Paper Example on Increased Communication: Positive and Negative in the Social Networking Era

Introduction

In the contemporary world of technology, social networking has risen rapidly in the last decades. Today, communities are dispersed unlike in the past; thus, the need for advanced methods of networking and communication. Social networking sites are online platforms, which allow users to create semi-social profiles, where they can interact with friends and people with common interests. They bridge gaps created by communication barriers, distance, and accessibility. Notably, social networking affects individuals differently either positively or negatively. Despite the fact that SNSs provide people with business opportunities, connect friends, promote empathy, and allow quick communication, they cause addiction, cyberbullying, and loss of privacy.

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Social Networking Sites and Increased Communication

Social networking sites have increased communications in the twenty-first century. The most popular sites include Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat, Twitter, and LinkedIn. They enable people with the same interests to create connections that are not possible offline. Additionally, the sites are useful for business operations, such as advertisement and product awareness. In the past, information was passed through televisions and magazines alone. However, today people can access data from any part of the world using their mobile phones and tablets. Companies can also advertise vacant job positions and display their merchandise on these sites since they are accessible to many people across the globe.

Positive Impacts of Increased Communication in the Social Networking Era

Social networking sites have made it easier to make new friends. Conventionally, people made friends based on their physical socialization, which turned out to be difficult for various individuals (Kaplan, Andreas, and Michael 62). Only those with an outgoing character were able to connect with people in social gatherings, such as parties. On the other hand, introverts and shy individuals remained dull with a small circle of friends or none at all. Notably, mobile phones helped enhance the connection to a small extent. However, the emergence of social media platforms transformed the whole idea of friendship.

Secondly, SNSs help develop empathy. Many of the social platforms such as Twitter and Facebook allow people to share their life stories, daily activities, feelings, and the difficulties of life with people who care for them. Online friends care and will probably react to such stories with various emotions (Kaplan et al. 63). Individuals receive the feedback warmly, which motivates them since they feel loved. Moreover, friends will listen to personal accounts-good or bad-and offer the necessary advice to maneuver challenges one may be facing. Notably, some friends may have undergone similar problems; therefore, they can provide solutions to aid others to make it out of traumatizing situations.

Thirdly, social media platforms enable people to keep in touch with the world. People can identify emerging trends, such as fashion, culture, and philosophical developments (Kaplan et al. 60). The phenomenon is possible since the sites allow people to connect with others who are out of their friendship circles. Additionally, the platforms allow spread of information efficiently and effectively making the world smaller regarding information and communication. Moreover, people can keep in touch with their distanced family and friends through sites such as Facebook and Myspace.

Fourthly, according to Ellison et al., Facebook has allowed people to create and enhance their relationships (Ellison, Nicole, Charles, and Cliff 1149). They state that although social media can break up many links, it has a significant impact on relationship building. Many sites connect people with common interests. The common ground is useful in creating a long-lasting relationship among people. Additionally, people going through emotional trauma after breakups may use Facebook to get new friends whom they can establish a mutual connection.

Fifthly, Ellison et al. state that Facebook allows the accumulation of social capital. "Social capital broadly refers to the resources accumulated through the relationships among people." (Ellison et al. 1145). The resources may include new relationships and information retrieved from social connections. Increased social capitals promote societal order regarding better health care and the reduction of crime rates. Therefore, Facebook serves as a channel for a community to create social capital through online interaction such as virtue friendship.

Adverse Effects Associated with Social Networking Sites

Diminishing privacy is one of the most significant disadvantages of increased online social connectivity. Most people feel safe providing their personal information to specific sites since they perceive them as safe. However, researchers have revealed various tendencies that infringe users' rights to privacy (Ybarra, Michele, and Kimberly 352). For instance, some SNSs utilize the inferred personal information algorithms to generate an individual's biodata from his or her friend lists. The information may include the level of education, location, and college attended.

Secondly, cyberbullying and sexual harassments have become rampant with advancements in technology. Unlike in the past, today, online bullying has a huge impact on individuals' self-esteem (Ybarra et al. 356). The situation is possible since the sites allow anonymity, which enables predators to attack their victims in public. The attacks cause emotional trauma to victims since they feel embarrassed in front of their peers. In some cases, cyberbullying may result in victims having suicidal thoughts, for instance, when ones private information is leaked in public.

Thirdly, addiction is also a significant problem associated with increased social networking. According to Griffiths et al., people become addicted to SNSs when they feel a strong urge to maintain their online social connectivity; thus, they use social sites excessively (Griffiths, Kuss, and Zsolt 121). He also claims that when social networking dominates and becomes the most significant element of an individual's life, he or she becomes addicted. Addiction has adverse effects on people since it may lead to laziness, withdrawal symptoms, or interfere with other daily activities. Moreover, it reduces physical interactions within a community, which may lead to alienation of cultures.

Fourthly, increased online engagement leads to the fear of missing out phenomenon (FOMO). FOMO is a form of anxiety and depression that individuals feel when they miss out some activities or experiences that their friends are getting (Ybarra 353). Typically, people only post their happy times while other exaggerates their fun activities. The situation creates a form of fear to others who lack positive experiences and may cause self-pity and low self-esteem.

Conclusion

Social networking sites have improved societal communication. However, their impact possesses both positive and negative influences on users. Some may claim that the sites have adverse effects on their character, such as addiction, while others perceive them as useful in business and relationship enhancement. It is incumbent on the users to monitor their online activities to eliminate negative tendencies associated with excessive use of social networking sites.

Works Cited

Ellison, Nicole B., Charles, Steinfield., and Cliff, Lampe. "The Benefits of Facebook "Friends:" Social Capital and College Students' Use of Online Social Network Sites." Journal of ComputerMediated Communication 12.4 (2007): 1143-1168.

Griffiths, Mark D., Daria J. Kuss, and Zsolt Demetrovics. "Social Networking Addiction: An Overview ofPreliminary Findings." Behavioral Addictions. 2014. 119-141.

Kaplan, Andreas M., and Michael, Haenlein. "Users of the World, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media." Business Horizons 53.1 (2010): 59-68.

Ybarra, Michele L., and Kimberly J. Mitchell. "How Risky are Social Networking Sites? A Comparison of Places Online where Youth Sexual Solicitation and Harassment Occurs." Pediatrics121.2 (2008): 350-357.