In today’s society the use of the internet for completing daily tasks is a necessity. Whether it is for sending and receiving emails for work or doing research for a school project, much of our lives revolve around the World Wide Web. That being said, it is only natural for people to use the internet as a social medium as well. Since the invention of the internet, many social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook have begun to flourish. Unfortunately, as is the same with all new forms of technology, there are bound to be some flaws and ways for the technology to be misused.
MySpace and Facebook are both common knowledge when it comes to forms of communication. People have begun to rely more on MySpace and Facebook than cell phones when it comes to quick communication with friends and family. With people nowadays being able to access the internet almost anywhere (even places such as McDonalds), it has just become easier to use online social networks to communicate between peers. One of the main advantages of using a social networking site over a cell phone is the fact that a person can communicate with virtually an unlimited number of people at the same time. Instead of being restricted to one on one conversation, friends can have conversations between each other simultaneously. MySpace and Facebook are also great ways to alert friends and family members of upcoming events such as birthdays, holidays, and outings.
On a negative note, MySpace and Facebook also give the opportunity for possibly unwanted visitors the chance to look at someone’s personal information such as their email address, phone number, and location. Also, posting things such as vacation plans can be an invitation for burglars and robbers who know that a house will be unoccupied for a set amount of time. The biggest concern when it comes to social networking sites is how easy it is for sex offenders to register on these sites and use them as gateways to finding new victims. The social networking community is very large and includes a very wide range of ages. Many of these users, who are young adults, are not always aware of the dangers that internet sites can present to them.
In my personal opinion, I think that children should not use sites such as MySpace and Facebook. I personally would not have even known to watch out for predators on the sites if my parents had not told me about them. Schools do not teach kids to watch out for offenders and the sites do not warn their users about them either. That being said, many parents are also unaware that there can be sex offenders on social networking websites. Therefore, the easiest and most sure-fire way to prevent a child from becoming the victim of an online sex offender is to avoid the websites altogether
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Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you presented the flaws of social networking, you included other possible dangers aside from the one discussed in the articles we read.
However, I do not completely agree with your stance on whether or not children should use these sites. Although it's not a bad idea to keep them off limits for children the reality is that the internet is very available to children anywhere. As you mentioned in your blog you can even log on in McDonalds, and there are places such as libraries, after-school programs and even school where children can log on, create an account and parents not even be aware of it. I think the safest way to use the internet is informing children of the dangers related with online social-networking and monitoring the site. Communication is key.
Your post brings up a good point. Children are often taught in schools and at home not to talk to strangers, but that is not carried over to online. I think maybe that should become part of a child's curriculum at school. There is no way to keep a child off these sites for sure, education is the only way these kids will learn.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, i like the fact that you looked at both sides of the issue . I agree that at this point its very difficult to stay away from using technoloy. Its become a neccesity to keep in touch with your friends and do hoework. I also agree that there should be a limit on children not to use face book, because it will drastically reduce the problem with sex offenders.
ReplyDeleteHi chris,you did realy good job,i agree that is very easy to communicate by using my space or face book.i like the example you gave about coversation about unlimited number of people.it is important because is cheapper than cell phones.
ReplyDeleteHi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI agree with your point of view on the importance of technology. It is easy to access by people online via email or instant messaging, or even chat rooms. I also do agree that children should be limited to the access of social networking. For example I do not find it correct for an 11 year old or middle schooler to be socializing with high schoolers or college students online. Social networking for minors should stay within their age groups to avoid predators. These age restricted sites could help keep children more safe.
Hi Chris,
ReplyDeleteI like the organizational style of your piece. You present both the positives and the negatives of this issue. Wrapping up with an explanation of who should be responsible for teaching children is good form.
The only thing is that when you get to the end you say that we should avoid these sites all together. I didn't see that coming. The tone of your paper suggests that the sites are okay with proper supervision.
Please be sure your tone, main point, and conclusion are cohesive so the reader is not confused.
Keep working hard!
Grade: 5
hey Chris,
ReplyDeleteI think you make a great point, but at the end of your blog u said that people shouldn't use social networking sites AT ALL. So, my question is, Which action do u think people (or parents in this case) should take?