Boon or Bane?

Social networking has transformed our lives, culture and how society conducts itself; and changed the way we: Communicate Making of friends and enemies Depth of Relationships Structure of our lives Fundamentals of society

No formalities Add friend request Easy to find friends via friend search

function Easy to unfriend No complications

Ease of Communication MSN, Yahoo Messenger Convenient to discuss with many

persons at one time Keep in touch with friends Expansion of social circle Decimate important information very

quickly

Social capital (refers to the resources accumulated through the relationships among people) positive relationship between SNS use

and the maintenance and creation of social capital

SC linked to a variety of positive social outcomes, such as better public health, lower crime rates, and more efficient financial markets

this important resource has been declining in the U.S. for the past several years, yet increased due to the advent of SNS

SC is seen as a positive effect of interaction among participants in a social network

SC allows the SNS uuser to draw on resources from other members of the networks to which he or she belongs

access useful information, personal relationships, or the capacity to organize groups

employment connections SNS and SC heightens psychological

well-being, such as self esteem and satisfaction with life

Relatively cheap avenue for advertising Companies have a larger consumer base

Increase your number of contacts Business opportunities Find old friends

Privacy compromised Hackers may steal personal information Identity violated

Poor social skills in real life Social problems will arise Unable to express feelings or ideas Poor social cohesion

Anonymous Users Pedophiles will take advantage of the

naivety of youth Addiction

Cannot focus on daily life or priorities Time Consuming

Social capital are merely weak ties loose connections between individuals who

may provide useful information or new perspectives for one

No emotional support Dawn of utilitarian and transactional

relationships