Social networking technologies can be used in many ways. In the corporate world, for example, professional recruiters have found job candidates on MySpace and FaceBook (Langfitt, 2006). Similarly, LinkedIn has shown to be a game-changer for the workforce, as it allows employers to find qualified workers (Langfitt, 2006). In addition to aiding job searches, these technologies provide benefits to society. Namely, it helps us network with people who we might not have the chance to with in person. The readily available sharing of knowledge online can bring attention to various causes and help unite people.
However, there is also a "dark side" to social media. A NY Times article addresses the concerns over cyber-bullying and sexting, but more importantly, the way technology is affecting the "closeness properties of friendship"(Stout,2010). The fear is that so much time spent looking at a screen and not developing relationships in person will inhibit one from developing empathy, understanding emotional nuances, and reading social cues (Stout,2010).
In my opinion, social networking technologies might evolve to be a more prevalent feature in our future. People use social media as full time jobs now and have created a whole world out of it. While we use in now so frequently in various aspects, I believe it will only continue to grow.
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