Social Networking

Live Social Networking v. Internet Social Networking

Is the internet taking over our social networking? It seems that people communicate more through social networking sites that through actual person-to-person communication.


Social networking has burden society for centuries. "Why did I say that?"or "Oh why didnt I think before I blurted that out" "what did he say his name was?" are usually thoughts that race through a person's mind in some social networking events. Then with the advent of the internet accessible social networking sites came the a much easier version of networking minus the possibilities of awkward silence, mumbling, or saying the wrong thing. It seems that Facebook, for example, simplifies the hassle of social networking. It allows you to keep connections alive from the comfort of your very own home, as without the call and/or extremely awkward voice message. A simple "just wanted to stop and say hi!" on a friend's Facebook page is sufficient. There is also something about typing the words out that as opposed to blurting them out, that makes you think about them a little longer. It seems that Facebook provides a much more polished and measured expression of yourself that might be lost in conversation.


The downfalls of using this as your only or main means of social networking are far more than the benefits. The ease and comfort of Facebook are sometimes the reason why it replaces some people's complete social lives. THIS IS A HUGE MISTAKE. There are certain things that you just cannot get over the internet, and overuse of this form of social networking might hinder your social skills more than help them. Some young adults update their Facebook status more than they speak to their friends or parents. This can cause major developmental defects and flaws because they become computer hermits and loose their skill in actual live conversation. in adults this can also have the same effects, by hindering further social skills and might even create a social block where they may feel incapable of handling "live" social events.






Some people use Facebook to not only maintain their current friends, but also to meet new people. Facebook has several applications in which is suggests friends according to "mutual friends" or "similar likes" or "similar networks" such as schools or universities. Personally it seems odd that I should meet someone because a computer generated program thinks that we might either get along or be friends because we have 10 friends in common. I much prefer the old-fashioned way of meeting friends, through class, parties or actually being introduced through our mutual friends. Yet Facebook has intentionally covered all those bases in thier applications, in an attempt to completely simulate the real world, and many people fall into the trap.


DONT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU! Please continue to go out, and meet friend's friends; meet your classmates in person and don't depend on Facebook to suggest those friendships to you. Much of the purpose and benefit of social networking is in the actual "social" aspect. Don't be fooled by the title of Facebook as a "social-networking website" because there is nothing social about sitting in your room in your pajamas, and typing on a friend's wall on Facebook.


GO OUT AND MEET PEOPLE!! =) I can guarantee if you go to places that play your favorite music, maintain your favorite atmosphere of people, and serve your favorite food, or attend your favorite kind of music performances you can also meet people with some of your same interests. This way you can easily bypass Facebook suggestions for friends, and find them yourself!