Social Networking In Everyday Life - Research Paper Example

Social Networking In Everyday Life Introduction The use of the social media and electronic communication has been on the rise in the recent past. The social media facilitates communication among people from different parts of the world. Millions of people use the social media every day either for business or making friendships. Essentially, the social media and the electronic communication have boosted international relations since it unites people from different parts of the world. However, social networking is not only associated with positive outcomes but also some drawbacks. For instance, the increased rate of immorality and criminal activities in the world are closely linked to social networking. In essence, social networking is applauded on one side for improving the quality of life and discredited on the other side for causing social, political and economic absurdity. Positive effects of social networking The use of social media has eased the communication process. People can communicate across oceans conveniently without having to travel. Some social media facilities support sending of videos and motion pictures from one person to another. Pictures are among the basic components used to send convincing messages. In addition, pictures and videos are essential for future referencing in case the parties involved in the communications forget some content in the message. Social networking plays an important role in reducing the communication barriers. Social networks facilitate communication of one’s thoughts and opinions to a large number of audience (Sethi and Adhikari 9). Some social networks such as Facebook allow formation of groups to discuss issues of common interest. In this regard, one is exempted the burden of communicating ideas to people one on one. Formation of such groups aids in saving time and resource. In addition, decision regarding the subject of discussion is reached faster than organizing physical meetings. In essences, there are many avenues in social networking where like-minded people can meet and to discuss issues of common interest. Social networking facilitates good relations among members of the world community. For instance, through the social media, people from different countries can date and eventually marry. Additionally, people can organize for event and travel packages more conveniently through the social media than using other communication platforms. Social networking has increased the chances of business opportunities and vast spread of information (Richardson and Carroll 42). Many companies and employees use the social networks for advertising employment opportunities. In this regard, social networks users are always updated on new employment opportunities matching their skills. Some companies allow application of jobs via the social networks thereby easing the procedure for acquiring jobs. In addition, some employers use the social networks as avenues for conducting interview for job applicants. Therefore, the job applicants attend interviews without having to travel to potential employer’s premises. Social networking opens a variety of opportunities to business people. Millions of business opportunities are advertised daily on the social media. Thus, investors can make the best investment decisions and choose from a variety of the advertised opportunities. Social networking supports free advertising. Social networks, for instance, Facebook and twitter are convenient for business advertising. Many companies and organizations use the social sites to advertise their products. In this regard, the advertising costs incurred by companies and other organizations are reduced, thereby increasing the profit margins. In addition, product promotion is done free on social media. Therefore, the cost of employing sales promotion agents is reduced since much of the promotion is done through the social networks. Social networking has been very beneficial to the governments of various countries across the world. For instance, governments use the social networks to advertise tenders for public subscription. In this regard, the taxpayers’ money is saved or used for development in various sectors. Negative effects of social networking Social networking is associated with a lot of evils. The social networks do not control the spread of information across the websites. Some information posted on social media promotes immoral behaviors. The teenagers and the youths in general have been adversely affected by the information shared on social media. Some information found on the social media is not appropriate for underage children (children below 18 years.). Access of such information by underage children corrupts their morals. Research has shown that, access of unethical information by children from the social networks is the major cause of immorality. It is difficult for the parents and authorities to control and regulate the content shared on social networks. Social networking promotes laziness at homes and places of work due to addiction (IGI Global and Information Resources Management Association 801). The social media platforms such as the Facebook and twitter are very addictive to the users. Some people chat via the social networks throughout and forget the duties assigned to them. A large portion of the young people, especially those in the early 20s, have become less active in performing tasks assigned to them. Research has shown that many youths remain glued to the screens of their smartphones and computers throughout the day chatting on social media. In addition, social networking results in poor relations between parents and the children. Children develop a negative attitude towards parents especially when allowed little time for social networking. On the other hand, the parents feel disappointed with the children for not completing the duties assigned on time since the children spent more time on social media. Social networking is associated with the increased criminal rates across the world. Terrorist and other ill-willed people organize attacks via the social networks without being noticed. Actually, various terror groups communicate and coordinate attacks across the world comfortably without the fear of being tracked by security agents. Additionally, some people use fake identities and profile pictures. In this regard, the cases of kidnapping have increased to worrying levels. For instance, many girls have been reported missing and found raped, dead or left hopeless in lodgings or in abandoned vehicles. Research has showed that, such incidences happen due to some people using fake identities on social media and planning to meet their ‘fiancée’. Effects of social networking on face-to –face communication. The face to face communication is slowly being eliminated by the extreme use of social media and electronic communication. People have embraced the social media and electronic communication in conducting almost all transactions. Both the business entities and common people have turned to social networks as the channels for conveying information. The advancement in technology and introduction of affordable internet enabled communication gadgets in the market have given the face-to-face communication a big blow. With the electronic communication, people can meet online and share views without physical contact. In addition, the electronic communication facilitates holding of meetings with people from different parts of the world. In this regard, the benefits of face to face communication are not realized. Guffey and Loewy (18) argues that it is difficult for a person to be rude or ignore someone when looking to their eyes. However, with social networking, it is easy to unfriend someone or block the communication since it requires just a click of a button. Many entities prefer using the social networks and electronic communication in holding meetings in order to eliminate the transport cost and the cost for renting meeting premises. Social networking is more preferred than the face to face since it is convenient and fast, with the social media; people can communicate and organize activities while still far from each other. In essence, social media and electronic communication overcomes the barrier of distance and location of the communicating parties. The fate of face to face communication The replacement of face-to-face communication with the social media and electronic communication is unethical. Social networking has posed a challenge in developing social skills for the young people. The ethical code of conducts such as the etiquette and respect to the old people in the society is at risk of being extinct. In addition, extreme use of the social media has degraded human interaction in all life aspects. In fact, people have locked themselves in online communication and abandoned the traditional means of holding meetings. In a few decades ago, the face-to-face communication was the most common means of communicating. The face-to-face communication will always remain the best means of communication since people discuss issues at length, and the issue of meeting each other eye to eye prevents irrational decision making. Conclusion The advancement in technology and enlightenment of people through education have brought dynamism in the communication environment. People have turned on social networking in conducting daily business. Social networking has brought several developments in the communication process. People across the world can communicate and organize meetings without physical contact. Despite facilitating development in the communication sector, social networking is discredit for facilitating eruption of several evils. For instance, social networks have promoted moral decadence in the society. Face- to- face communication is slowly being replaced by social networking. Face-to –face communication is an effective communication strategy that should be protected from becoming extinct. The relevant bodies should establish structures and strategies to control and regulate the content of information shared on social media. Every person should be active in ensuring that moral values are maintained. Works cited: Sethi, Anjanee and Adhikari, Bhavana. Business Communication. New Delhi: Tata McGraw Hill, 2010. Print. Richardson, Neil; Gosnay, Ruth, and Carroll, Angela. A Quick Start Guide to Social Media Marketing: High Impact, Low-Cost Marketing That Works. London: Kogan Page, 2010. Print. Guffey, Mary E, and Loewy, Dana. Business Communication: Process and Product. Mason, OH: South-Western/Cengage Learning, 2010. Print. IGI Global and Information Resources Management Association. It Policy and Ethics: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. Hershey, Pa: IGI Global (701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Print. Read More