Need for Social Networking Sites - Research Paper Example

Need for social networking sites The present globalised world presents humanity with myriad challenges and opportunities. Indeed, the world is becoming more interconnected as new ways of interconnections emerge. In a way most of these technological advancements realized in the present world are becoming more of necessities than luxuries. A social networking service is an online service that avails a platform which facilitates the building of social networks and relations among different people. The growth of information technology and advances realized in communication has created a kind of interconnection across the world which compels people to find ways and means of reaching others interactively. Social networking sites provide very effective opportunities for people to associate, communicate and interact in the most appropriate way. It is a way of sharing interests, connections, and real life connections. The online community across the world has been rising exponentially in the recent years as many people join the band wagon (McFedries, 63). Initially, the aspect of social networking was basically associated with young people who needed the platform to share information and interact. Most online community services are group-centered and allow the profile holders to conduct a wide range of activities online. The need for social networking sites has arisen out of the increasingly globalised world which creates the need for people to interact despite the limitations created by distance and time. In the same way, the conventional communications methods do not provide an interactive platform for association. In this regard, the need for the social networking sites gradually developed. The growth in information technology also provided a good ground for the development of these sites as people became more engaged in internet based activities. Through social networking sites, it is possible for people to reconnect with their old schoolmates and share a lot of information on the past and the present. The aspect of age is therefore greatly eliminated as a limitation in the context of interaction. Benefits of the sites While majority of the online networking sites are mostly associated with people of young ages, the sites are actually very important for an aging population. Most developed countries like Japan and Switzerland are increasingly facing the challenges of aging population. In this regard, it is important to realize that while some of these sites can indeed have very detrimental effects on the users, their proper usage can also greatly benefit the aging population. Through social networking, people are able to find opportunities for strengthening existing relationships and even finding new relationships altogether. In the context of social life, relationships are certainly very important and should be greatly encouraged in order to enhance harmony and cooperation amongst the masses. Through the opportunities availed through social networking, people are able to acquaint themselves with some of the emerging technologies and issues across the world. In the same way, the aging population can greatly increase its literacy as most of the sites provide a lot of information and news (Morris, 113). The aspect of isolation is normally a challenge for most aged people. Young people can always travel and interact with their peers on various occasions. However, most old people do not have the many of these opportunities for interaction. It is therefore on this regard that the social networking sites come in handy for the aging populations as alternatives to the conventional interaction methods. People who feel lonely and isolated can interactively engage with the online community. In addition the diversity of the online communities can enable people to have many different viewpoints on different aspects. Most social networking sites make it possible for the users to share different things like photos, songs ideas across the world quite easily (Niven). In such a case, the aging population can easily associate and interact with their relatives and friends across the globe and even share a lot of pertinent information (Novas). Products and services available In order to enhance the process of social networking, these sites are usually inundated with many services and products which are available t the users. These products and services constantly emerge out of the specific needs that constantly rise. For instance, the aspect of “real time web” allows the social network users to upload a lot of content on the sites which is then broadcast as it gets uploaded (2012). It resembles the live radio and television broadcasts. Twitter took the lead for the “real time” services in which people can actually broadcast to the whole world whatever they are doing (Sutherland, 52). In the same way Facebook provides the “Live Feed” option where the activities of the users are streamed live as they happen. The element of sharing photos has become a major service in the social networking sites as people many people upload lot of photos on these sites daily. The mage based social media site Pinterest is presently the largest social networking site in the United States. Indeed, the social networking sites are perfect grounds for businesses to promote their products and get new clients (Kirkpatrick, 48). Many multinationals and local industries are getting into social media advertising and it is indeed proving more important in comparison to the conventional modes of advertising. Value of the products It is important to realize that most of the products and services availed in the social networking sites are very valuable in most regards. Indeed, the value of interaction is very important in the present technological world. In the same way as people share information and interact effectively, social harmony and peace will always be enhanced. The social networking sites also provide the chance for people to access many products and services advertised by different organizations (Comm, 25). Indeed, there are many risks involved in the social networking sites and the users are normally encouraged to be very cautious. However, it is also important to note the many benefits that are usually realized from these sites. In terms of education, the sites are presently offering opportunities for positive advancement of knowledge in the most effective way. Many researchers have conducted a lot of studies on some of the aspects of social networking sites and their effects on the users. It has been realized that most of the relationships which begin from the social networking sites are always more likely to succeed than the conventional relationships (Morris, 113). In any case, the aspect of online dating is becoming very common in the present world as people get to interact and meet online. One important value realized from the social sites is the fact that even very busy people can have time to socially interact without the need to create extra time. The online nature of such interaction reduces the need to physically obtain such interactions. Therefore for an aging population, social networking sites provide a perfect ground for interaction and building social ties. Indeed, most of the challenges realized in an aging population can be better addressed when most people are actively involved in the social sites as a way of limiting these challenges. Limitations and barriers There are nevertheless many challenges and limitations in the use of the social networking sites. Most of these sites have been raided by malevolent users who only seek information to sabotage. In the same way, the misuse of these sites by the very users makes their importance rather challenging at times. It is also being realized that a total dependence on these sites might affect the interpersonal communication of the users. As people spend more and more time on the sites as opposed to real interaction with other people, the reduced communication might actually affect the users. Psychologically, social networking sites are seen to cause a lot of addiction to the internet which might ultimately affect the users. Researchers have established that these sites give people a false sense of connection which makes them avoid establishing real relationships (McFedries, 56). The basic idea in this regard is the fact that some people spend too much time on these sites and therefore limit the time on other important activities as well. For an aging population, a lot of time online can psychologically affect the users who will feel no need for other forms of interaction. It is therefore realized that the challenges and limitations seen in the sites creates the need for caution and a lot of knowledge on their usage. Studies are presently done on how some of these challenges and limitations can be addressed in order to make these sites more effective for the purposes of interaction. Works Cited "Benefits of Online Social Networking | ParentFurther." Home | ParentFurther. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. . Comm, Joel. Twitter power: how to dominate your market one tweet at a time. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, 2009. Print. Kirkpatrick, David. The Facebook effect: the inside story of the company that is connecting the world. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2010. Print. McFedries, Paul. Twitter: tips, tricks, and tweets. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing, Inc., 2009. Print. Morris, Tee. All a twitter: a personal and professional guide to social networking with Twitter. Indianapolis, Ind.: Que, 2010. Print. Niven, Rosie . " The role of social media in community building and development | Voluntary Sector Network | Guardian Professional ." Latest US news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | guardiannews.com | The Guardian . N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. . Novas, Caroline. "National Research Center | Social Networking Sites: Benefits, Problems, and “Facebook Depression”." National Research Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Nov. 2012. . Sutherland, Adam. Facebook. London: Wayland, 2012. Print. Read More