Spencer 2017) Facebook - This is easily the biggest social networking site in the world and one of the most widely used. It was possibly the first that surpassed the landmark of 1 billion user accounts. WhatsApp - It reached on the scene much later than Facebook, but has been capable to capture the ...
Essay: Social Network Sites (SNSs)
Social network site is defined in (Ellison , 2007 ) as 'web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system' (p. 2).
SPM Sample Essay: Pros and Cons of Social Media Site
Advantages of social media sites. The first advantage is, you can communicate with people worldwide. You can make connections with people you know and people who share the same interests from all over the world. You also can keep in touch with your old friends which stay in far away. Secondly, you can catch up with the news at any time.
Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship
A History of Social Network Sites The Early Years. According to the definition above, the first recognizable social network site launched in 1997. SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their Friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the Friends lists. Each of these features existed in some form before SixDegrees, of course.
Essay on Social Networking Sites: Beneficial to Society
Online social networking can be broadly defined as any website or other type of online communication that allows people to interact with each other. Blogging, or keeping an online journal, first became popular in the late 1990's. As blogging began to appeal to more and more people, pure social networking sites appeared.
Essay on Social Networking Sites for Students in English [Easy Words]
Essay on Social Networking Sites: Social media offers user-friendly platforms to connect, interact, share happiness and remain updated with our group of friends. Children need to be supervised thoroughly by adults to ensure social networking sites' right usage. Business people connect with their clients and partners through social networking ...
How Ivy League Hopefuls Can Build Their Network This Summer
3. Maintain a Professional Online Presence. Alternatively, students can reach out to community leaders via networking sites such as LinkedIn; social media platforms like Twitter can also be ...
The application of the metacognitive model of desire thinking and
The current study aims to test the role of metacognitions about DT, DT, and craving in the relationship between Fear of Missing Out (FoMo), boredom proneness, negative emotional reactivity and Problematic Social Network Sites Use (PSNSU). A sample of 529 participants (M age = 32.45 ± 13.33; F = 62.9%) completed an online survey. The ...
George Clooney says Biden not the man he was in 2020, should drop out
Actor George Clooney, a major Hollywood fundraiser for Democrats, said on Wednesday that President Joe Biden is no longer the same person who won the White House in 2020 and said he should drop ...
Monica Lewinsky: In Praise of Alternate Endings, 10 Years After My
In many ways, my 2014 essay, "Shame and Survival," was a social experiment. Vanity Fair and its then editor, Graydon Carter, could have been lambasted for giving someone from a 15-year-old ...
Social Networking Sites Positive and Negative Contribution Essay
809 writers online. Learn More. Social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and MySpace are widely used across the world to enhance human interaction and communication (Ellison 2007). These social networking sites have emerged as reliable communication platforms for individuals, business organisations, celebrities ...
Opinion
Dr. Turban is a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Talking about gender understandably brings up a lot of feelings. We're having heated discussions around bathroom bills, gender-affirming ...
Opinion
A fiction writer challenges an A.I. chatbot to a duel. Ms. Sittenfeld is the author of the novel "Romantic Comedy" and the forthcoming story collection "Show Don't Tell."
George Clooney: I Love Joe Biden. But We Need a New Nominee
Mr. Clooney is an actor, director and film producer. I'm a lifelong Democrat; I make no apologies for that. I'm proud of what my party represents and what it stands for. As part of my ...

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IELTS Essay: Social Networking Sites

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