Social Networking - Research Paper Example

? Social Networking: Ethical Issues Reviewed The topic on social networking was opted to be closely evaluated in terms of ethical issues that encompass and pervade the subject because it is a huge issue and a lot of teens, young adults and adults are members of at least one social network sites: Facebook, YouTube, and Tweeter, from among others. There is a long list of things one can delve on social networking sites; for example, keeping in touch with family and friends, being "nosey", expressing personal opinions and views, meeting people with similar interests, and also for specific and distinct reasons like documenting trips, availing of opportunities to date, and sharing photographs, music, video clips, and other endeavors. In this regard, the essay aims to find out everything there is to know about social networking and the ethical issues that relate to it. The discourse would initially trace its origin, define social networking, identify the pros and cons of being involved in these sites, and determine the ethical issues pervading social networking sites (SNSs). Finally, policy recommendation pertinent to major ethical principles seen to be applicable in social networking sites would be proffered. Social Networking: Ethical Issues Reviewed Contemporary generation has joined the bandwagon of active participants in social networking sites (SNSs) that one wonders if all users really know its origin and the intricate details that envelope its existence. For sure, today’s social network patronizers could not even imagine a world without SNSs. Just like any organizational structure, SNSs are bound by ethical standards and codes of moral conduct and discipline that participants are expected to adhere to and that SNSs themselves, are obliged to comply. The current research aims to find out everything there is to know about social networking and the ethical issues that relate to it. The discourse would initially trace its origin, define social networking, identify the pros and cons of being involved in these sites, and determine the ethical issues pervading social networking sites (SNSs). Finally, policy recommendation pertinent to major ethical principles seen to be applicable in social networking sites would be proffered. Historical Background In a study conducted by Boyd and Ellison (2007), the origin of SNS, first recognizable, was traced in 1997, through the efforts and creative design of SixDegrees.com. As averred, “SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their Friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the Friends lists” (Boyd & Ellison, 2007, par. 15). On the other hand, Davies (2010) presented an even earlier discovery of SNSs historical beginnings with a social media site reported to be created by Randy Conrad, Classmates.com, where the website’s aim was to help “helps members find, connect and keep in touch with friends and acquaintances from school life. Classmates has more than 40 million active members in the US and Canada. In early 2008, Nielson Online ranked Classmates as number 3 in unique monthly visitors among social networking sites” (Davies, 2011, par. 2). The figure below illustrates historical date lines of major SNSs as presented by Boyd and Ellison (2007, par. 19): Source: Boyd and Ellison (2007) After 2006, Davies’ timeline indicate that the newest addition to the SNSs was Google.com/buzz, which as reportedly designed “to integrate the googles web-based program, G-mail. Shared links and messages show up in the user’s inbox. Buzz focuses on integrating photos, videos and links as part of the “conversations” aspects of G-mail like conversation threading” (Davies, 2011, par. 10). Definitions of SNSs Boyd and Ellison (2007) defined SNSs 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” (Boyd & Ellison, 2007, par. 4). The Free Dictionary defines SNSs as “a Web site that provides a virtual community for people interested in a particular subject, to simply "hang out" together or to increase their circle of acquaintances” (The Free Dictionary, 2011, par. 1). While Webopedia defined the term as “the phrase used to describe any Web site that enables users to create public profiles within that Web site and form relationships with other users of the same Web site who access their profile. Social networking sites can be used to describe community-based Web sites, online discussions forums, chatrooms and other social spaces online” (Webopedia, 2011, par. 1). From the diverse sources, the common elements focus on SNSs being designed and introduced through the use of the World Wide Web applications where people are enjoined to collaborate, participate, exchange, and unite depending on interests, demographic factors, or to serve other functions and purposes deemed relevant to the users. Pros and Cons of SNSs The young generation would obviously view SNSs are purely beneficial in their ability to achieve various personal and professional goals, as well as in their ability to serve various functions and uses. The article written by Watkins (2010) emphasized SNSs ability to provide a virtual meeting place spanning time and location to serve whatever purposes the users want. The white paper published by M86 Security (2009) include benefits such as providing opportunities for business interactions, marketing and promotions, and further reverrals from friends and acquaintaces (M86 Security, 2009, p. 1). Likewise, the BCS Chartered Institute for IT (2009) explicitly stated that the benefits of SNSs is raising social consciousness where diverse stakeholders participate, including govenments and societies. Accordingly, “for governments social networking can be an agent for global change and help break down divides between nations and states and help assist globalization” (BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT, 2009, p. 1). Objectively, SNSs also have disadvantages in terms of breaches of security and privacy. As Watkins (2010) emphasized, “security is one of the topmost concerns of social networking sites that you currently use. This is mainly because the social networking sites allow you to display your personal information such as name, location, and email address. There are some people who always in search of a fake identity. If they get all the information about you on internet, they may use your identity for different type of illegal activities, which may cause you problems in future” (Watkins, 2010). This fact was validated by M86 Security (2009) that warned users of the threats of viruses and malware, privacy breach, cyberbullying and cyberstalking, data leakage, endangering brand credibility, and lost productivity due to too much time devoted to SNSs than work ( (M86 Security, 2009, p. 2). The BCS also added that “there are also unintended consequences of government behaviour including routine wholesale spying on citizens (e.g. Echelon, RIP) and the use of the Terrorism Act by local government” (BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT, 2009, p. 1). Users are therefore reminded to be vigilant and responsible in whatever information is divulged through SNSs. Ethical Issues Due to the easy access of virtually every manageable information available, using SNSs pervade ethical issues that need to be assessed and addressed. The BCS report have emphasized that “the biggest risks of social networking are the consequences of human behaviour, for example, potential employers checking up on you on Facebook to see what sort of person you are before offering you an interview. This 'unintended behaviour' can have far-reaching implications for individuals” (BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT, 2009, p. 1). Facebook, for example, through the DRI Young Lawyers, has publicized a public event to address ethical issues. As indicated, “These ethical issues include communicating with clients, third parties and the public; advertising and soliciting clients; inadvertently engaging in the unauthorized practice of law or creating attorney-client relationships; and discovery and investigation of experts and witnesses” (Facebook, 2011, par. 1). Likewise, the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics discussed ethical questions resulting from using SNSs, to wit: (1) using the utilitarian perspective, the issue on balancing the disadvantages of hacking, cyberbullying and other breaches of confidentiality versus the greater benefits of according social interaction and promotion of professional goals for the greatest number of people; (2) using the rights perspective, the ethical issue of privacy and confidentiality breached by prospective employers or spying on citizens emerge; (3) from a fairness perspective, SNSs are believed to provide opportunities consistent with the egalitarian principle where no one would really know the gender, race, ethical or cultural orientation of people participating in SNSs; (4) taking the common good perspective, SNSs are believed to encourage what Pope Paul IV described (of )the common good as “the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment” (Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, 2010, par. 4); and (5) on virtue perspective, the ability of SNSs to discern values of honesty, openness, and patience are tested and examined in the light of diverse amounts of transactions and interpersonal inputs exchanged through this medium. Recommendation and Conclusion With the information presented in the current research on the origin, definition, pros and cons, as well as the ethical issues pervading SNSs, one is led to assess if indeed the risks or disadvantages outweigh the benefits, using ethical theories, as discussed. Parallel with BCS’s contentions, “education and communication are of key importance. It's really a case of needing to mange social networks - it is near impossible to control them” (2009, p. 1). To address the identified ethical issues, the specific SNSs should provide appropriate guidelines in terms of conforming to ethical and moral standards. The terms and conditions signed between users and providers of SNSs must be clear of ethical issues, especially on rights to privacy and confidentiality and in exerting due discretion in divulging personal information to avoid untoward incidents that might happen when using SNSs. As indicated, “there needs to be more education in schools and in the home about the dangers of social networking to young people. The general awareness of the risks inherent in social networking online need to be raised and the government should take the lead with this… The state should offer a degree of regulation in the form of an ethical and legal framework that companies have to conform to. The younger generations has a looser attitude to data sharing and are possibly more likely to self-regulate themselves in the future” (BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT, 2009, p. 1). These measures and policy proposals would assist in addressing ethical issues that encompass utilitarianism by balancing the benefits for the greatest number of people against those whose rights are violated by privacy breaches and hacking, for instance. Further, through enhancing public awareness, the policy would ensure that users of SNSs would be aware, not only of the benefits, but also of the threats and risks associated with SNSs. In the process, each person’s discreteness and ability to discern the amount of information that would be shared would be evaluated and addressed with social responsibility and the welfare of mankind at heart. References BCS: The Chartered Institute for IT. (2009, September 22). The world is flat. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://www.bcs.org/content/ConWebDoc/32263 Boyd, D., & Ellison, N. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication , 13(1), article 11. Davies, L. (2011, February 11). Timeline: a history of social networking sites. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://lauramdavies.wordpress.com/2010/02/11/timeline-a-history-of-social-networking-sites/ Facebook. (2011). DRI Webcast - Social Networking Sites and the Ethical issues They Create. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=137011256312132 M86 Security. (2009, September 1). Social Networking: The Pros, the Cons and the Solution. Retrieved August 6, 2011, from http://www.m86security.com/documents/pdfs/white_papers/business/WP_SocialNetworking.pdf Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. (2010). Unavoidable Ethical Questions About Social Networking. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from Santa Clara University: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/submitted/social-networking.html The Free Dictionary. (2011). Social Networking Site. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from Farlex: http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/social+networking+site Watkins, J. (2010, March 23). Analyzing the Pros and Cons of Social Networking Sites. Retrieved August 7, 2011, from Iridium: http://trevorweir.com/SocialNetwork/268/analyzing-the-pros-and-cons-of-social-networking-sites/ Webopedia. (2011). Social Networking Site. Retrieved August 6, 2011, from Internet.com: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/social_networking_site.html Read More