Social Networking

Let's start by defining the term "social networking". A social networking service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on facilitating the building of social networks or social relations among people who, for example, share interests, activities, backgrounds, or real-life connections. (From Wikipedia)

Examples of social networking sites are Facebook, Twitter, Google+,  LinkedIn and Pinterest. There are a bunch of other sites all over the world as social networking is at its peak.

What social networking does is that it groups users together and allow them to share ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual networks.

There are numerous ways that these technologies can be used. I've read that, overall, adults tend to use social networks for personal reasons more than professional ones. Indeed, people (teenagers and adults) can mostly use online social networks primarily to connect and stay in touch with friends, make plans with friends, make new friends, organize for an event, issue or cause close to their heart, flirt and such. Sites that are convenient to such motives are Facebook and Twitter.

After the personal reasons come the professional reasons that send people to network online. People but mostly organizations love to promote their personal brand. The online stage is a great tool for this marketing effort. It can be used to invite audiences to get to know a brand in a way that traditional forms of marketing or advertising can't. Digital marketing allows a company or just oneself to market a new line of products, connect to more people in the industry focus and such. Sites that are convenient to such motives are Facebook, and LinkedIn.
The article entitled "Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting" proves to us that as companies go hunting for job candidates using social networking technology, it is almost mandatory that we market ourselves online. Alfred LaSpina's story makes a perfect testimonial of this new movement.

Thus, social networking really benefit society. One can reduce loneliness and stay in touch with friends and one can successfully market itself online, you choose! (I suggest you choose both :)

However there is a dark side to it. It seems that social networking invades PRIVACY. You might already know that before hiring someone, a lot of companies look up their name on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Also, Facebook has been served several lawsuits concerning their privacy policies; in their efforts to accelerate advertising revenue, Facebook exploited their users so that when they clicked to like a product on Facebook, their names and photos were used to plug the product and further advertise on their site. Malicious activity such as fake accounts, photo tagging and fake apps are other frequent problems. In example, online bullying has sadly increased.
The article entitled "Who Cares About Facebook Privacy? Students Do" tells us how people especially students are sensitive to their privacy. It's understandable since they will be applying for internships and career jobs.

For the future, I see social networking totally taking over. There's no going back.
Businesses might want to have a fully networked environment so they better access customer profiles and preferences and grow a strong ability to deliver individualised products.
I see businesses becoming social and generating innovation, growth and jobs on an unprecedented scale.