Social Networking: The Good and The Bad

Social Networking: The Good and the Bad

Facebook status update: "Sitting here tripping off these face book killers. Facebook friends answer this question for me. Why do people claim they a woman and about money when all along they be on that fake shit... Look I'm the opposite of what you are!!! I'm all about my money. Don't run up or you'll get done up... Cause you already felt the heat. #strictlyaboutmoney." Are social networking site a valuable asset to society? Are updates and posts similar to this really important? There are positive and negative aspects of these sites. Businesses, companies, artists, and undiscovered artists use social networking as a way to expand their company, broaden their fan base, or to become the next internet sensation to accumulate some economic value. Family and friends use social networking sites as a way to keep in touch with one another. Some teenagers and even some adults use these social sites as way to slander and belittle on another, this has been known to lead to suicide, brutal and sometimes even fatal altercations. Some people tend to take social networking and every status update way too serious, it can occupy a person from the things that are most important life like bills, education, and family.

Webster's Online Dictionary defines social networking as an "online service that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people and businesses who share interests and/or activities." There are many different social networking sites throughout the world. For example, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Friendster, and Sky rock. Twitter and Facebook is the most widely used sites around the world. Facebook is known as the most valuable and popular social networking site on the market today.

Businesses, companies, artists, and undiscovered artists use social networking as way to expand their company, broaden their fan base, or to become the next internet sensation to accumulate some economic value. Most companies are on several types of social networking sites. Companies are using this free ad space as way to draw more customer into their business. Commercial appeal journalists, James Overstreet say "this growing dynamic is changing the way organizations retain, add and interact with customers."

Many companies are advertising and disturbing coupons on food, and household products to generate more revenue. Restaurants are doing the same; McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy advertise buy one meal and get the next meal free or half off. Artists advertise their up and coming cd and concert dates on different social networking sites. Some artists even develop contest to widen their fan base. For example, Nicki Minaj would hold a contest among her fans; the fans would have to answer trivia questions and/or do artwork or her. The prize would either be a meet and greet, a free cd, tickets to her concert, or maybe even a $500 shopping spree at a store she sponsors. Record labels often browse the web for the next internet sensations. For example, rap artist Soulja Boy, was discovered from a dance he created called Crank That Soulja Boy. Justin Bieber was discovered by the recording artist Usher, from home video of him singing, dancing, and playing the piano since he was just a toddler. Now Justin Bieber has made millions of dollars, he has sold out shows around the country; he has won various awards, and has a movie about his life in the making. Soulja boy and Justin Bieber is just a couple of internet sensations that has taken full advantage of the social media world.

Family and friends use social networking sites as a way to keep in touch with one another. Some people may have loved ones that live in different states and stationed in different parts of the world and would like to keep in touch with them. Social networking is an easy way to keep in touch with family and friends. Some people may even check Facebook or Twitter quicker than their phone. Several people tend to update their life every five minutes over the web so it's easy to tell how this person is doing unless their lying which people often tend to do. In all these social networking sites has lighten the load on how much people worry about distant family. After their entire just one click away.

As we all know some people are known to take social media too serious. For example, the infamous Facebook is shutting down prank. There have been countless updates and forward messages about this rumor. People tend to make big ideas about it at times. What purpose does Facebook serve to have a person going crazy about it shutting down its website? Social networking sites have created many virtual stalkers. A lot of people tend to add and confirm people they don't know. Every