Social networking has taken the online world by storm, but there are several reasons why social networking is bad. Whether you use sites such as Facebook and Twitter for personal or business reasons, sometimes it's best to use caution.
About Social Networking
Social networking online is a relatively new way for people to communicate, sell products or services, spread news, and keep in touch with friends and family, all through a website that's been set up just for this purpose. There are a variety of social networking sites all with different focuses and features. Some are public while others are private.
Some Reasons Why Social Networking is Bad
When you consider that social networking can be both fun and productive, it's difficult to imagine that there could be reasons why social networking is bad. Still, there are some aspects of this type of communication that have drawbacks.
Privacy Concerns
One of the main reasons why people avoid social networking sites is because they are afraid of a lack of privacy. Some personal information is required to be submitted when signing up for these programs, and there have been horror stories reported by users regarding phishing scams, identity theft, or other invasions of their personal information.
If you do plan on using any of these services, keep in mind that whatever you put out there is available for others to see. If you're concerned about privacy, here are some suggestions to keep yourself safe:
Never share information that you want to keep private.
Use caution when adding photographs, especially those of your children.
Approach these sites with a professional attitude, since you never know when your boss or other authority figure might come across your feeds.
Set your privacy and security settings as tightly as possible.
Only become friends with people who you actually know in real life.
Time Wasters
There's no question that playing games on Facebook or sharing in conversations on Twitter can be lots of fun, but they can also eat into your productivity. If you find yourself becoming hooked on these sites, it might be time to step back and take a break.
It's easy to use the excuse that you're using the sites for promotion and professional networking, but make sure you take a close look at the time spent on social networking and how productive you're really being.
The Anonymity of the Internet
If you've ever used an internet chat room or forum, you know that some people use the anonymity of online communications to start arguments and generally agitate others. Social networking sites also have these types of trolls, who seem to exist solely to start debates.Likewise, there are predators, thieves, and other unsavory types who adopt different personalities to lure children and other susceptible folks into their webs. Always use caution when connecting with new people, and monitor your children's use of social networking sites very carefully to avoid these social media dangers.
Abbreviations, Poor Grammar, and "Net-Speak"
The instant communication of social networking sites is very similar to that of instant messaging services. Many folks don't want to be bothered with correct spelling or grammar, and resort to the abbreviations and "net-speak" that can drive others crazy. It's best to just get used to this sort of thing if you plan on spending lots of time on these sites.For kids and teens, however, it's important to reinforce the idea that this type of writing is only acceptable in certain situations, such as texting and using instant messagers.
Be Responsible and Sensible
The best way to approach social networking is to have a bit of fun with it while making sure you stay safe. Keep a careful eye on the information you put out there, don't waste too much time, and watch for privacy changes and updates. Responsible, sensible use of social networking services can result in lots of fun, catching up with old friends, and making new business contacts.