Blog Social Networking

Social networking is used in the corporate scene in countless ways. Overall, it is a platform of communication with customers, employers, and employees alike. One technique in which it can be used is to voice new promotions being held or new products/services being offered. For example, if Sprint, a wireless phone service, posted information about a new phone being released or a new plan available, this would easily reach thousands, if not millions of customers. Being the first ones to know about these sorts of deals might give an incentive to act quickly before deals expire. Aside from this, social networking also provides the corporate scene with a platform of recruiting. As mentioned in the article, “Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting”, a recruiter was able to find a product marketing manager through the social networking website, LinkedIn. By having a profile available online with a personal background, and simply being available for conversation, an individual was able to have a new job come to him. In both cases, society could benefit with the potential to save money, the ability to communicate efficiently, and the chance to find a better job. One way in which social networking might evolve in the distance future might involve real life conversations or interviews using virtual reality equipment in the comfort of your home instead of typing on a keyboard. That can possibly even become a platform of working from home as well; the possibilities seem endless.

Aside from the corporate scene, social networking is most obviously used to keep in touch with friends and family; let’s not forget, meet new people. No matter where you are in the world, social networking gives you the ability to connect. However, this does bring forward a “dark side”. Privacy issues on Facebook have led to divorce, stalking, employment issues, and much more. By having personal information available to the public, this opens the opportunity of individuals using specific information against you. In one case, you can be denied a job if an employer does not believe your lifestyle is fit for the job. In another case, you may have unwanted people constantly pursuing you. This is why the privacy attitudes of 18 and 19-year-old teens have changed. According to the article “Who Cares About Facebook Privacy? Students Do”, this age group has experienced an increase in the engagement with privacy settings from 2009. This has been quite a spike from the previous “nonchalant and unconcerned” vibe of students in this age group. It is quite relieving to know that people are taking precautions and taking advantage of the options social networking platforms provide to avoid interaction with this “dark area”.