Creative Writing: Role Of The Social Network - Essay Example

Number: Creative Writing Introduction The Social Network has now become a common term in the United States and other parts of the world. This is a term particularly used to describe a broad range of services that are based on the internet. This services may vary from online participation in the exchange of ideas, creation of academic contents, and the inclusion of online communities. It is quite evident that today’s technology has significantly changed the way individuals interact with each other. Before the introduction of these technologies and the social media, people used to make frequent visits to a friend to find how they were progressing. However, with the introduction of particular social sites including Facebook and Twitter, individuals have been able to share information faster while at the comfort of their sits. Today, a person can get the information of a stranger faster through Facebook and other common sites. Also, the social network has laid a platform where individuals can share quite an irrelevant information with people they dont know. In many occasions, I have come across certain irrelevant information including the death of a pet, friends being bored at home, among others. Nevertheless, all these information is passed while individuals are in the comfort of their houses. Although the Social Medias have been known to increase or enlarge our social circle’s boundaries, they have also transformed the way we interact with other individuals. For this reason, questions have started coming up as to whether the social media has a significant effect on our social lives. This paper focuses on the new social networks introduced in the recent pasts. Additionally, it looks at the extent to which these networks have affected our social lives. Individual Experience with the Social Networks Currently, there exist a considerable number of social networks on the internet. Among the common sites include Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. These social networks have laid a foundation where people are allowed to share information, videos, and photos, organize events, and play online games ("Chapter 8. Media and Technology | Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Edition"). Besides, they also provide an alternative means that people can use to interact with their families and friends. In many occasions, I have been able to come in contact with some of my past friends who had shifted from the original locations or moved abroad. Also, some of the social networks including Twitter encompass particular pages or accounts that share valuable information concerning important events. Among the relevant information that I have encountered in these social networks include, national and international news, sports news, and entertainment among others. On the other hand, I was recently introduced to LinkedIn. This is a professional site where employers and qualified graduates can share relevant information concerning the available employment opportunities ("Chapter 8. Media and Technology | an Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Edition"). This site has been significant in reducing the time that is wasted in advertising the available opportunities or conducting the formal interviews. Additionally, social networks have proved to be reliable in carrying out advertisements or campaigning in times of elections. This is because, a majority of the individuals are now members or associated with these social networks. Besides, the existence of these sites has made it able for me to lay a proper foundation for my new business. This is because, through my business accounts, I can advertise some of my available products by uploading photos or videos. Is the Social Network Ruining Our Social Lives? Although the introduction of social networks has had a significant result in both the social and professional lives of individuals, debates continue to increase as to the extent to which these networks affect our social lives. According to Noor, Al-Deen, and John, social networks handle destroying the previous relationships that existed in the past (p.34). Currently, individuals have opted to share even the most valuable information via the internet. For this reason, meeting face to face has become obsolete and as a result, the bond that was created when people met physically does not exist anymore. On the other hand, the social network has had an impact on the way people can express themselves. Since the introduction of the social networks, individuals are not well-conversant with the proper way of handling themselves around a crowd (Noor, Al-Deen, & John 41). For instance, I have witnessed a significant number of students who fail to deliver their presentations, proposals, or speech efficiently. This is contributed by the fact that individuals have forgotten the fundamental requirements for delivering an effective speech. More often, students fail to include eye contact and dynamic body language. For these reasons, experts have laid considerable blames concerning student’s incompetence’s o on the social networks. Furthermore, Boyd in her book, Its Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens, has blamed the social network including Facebook and Instagram on the adverse effects they have had on teenagers. She claims that teenagers now prefer to be locked up in their rooms where they can chat for hours instead of going outdoors and socializing with other peers (p.54). Besides, there is growing concern on the individuals that these teenagers choose to engage. In some cases, it has been mentioned that youths have been found to socialize with people who are considered to be much older or far from their age brackets. Consequently, instead of focusing on the issues that affect them, they are drawn to topics that far beyond their grasp (Boyd 72). Moreover, during a job interview, reports of individuals failing to express themselves appropriately are on the increase. Recently, graduates have resolved to get the assistance of recruiting agencies and other social platforms such as LinkedIn where the interview can be conducted online instead by the regular panelists. Consequently, when a case presents itself whereby individuals are forced to meet face to face with the panel, they are faced with difficulties. For these reasons, many potential employers are reconsidering the use of social networks as a tool to find potential employees. On the other hand, Comstock in his article Applied Ethics in Technological World: An Examination of the Secondary Traumatic Stress and Exposure in the Social Media emphasizes on the adverse social effects of the internet (p.16). He portrays the social network as a medium that provides individuals and especially the youth of an alternative world. Additionally, most of the information spread through these sites are not factual. In various occasions, I have witnessed relationships end and friendships torn apart on the social media platforms. Among the major causes of such problems includes rumors and false information that is circulated by envious or corrupt individuals whose desire is to cause problems (Comstock 21). Therefore, despite reaping individuals of particular communication and interpersonal skills, the social network is considered to be partly responsible for causing common problems. Although the Social Media has been mentioned as the major contributor to the social rifts witnessed among individuals, it has also had significant benefits. To begin with, since the introduction of the social networks, the social boundaries of individuals have considerably increased. Currently, it is easier for a person residing in the United States to gain a friend living in a distant part of the world. Through certain sites including Facebook and Twitter, one is given the opportunity to choose from a list of individuals that one may desire to build a relationship. Although this does not present a face to face kind of communication, one can relate with diverse individuals from different sectors of the world. According to Vallor’s article, the social media has also had positive contributions to the lives of individuals (p.27). She claims that it is not rare to hear individuals who met through the social platforms are tying the knot. In fact, according to recent statistics, the social network and particularly Facebook was found to be leading in building friendships (Vallor 31). Moreover, the social network contains educative platforms where individuals can share knowledge and ideas concerning particular topics. This is found to be quite significant in building social relationships between individuals sharing the same platforms (Vallor 44). Besides, certain internet based community forums have been known to provide extensive grounds whereby individuals can communicate and seek assistance concerning certain issues affecting them. For these reasons, an individual’s social boundary expands as on continues to meet new people and share their opinions. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that new technologies and particularly the social network have become a significant part of the human life. Besides, its effect on the social lives of individuals has raised major debates. In the past, individuals used to pass information through the face to face communication. However, with the introduction of the social networks, individuals are opting to transfer the information across the internet and at the comfort of their homes. According to Noor, Al-Deen, and John, this has played an important part in destroying relationships. On the other hand, Boyd views the social media and particularly Facebook and Instagram as the major cause of declining relationships or social lives among the youths. This is because, more teenagers prefer isolating themselves and attending to the social media instead of going outdoors and socializing with their peers. Besides this condition is said to affect individuals in other parts of life including expressing oneself during job interviews and in delivering speeches. However, despite the negative attributes bestowed on the social networks, they have also been found to encompass several benefits. According to Shannon Vallor, the social networks and particularly Facebook has played a crucial part in developing new friendships and in other cases serious relationships that ends up leading to marriage. Moreover, other social platforms including community forums and online support groups have played a vital role in developing individuals’ social lives. Therefore, although the new technologies and particularly the social networks are considered to be the primary reason in the declining social lives among individuals, it is evident that they also contain essential benefits. Work Cited Boyd, Danah. Its Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens. , 2014. Print "Chapter 8. Media and Technology | Introduction to Sociology – 1st Canadian Edition." BC Open Textbooks | Open Textbooks Adapted and Created by BC Faculty. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2015. Retrieved from: http://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter8-media-and-technology/ Comstock, Casey. "Applied Ethics in the Technological World: An Examination of Secondary Traumatic Stress and Trauma Exposure in Social Media." (2010): Print. Noor, Al-Deen H. S, and John A. Hendricks. Social Media: Usage and Impact. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books, 2012. Print. Vallor, Shannon. "Flourishing on Facebook: Virtue Friendship & New Social Media." Ethics and Information Technology (0): n. pag. Print. Read More