Well its almost 5 am, so when better to blog? Well this post is highly influnced by many other blogs I’ve read which I should link later just the effort now is not working. but I digress. On topic!!
If you have a computer connected to the net it is likely you’re a member of one of the many large networking sites. The big 3 would be Bebo, Facebook and the granddaddy Myspace (which would make Friendster the grandmother). and the list just goes on and on from there.
These big 3 however have received huge mainstream attention over the past couple years, for the good and the bad, and I’m going to express my view on that. Keep in mind this is purely my view and not based on anything than my own bias and ignorance.
Going for the easy topic first and the one covered and feared most is the whole internet predator thing. Which in my mind doesn’t truly exist which may be a controversial thing to say, but again its my view. The anonymity of the net does allow this almost easy access at potential targets and can lead to online discussion that are inappropriate, but beyond the computer screen is the real world and the social networking site should not be held responsible for what goes on out there in this regard. Fact is if you’re meeting somone you’ve talked to online theres risks, but easy to be kept to a minimum, its when you get the group that considers it safe not only to meet someone from online but at night in a secluded area.
I will get back more onto this late but I would like to segway a wee bit if I may, that one other case is the release of personal info. Now my view again is liberal. Lets face it.. your personal details are constantly availble, just look at a phone book, schools often have lists of student names and photos which are easy access for anyone, combine the two and its not much different than what the panic seems to be about. but however so often I see people be just too reckless by posting their phone numbers in myspace bulletins, or up on their bebo pages, or what have you…. and often I don’t know these people myself, so theres no telling of how many other people that they do not know, are getting access to this information… with invitation to be contacted. Sticking my my liberal view, again I’m not scared about giving out personal info like that online but I’m not going to just dish it out to over 1000 people (based on current friend numbers on my myspace), giving it to one person atleast puts it in some sort of controlled environment.
As for feelings and fears that it prevents real world contact. Again I have to say this is on behalf of the user, but my belief…if anything, is that it potentially and quite likely expands ones real life social circle, not merely an online fantasy one. To some people I do see Myspace or whatever site they’re on become a weird popularity contest where they’re more interested in having a large number of friends, rather than actually get to know these people. Why bother? Of course this does tie into the talk above about meeting people online.
Ok…This is getting confusing so lets break it down now. A social networking site is in my mind not only great for promoting bands, movies, games, what the hell ever, for next to nothing (if not acutally nothing) but also for expanding ones social circle if they wish too. The fears of online predators and whatever are just unfound in my opinion. You’re putting yourself out there as much as you are anywhere and as long as you remain in control of what is going on the likelyhood of any negetive effects are really not that great. There’s more to this discussion and this is just the tip of the iceberg that sunk the Titanic but lets save that for another time. This has already gone on far too long. So until then why not add my network pages and harass me.
you really should have put your personal details in this post. it would make stalking you oh the more easier. but who doesnt like the challenge right?
see you in your sleep.
If you check to the right of my page there are links to my three pages under the contact subheading.. but thanks every girl ever…i mean jono
The phone book and the internet are very different. Pervy men cant gaze at your photograph for hours on end and research your hobbies interests and regular social meeting places via a set of digits in the phone book. What’s worse is it’s so much easier to stalk ANYONE with the net. You can do it without even leaving your bedroom. I think the risk factors are real but again, it’s how the person utilizes such sites which determine the amount of risk your putting one’s self at.
While they can “perve” at your pictures, if you’re presenting yourself in tht fashion they will anyway (this is not said to question how people present themselves. merely fact). While it is easier to stalk someone via the net thats just from its vast resources and lends it self to what you allow and their own knowledge as well. My point I making is that I believe the targeting thing is a myth from the net standard.. well not a myth but I dont think its easier to target than it is with out the net. The net is dangerous, but I don’t think it’s the tool of the devil people say it is.