Social Networking

Social Networking has definitely become a hit in our generation. Majority of individuals in your class, at work, on the streets, at a bar all have a Facebook page, a twitter account, or can be found on other networking sites. Every couple of years, Social Networking seems to change and become more part of our daily lives. These sites have become addictions. Unfortunately we are the addicts. I can easy say this from a personal experience – studying has definitely become an issue.

An article written by Doug Gross, “Dictionary Work of the Year” gives a clear understanding of how major Facebook has become and how big of an impact it has on our lives. Oxford defines "unfriend," a verb, thusly: "To remove someone as a 'friend' on a social networking site such as Facebook." as mentioned in the article. The article points out how For the past few years, Oxford and other dictionaries pick up words that have leaned heavily on the digital world and in the new media. I can agree with the article in the aspect of Facebook being inevitably huge, so big it influences everyone and everything (including a dictionary). It connects individuals to their families, friends, businesses, hobbies, interests and more.

On the contrary, a major con of these sites is what I call “artificial communication”. It used to be that individuals would speak to each other over the phone, in person or even through email. Now-a-days communicating is completely different according to article “Antisocial Networking?” by Hilary Stout. The article mentions that even chatting on cellphones or via e-mail which considers typing of full sentences or even paragraphs is “passé.” Relationships have clearly changed due to these influences and so has the development of our generation. Whether it is a pro or con can be up for debate but the idea that it is different is factual.