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The Positives of Social Networking

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Submitted By korynnehuff
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Korynne Huff
Ms. Pierce
AP English 11 – Period 2
29 November 2011
The Positives of Social Networking
Are you on Facebook? Twitter? Google Plus? According to a recent survey, Americans spend an average of 23% of Internet time on social networks (Social Networking Watch). Social networking is becoming a controversial subject: Are social networking sites good for our society? A new theory claims that the hours per day of face-to-face socializing have declined as the use of social media has increased (ProCon). Social networking sites are more beneficial to society than currently believed.
It is not unknown that increased communication strengthens any relationship. That includes online relationships also. Many Internet users admit that they are members of online communities because it allows people to reconnect with friends and family from afar (ProCon). This virtual reality also allows users to create new relationships. Match.com claims that 1 out of 5 relationships today begin online (Match). Even President Barack Obama, wanting to expand America’s relationship with the government and those involved with the White House, called “to reform our government so that it is more efficient, more transparent, and more creative” (ProCon). Meeting the President’s call, in May 2009, the White House announced that it was joining Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace (ProCon).
Online groups also provide a plus towards education. Fifty-nine percent of students with Internet access reported in a recent survey that they use social networking sites to discuss educational topics including career and college planning (ProCon). Various colleges promote themselves on Twitter and scout for potential students and athletes (University Business). Fifty percent of students claim to use sites to talk with peers about school assignments. Some parents and teachers even encourage students to utilize the Internet for educational benefit (ProCon).
However, some believe teens growing up with these sites may not be aware that the posted information is public and that deleted photos and text can still be retrieved. Also consequences from over-sharing personal information might include sexual and financial predators or lost job opportunities from employers discovering embarrassing content about an individual (ProCon). There are reasons that there are age limits on these sites: to ensure that users are mature and responsible when making decisions of what to expose to the Internet by using sound judgment (ISP). Social networking sites offer students the opportunity to create a positive self-image. The profiles give you a chance to create the image of themselves that you want people to see by putting your best qualities "out there." This shows that you care about your reputation and, to a certain extent, what people think about you—whether it’s you peers, University faculty and administrators, or future employers. (UOP)
Considering these examples, having a closed mind toward social networking would be illogical. Online communities provide a place to bring people with common interests together and allow creative expansion. Like everything else, there are cons, but with common sense and responsibility, the positives truly out-weigh the negatives.

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