The Positive and Negative Aspects of Social Networking

Positives:

• The ability to connect with almost anyone instantly
• The ability to share information with anyone
• Individuals and companies can use the sites to promote themselves and products

Negatives:

• Site transparency can lead to a lack of privacy and security
• Site addiction
• Original content can be taken by others or by the site in some cases

How To Properly Use Social Networking Sites:

• Set privacy settings so that only those you trust can view your information and comments
• Properly promote yourself or your company by ensuring anything you post is not offensive to others
• Monitor the amount of time spent on the sites so you do not suffer at home or work

Below is a video that highlights some of the positive and negative aspects of Facebook.

Below are a list of articles that you can view to obtain more information on this topic:

Anonymous. (2010, April). Excessive use of facebook linked to low grades.  Chicago Citizen, p. 5. 

Derbyshire, J. (2010, March). No hiding place. National Review, 62(5), 55. 

Goff, K. (2009, January).  Social networking benefits validated.  The Washington Times.             

Kincaid, J. (2011, June). Facebook now has 750 million users.  TechCrunch. 

Peacock, L. (2011, May). Companies ban twitter from workplace.  The Telegraph.

Pentagon weighs social networking benefits, risks. (2009, August 8). US Fed News Service.          

Reeves, P. (2011, March). Employers: Embrace social media - it's here to stay.  Legal Week, 13(11), 17.