Social Networking

Technology is changing our planet. It affects the way we think, do things and our relationships. One of the key contributions of technology has been social networking. Social networking includes Facebook, Twitter and all other social media websites that provide us with a sense of community. These sites have become a substitute for the real-life social communities. These days kids after school plan meetings on AIM or ooVoo instead of meeting at the playground and their emotions, excitement and thoughts are expressed through these social networking websites. This is a good way to keep your friends and family updated on your life, but it shouldn't be the only way you interact with them.

Initially websites like Facebook and MySpace were a way for people to keep in contact with people who they don't get to see a lot and make new friends online, but slowly it all changed. It become a place where you add random people in the hope they become your friend, you post updates from your day, discuss important issues, and even discuss what homework is due for math class. This transition happened after the downfall of Myspace and the up rise of Twitter after which Facebook was being used as a place to vent your thoughts and feelings. An article published in the New York Times titled "Being There" states, "People point out that there’s a significant sleight-of-hand in every status update, because the real answer to “What are you doing right now?” is always just “Updating my status.” But the current friendliness of handheld devices to Facebook (and Twitter and MySpace) has made it more likely that when a pal — the Jägermeister-besotted Sean, say — writes that he’s stumbling home, he is stumbling home, right then, and simultaneously apprising his friends via his mobile." This has become the reality of our world today, and the good thing about it is- if I haven't seen Megan for a whole year, by following her on these social networking websites I'll be able to know how she is doing and provide support to her in her bad time but also be a part of her happiness by liking her joyous status.

The downside of social networking websites include an uneasiness to have relationships face-to-face. As mentioned in the article title "Antisocial Networking" published in the New York Times on April 30, 2010 by Hilary Stout, “Initial qualitative evidence is that the ease of electronic communication may be making teens less interested in face-to-face communication with their friends. More research is needed to see how widespread this phenomenon is and what it does to the emotional quality of a relationship.”  Can you imagine growing up not sending greeting cards, or having a pen friend, or being teased online by your schoolmates?  The world that this new generation is growing is completely different than what was happening in the 90's.  Relationships on social networking website might not even be the same in real life but seem to hold more importance.  If a person is dating someone and the relationship status on  your Facebook account is single, you aren't really considered to be in a relationship.  It seems like what is on these websites is almost more powerful than the word of mouth.

After looking at both the sides of social networking, the question that arises is that is it how can we make it more useful? On of the ways we can improve the life of a college student and help communication better in commuter school such as Baruch is have a Facebook page for a class.  The professor can update statuses on what he expects from the students , the syllabus, assignments and anything else he would like to discuss.  On the other hand student can ask questions or send requests to explain something that they might have not understood during lecture.  By posting these queries on the wall, it is also possible that fellow students help each other out so the professor is not burdened with a whole lot of questions.  Believe me, students will be more updated and prepared for a class if this format is followed.