Social Network All over the World - Essay Example

Affiliation Social Network Social network is an exemplification of interactions between persons ororganizations. The social network viewpoint offers a set of approaches for evaluating the structure of the entire social bodies as well as a range of concepts clarifying the patterns perceived in these structures. On the other hand, the act of increasing the number of one’s social or business associates by making contacts through persons is called social networking. Whereas social networking has existed for practically as long as the societies themselves have existed, the incomparable prospective of the internet to uphold such relations is only now being fully acknowledged and exploited. It has been made possible through web-based groups recognized for that purpose. And although its enhancement has brought about many positive results and has brought ease in the ways that people interact, it has, with almost equal measure, brought about setbacks. Additionally, social networking has revolutionized ways in which information is spread out, making its relationship with people an issue that every individual ought to look out for, since it is here to stay. Ongoing findings have, therefore, proven its influences on the larger population which begs the question, whether it is actually impacting our lifestyles in a positive way or is it just a negative platform for the society. A few decades ago, the way in which people connected was quite tedious and time consuming too since one had to travel or use landlines to pass information. TVs were restricted too and didn’t quite have a platform in which their viewers could directly express their views regarding their programs or any other issues. However, that has tremendously changed in a recent past with the introduction of social sites like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Orkut and MSN, which are currently the most used social networking sites. These sites offer platforms in which people can freely state their views regarding particular issues, communicate one with another, watch live shows or videos among others. In addition, the fact that there are no restrictions for using them, in terms of age, gender, race or location, everyone is legible to use as long as one has an internet supply and has an account with them. In general website based social networking services has made it possible to associate individuals who have common interests and activities across economic, political, and geographic rims (Cha; Jianzhong, p.891). An in-depth research about social network influences on our economy reveals that it has steered individuals into thinking of beginning their own social media businesses and/or organizations. Instead of thinking of other occupational methods, people are now considering to unveil devoted social media websites and administrations. Research shows there has been a rise in the number of startups in the social media consulting business, which has offered a vast rate of employment, especially in the private sector. It is, therefore, true in that there are many virtual jobs opportunities, where we find employers and employees perform their duties without necessarily having to stick to the traditional offices. Also, these social sites require individuals to oversee their performance as well as regulate them. And since most businesses have at least a website or a social account, they employ people who do it on their behalf. In turn, individuals have therefore, began looking for social jobs since the social media has developed its stand from the bottom to top. Initially, social networking sites were only accessed by individuals mostly for personal communication and chatting purposes. Consequently, all that has changed with time, and now they are being used for profitable reasons like entrepreneurship. The world’s economic growth has, hence, improved as a result of these increased employment opportunities (Cha; Jianzhong, p.891). Its effects are as well evident in the political world. Politically, there are studies that have been carried out which reveals that social media has an assessable, if restricted, effect on voter numbers. Depending on people’s like-mindedness and views, it is more likely that these individuals will influence each other into voting for a specific candidate. The social media usage is turning up to be an element of civic and political involvement for many. For example, in America, over 50% of them use either social networking platforms like Twitter or Facebook. Some of them engage in blog discussions to display their take on political or civic issues or respond to other user’s postings. The individuals also press their friends to respond and act on those issues; become members to groups formed on those sites, like, the posts, link to others or follow candidates. In Egypt, the successful overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak is seen to have been majorly facilitated by the use of social networks. And although the country turned off its internet so as to control these networks, they played a big role in taking him down. Indeed, people conversed and information was fast passed by the use of these sites than any other means, otherwise, the former president could still be governing them. However, from the president’s point of view, he would perceive social networking in a negative way, which somehow represents some of the effects brought about by it (Seib; Philip, p.89). Our lifestyles have also been largely influenced by it in more than a few ways. Social networking has tremendously changed the way we, live in that, people no longer have to meet with others physically in order to socialize. Some of its advantages include; the ease of getting in touch with friend and also individuals can form a community that addresses their issues or connects for fun or simple socialization. In addition, there are those sites that bring together individuals who are searching for romantic relationships. On the other hand, some of its disadvantages include; it can be quite unsafe especially since they involve a lot of sharing of private information, which can lead to abuse. They can be addictive and consequently result to withdrawal of an individual from actual contact with real people. In conclusion, social networking is very essential in the current world that we are living in. Without it, there are many things that we could be missing out on. And although it has been there from the ancient time, its gradual yet steady evolution has seen to it that newer and better ways are introduced. It in turn has led to revolutionized way of living and lives are becoming much effective and easier by the day. As a society and a world in general, it would be of greater importance if we embraced the changes that are being brought forward by social networking, since it is here to stay. All we can look forward to is its advancement, which is sure to bring with it better and greater opportunities to everyone. However, in the same measure in which we embrace it, we should apply the same or even greater to address the negative effects which come with it. There should be set aside platforms designed to deal with every negative effect that social networking introduces, so as to safeguard our culture and well-being, thus ensuring a safe world for everyone. Work Cited: Cha, Jianzhong. Moving Integrated Product Development to Service Clouds in the Global Economy: Proceedings of the 21st Ispe Inc. International Conference on Concurrent Engineering, September 8-11, 2014. , 2014. Internet resource. Seib, Philip M. Real-time Diplomacy: Politics and Power in the Social Media Era. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012. Print. Read More