Blog Social Networking
Social networking is using internet-based programs such as, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YELP, to make connections with friends, family, classmates, customers and clients. Social networking also occurs for social purposes, business purposes or both. As technology has advanced over the last past decades, social networking has expanded on a global level that has truly changed the way that we do things in the world today. These technologies have numerous benefits to society but can also have a negative impact when used improperly.
Social networking can be utilized by anyone. Since this platform is technically everywhere, it connects one part of the world to another. Nothing is ever out of reach because of this. So many opportunities are now possible. The job process has been impacted by these advances and is something that I have definitely seen as I have been trying to obtain an internship for this upcoming summer. In Frank Langfitt’s article, “Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting," Maureen Crawford-Hentz who recruits for the global lighting company, Osram Sylvania says "Social networking technology is absolutely the best thing to happen to recruiting -- ever" (Langfitt 1). This is such a profound statement because it shows how easy it has now become to look for and find a job. To my luck, it does not mean that I will get that said job though. Sites like LinkedIn have made it possible for years now to connect with professionals and see all the possible options for yourself. Indeed is now a popular website where are you upload your resume and can be contacted directly by companies if they believe you will be a great fit for them. Social networking services are also a great way to get your message out. President Obama was the first to really make use of these applications in politics to connect with his voters and to also spread his message of everyone. “Instead, by bolting together social networking applications under the banner of a movement, they created an unforeseen force to raise money, organize locally, fight smear campaigns and get out the vote…” (Carr). Today, any and every campaign uses the foundation set by President Obama with other advances in technology to get their desired outcome. These are just a few of the positives that come with social networking.
There definitely is a dark side to these technologies. I was actually really excited to do the readings for this part because the negative impact of social media is my topic for the term project. I specifically want to focus on how all of this can truly change the life of a child for the worst. Social networking is supposed to be a platform to connect others and spread positive vibes. For some kids, this is not the case. “To date, much of the concern over all this use of technology has been focused on the implications for kids’ intellectual development. Worry about the social repercussions has centered on the darker side of online interactions, like cyber-bullying or texting sexually explicit messages” (Stout). Kids and people in general are more likely to text their friend than to give them a call. This gets rid of that interpersonal connection between people and puts technology in the middle of it. This article was written in 2010 and says that it is too early to see how Facebook and other social medias have influenced kids. 8 years later, we can definitely see how this has affected the mentality of kids. My elementary school principal just recently retired, and my sister interviewed her for the school paper. She told us about how kids have cells phones in 1stgrade now. If a child has a problem with another kid in school, it doesn’t just stop there, they go home and continue the fight on their phones. Children need to be thought when enough is enough and when is the right time to tell an adult if they feel violated by someone else, no matter how. In the end, we need ask ourselves if all this negativity is truly worth it.
In the future, I see tons of growth in this industry. However, I do believe that if we don’t control and understand them, there may be more negativity than good surrounding technologies that have the ability to change the world for the better. So far, with all the research that I have completed, it seems like the negatives are outpacing the positives. I know that the future will be better once we understand these conceptual muddles and fill the policy vacuums correctly. Anything can happen for the better!
Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting by Frank Langfitt, NPR, March 16, 2008. available from http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6522523&sc=emaf
"How Obama Tapped Into Social Networks’ Power," by David Carr, The New York Times. November 10, 2008; at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/10/business/media/10carr.html
Antisocial Networking? by Hilary Stout, New York Times, May 2, 2010, p. ST1. Available at http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/02/fashion/02BEST.html
Hi Allysia!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize that, while kids play on cellphones at much younger ages nowadays, they actually own their own devices which they bring to school.. Cyber bullying was always a issue we learned about in junior high and high school and it often caused very disturbing incidents. I agree that this "dark side" of technology is perhaps more important since it concerns a child's development. Not only is it potentially hindering their intellectual development with these added pressures, but it also, as you mentioned, continues throughout the day as they take their from home to school and back.
Good job!
Hey Allysia, looking back to when I was still a kid in middle school, I completely understand the lack of interpersonal connection between two individuals. At such a young age, kids are beginning to just get used to communicating via messaging that they are beginning to lose the value of talking in person. This become such a major issue later on that hopefully, we can stop it today.
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