What is a Social Networking Site?
A social networking site is a website where individuals can set up an online profile, describing his/her interests, and add links to other profiles. Generally, users are able to post personal information, including photographs, videos, and blog entries. One such site, MySpace, has been extremely popular both with individuals and with music groups, who can post their songs on their profile pages and advertise their tour dates. Many bands will attempt to solicit as many "friends" as possible on these sites, so that more people will be aware of their music.
Sites for social networking are popular with people all over the world, particularly teenagers and people in their 20s. Because it is so popular with teenagers, some people are concerned that teenagers and kids who post personal information on these sites are at risk of being solicited by pedophiles. As a result, some sites have taken precautions to monitor the information provided by underage patrons; however, there is no way to enforce proof of age or identity, so this issue is currently unresolved.
Social networking sites can be a great way to stay in touch with a large group of people. If you have news you'd like to share with everyone you know, you can simply post it on your own personal bulletin board, and it will be distributed to everyone on your friends list. These sites can also be helpful for connecting with new people, whether on a business, friendship, or a romantic level.
On some social networking sites, you can only make a connection with someone who is already linked to people that you have claimed as friends. On others, it is possible to contact anyone you like. However, some people claim to make their profiles private, and available only to people they select as their friends. This can be a wise decision, particularly if you have information available on a site that you would not want the general public, such as a family member or an employer, to see.
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![Social networking sites are viewed online.]()
By: AntonioguillemSocial networking sites are viewed online. -
![Mobile devices are commonly used to check updates on social networking sites.]()
By: Robert KneschkeMobile devices are commonly used to check updates on social networking sites. -
![Popular social networking sites are often used to solicit relationships.]()
By: Jacek ChabraszewskiPopular social networking sites are often used to solicit relationships. -
![Social networking can help you keep in touch with others, as well as avoid others with whom you are no longer friends.]()
By: Joakim JardenbergSocial networking can help you keep in touch with others, as well as avoid others with whom you are no longer friends. -
![Social networking sites might help people connect with others who share similar interests.]()
By: imtmphotoSocial networking sites might help people connect with others who share similar interests. -
![People use social networking sites to post fitness goals and generate additional motivation.]()
By: MaridavPeople use social networking sites to post fitness goals and generate additional motivation. -
![Social networking can be a platform to share amusing videos and pictures.]()
By: Andres RodriguezSocial networking can be a platform to share amusing videos and pictures. -
![Social networking might be used to find new friends with similar interests.]()
By: Sandor KacsoSocial networking might be used to find new friends with similar interests. -
![People who meet on a social networking site might become friends offline.]()
By: dmitrimarutaPeople who meet on a social networking site might become friends offline. -
![People might use a social networking site to organize different social events.]()
By: shotsstudioPeople might use a social networking site to organize different social events. -
![Some social networking sites are geared toward people looking to make romantic connections.]()
By: stryjekSome social networking sites are geared toward people looking to make romantic connections.
Discussion Comments
Social networks are a blessing if one uses them for the right things, but they can be a curse if an individual uses them for the wrong things.
I don't like social networking sites. They're impersonal and people share too much about their private life I would rather not know about.
I'm not too great with technology, so I didn't think about joining until recently. I just made a couple of profiles last week and added all my contacts. So far, I'm loving it. I feel like I don't even need to call or email anyone anymore because they're all online.
Many people have gotten sacked from their job or simply not hired in the past couple of years due to the information they shared on a social networking site. Employers are now looking at people's social networking profiles to get to know them more. So it's a good idea to keep things clean and respectful on these sites. You never know who might be looking.
Social networking sites become a part of user's life in every country. I think in some years people will forget how to get acquainted with a girl without sites like Facebook or Twitter. But it's a good way to have useful contacts. As for me, it helped me to find good info for my research paper two years ago, because the libraries didn't have enough materials, especially in IT.
Indeed, social networking websites are gate way to get connected with people and friends.
@Anon114085: I just checked out the site and it looks like it could be a great new social networking site. I wouldn't change it to find a niche, instead I would keep it like it is and try to get the word out.
Social networking seems to be the best and powerful tool in communicating with individuals, for it reaches those who are in faraway places, linking people.
I am currently conducting a research on the "effects of social networking among students," and any help, suggestions and guidance would be of great help to me and an honor to the successful pursuit of my research study.
--zector
I am trying to get a new social networking site called abuzzling off the ground and it's been slow going. Perhaps it's best to find a niche.
You know there is a company that can set up your own social network platform. Elgg is a type of search engine that offers to set up social network platform.
The site is free to download. It gives you direction on how to set up the site on your own, but it also provides information on partners of the site that might be able to set up the site for you.
Social networking web sites are great way for people to reconnect with old friends. Many people talk about finding friends that they haven't seen in years.
But like with anything on the Internet, you have to be careful. Although this is a friendly site you should never post any personal information like your address or phone number or any other information were person can track you down.
Many top social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace now offer additional security to protect its members. But it is still a safe precaution to keep personal information off the Internet.
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