Social networking - Essay Example

Social networking today has developed into among the most used and appreciated means of communication with many individuals all over the world relying on it in their daily lives. While this has been the case, there has arisen a debate concerning whether or not this trend has become detrimental to the development of human relationships. According to Gabler, the fact that Facebook exists, and that people make friends on this social networking site, does not mean that they make real friends. Indeed, because of the development of virtual friendships between individuals who are not in any way related has created a situation where there is no interpersonal relationships that have traditionally defined friendship.

In arguing his case, Gabler goes as far as stating that Facebook offers what he terms as ‘friendship lite’ where individuals who claim to be friends do not have any personal relationships or any shared history that they can look back upon. There has developed a tendency among many individuals to want to become famous through social networking. This has been through their having more friends on these social networking sites than others, making having these friends a sort of popularity contest.

The need to be popular within social networks has come to be termed as being pathetic because of the belief that individuals have ceased living a real life and have instead gone virtual. The fact that these individuals have chosen to live a virtual life has been detrimental not only for their own social development, but for individuals who have their own families, it has had an adverse effect on their children as well (Daly 480). Because of a lack of any physical contact between those individuals who consider themselves to be ‘friends’, it can be argued, these persons have become more like machines than human beings.

It can further be argued that many of those people who are deeply involved in social networking tend to be addicted to it, and it is such a strong addiction that some even lose adequate sleep because of their continuous communication. The feeling of being out of place due to a lack of indulgence in social networking means that these individuals are suffering from withdrawal. Social networking, it can be argued, is like a drug, which if not taken frequently or at regular intervals, creates a situation where the individual using it ends up suffering.

It has been found that those individuals who are denied access to Facebook for a certain period often display symptoms similar to those of drug addicts. These symptoms may include highly irrational behaviour as well as anxiety; meaning that social networking is causing more harm than good (Rabinovich and Robinson 110). While this has been the case, there are some who argue that since the inception of such social networks as Facebook, their social lives have greatly improved. Those individuals who previously tended to be reclusive have, through their involvement in social networking, become more adept in their social lives.

They have not only gained friends, but have also been provided with a platform upon which they are able to express themselves, hence a means of coming out of their shells. In addition, it can be argued that social networks have enabled the interaction of individuals all over the world at a cross-cultural level, hence being a force behind cultural understanding; indirectly leading to world peace. Friendship, it can be argued, has come to lose its original meaning, so that while it previously meant a relationship between individuals who knew each other well, because of sites such as Facebook, it has taken on an absolutely new meaning.

Friendship no longer means close interpersonal relationships because of the fact that there has developed a kind of friendship which can be termed as distant and impersonal (Weaver 25). Friendships are currently being developed on Facebook for purposes of prestige as well as for entertainment. The latter has come to take the place of relationships that were based on a mutual liking for each other, making it extremely difficult for individuals to have the same closeness that one would expect in a real relationship.

Social networks have become the main source of entertainment as well as friendship, and families and friendships have lost the closeness that they previously enjoyed. This has created a situation where close families and friendships have been relegated to the past and in reality, they can only be seen on television. In conclusion, it can be stated that social networking has brought with it a lot of good as well as some disadvantages. As time has gone by, it has been seen that the latter have become more prominent as individuals have come to be affected in negative ways.

It has therefore become imperative that individuals take steps to reduce their dependence on social networks such as Facebook, because this is the only means through which the traditional human society can be saved. Works Cited Daly, Ian. “Virtual Popularity Isn't Cool- It's Pathetic.” Highbeam Business May 1, 2008. Rabinovich, Irene, and Francine Robinson. "Academic "Friendship": Gender Considerations Of Students/Faculty Relationships On Facebook." International Journal of Arts & Sciences 4.27 (2011): 107-26.

Weaver, Anne. "Facebook and Other Pandora's Boxes." Access 24.4 (2010): 24-32.