Social networking sites have become a part of everyday life for most tech savvy individuals in the world. In fact, many people who don’t even consider themselves tech savvy are beginning to use them. These sites are growing at an alarming rate. Every day it seems like more and more people are joining these sites. The effect on society can even be seen in language, with “friend” now being a verb as well as a noun. All this hype begs the question: What are the benefits of social media networking?”
Social networking sites have become big business. It’s no secret that the bigger social networking sites out there are making huge profits, and so are the companies that advertise through them. Some might argue that these websites are making money off of their users, and that they’re just using their members. Still, most people who belong to social networking sites don’t think they’re being taken advantage of. They see it more as a symbiotic relationship.
The creators and administrators of these websites see the benefit in terms of cash. For many of these sites, the start up cost was minimal. For the price of some server space, and a little skill, programmers were able to set up social networking sites on the cheap. Established sites aren’t cheap anymore though. Now many of the same sites started out of basements are selling for millions of dollars, and turn millions of dollars in profits annually. For many of the college age kids who start these sites, this means an early retirement.
However, they don’t just give users the ability to meet people right around the corner, but also to meet people on the other side of the world. Many of these sites have built in translators, making it so that you don’t even have to speak the same language as someone to befriend them. A person living in Massachusetts could befriend a Russian based on a commonly listed interest. Social networking sites are making the world smaller.
Social media sites don’t just introduce people to one another, they also help people who already know each other keep in touch. It’s no longer necessary to send letters out to all of your friends if you move. You can simply send out a message through a social networking site, or update your profile to reflect your new address. Friends will be notified about the change, and you won’t have to worry.
These sites can frequently also be used to organize events or activities. An event can be planned, and a message can be sent out inviting people. Those who rsvp can be added to a special list of people who will continue to receive updates about the event as the administrators post new information. These guests can also invite other guests, creating a ripple effect. The result is that a community event can draw much larger crowds with much less effort.
When the internet first became a household commodity, there were all sorts of outrageous promises that came with it. It would change the way we do things, change our very beings. In many ways, these promises were right, but the internet was such a big place, and information was so randomly dispersed, that for many it was easier just not to bother with it. Social networking sites organize all the people on the web, and help to bring to fruition all the internet’s promises.
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