Social Networking Sites

 

In my opinion, social networking sites, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, facilitate the sharing of information on topics with infinite scope and ultimate freedom of expression. My primary issue with social networking sites is related to the sharing of personal information with a community of friends who may or may not exercise good judgment in disseminating my information to individuals who may in turn use my information maliciously or criminally. At first, my Facebook account served as an entertainment option, now the party is over but the guests just cannot figure it out. Accepting friend requests can be satisfying but unfriending can result in unpredictable circumstances. I am convinced that a significant number of people using social networking sites have the need to seek validation of their existence on planet earth. Some postings reveal the most uninteresting aspects of my friends’ lives and I am often embarrassed by their need to publish their journal-like entries on a social networking site.

 On the other hand, social networking sites can be a viable mechanism for businesses.

For example, Nike modified its business model with the addition of social networking strategies focused on brand image and the goal to reach the ninety-eight percent of 18-24 year olds who spend a significant amount of time in online communities. Additionally, that change resulted in the movement of considerable advertising dollars from old media to social networking media. Nike’s advertising on social networking sites targeted Nike’s core shoe buying customers, 18-24 year olds, who outspend the adult market segment by more than twenty percent. It is evident that social networking media can be the mechanism to reach global internet consumers with minimum difficulty.