The article by Ebony Wheeldon, A Social Society: The Positive Effects of Communicating through Social Networking Sites discusses the many aspects of social networking and it’s effects on the world today. This article focused on “the positive effects that interaction through social networking sites has on today’s society in relation to the modern media concept of greater interaction.” In the article it states that in this day in age we live in a “digital age” where the media is shaped by everyone and our lives consists of as much media as possible.
With websites such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace, the internet is becoming more of a prevalent tool for communication online. Social networking sites have become so prolific and had such an impact on society that the way people do things has changed. The main use of social networking sites is interaction and communicating with others through keeping in touch with existing friends, or to create new relationships, so their impact on communication is somewhat inevitable. These sites offer numerous methods in which to communicate online such as, multi-player online games, polls, chat rooms and messaging services, all of which endorse the idea of communicating and interacting with others. Customization of user profiles, such as background images and page layouts also provides a way of interaction through expression of interests. Globalization, interaction, participation and usability are encouraged through these sites; therefore they relate to the fundamental concepts of modern, digital society, which at the same time has a major effect on communication. In the article Wheeldon discusses how the significance placed on interaction and participation within these social networking sites is evident in the numerous ways in which communication is encouraged. An example of this would the ability to create message boards on MySpace and Facebook for people based on similar interests. The purpose of message boards is to share information and communicate with others.
Users also have the ability to further initiate communication through commenting and responding to status updates and statements or comments that others have posted. On sites such as YouTube, people may even give a video response. The article states that, “By allowing such feedback, there is the prospect of conversation, of debate, of sharing information or perceiving new ideas. It is this capability of interaction that makes social networking sites multi-dimensional in communicating, unlike the one-dimensionality of earlier websites and blogs. By coexisting with life offline, communicating in the digital world is therefore no more of a threat than if a person were to join communities and interact with others in the offline world.” Convergence technology is also a main point in the article. The fact that social networking sites offer an array of widgets and applications which allow users to maintain a constant connection with others, and easily connect to the site and to share their information on these sites with others. Social networking sites give people who may have been alienated in society the ability to relate to others by creating a sense of unity and belonging.
Another benefit to communicating through social networking sites is the promotion of education and news where people can share information via links, reviews and applications. Businesses also use social networks as a form of communication advertising and marketing to their consumers. Wheeldon states that, “Through online social networking, companies are better able to advertise to specific markets or discover, monitor and engage with loyal brand advocates.” In conclusion, it has been proven that with all the benefits of social networking sites in today’s society it is evident that any impact they have is due to not merely the sites themselves but “the communications layer embedded within them.” As we all know communication is a major part of our everyday lives and online communication has its major advantages to society. At the same time social networks only enhance communication but they can never interpersonal human interaction…unless you allow it to!
