Pros and Cons

The pros of social networking websites are that they provide for socializtion, education, and a creativity outlet.  They provide a place for people to meet based on similiar interests and to socialize with out the fressure of face to face conversation.  It is easier to maintain friendships with people who move or live far away.  It also helps to improve technological skills which is a very important skill for people to have in this generation

The cons largely outwiegh the pros though.  There are many dangers on social networking websites.  There are the dangers of social predators that lurk all over these sites.  It exposes children to sexual solicitation and pornography.  Predators can use the anonymity that the internet easily provides.  Cyberbullying is on the rise because of social networking websites.  Kids post pictures of themselves smoking, underage drinking, and holding firearms.  Kids also post too much personal information making it easy for there to be identity theft.  Employers and college admissions are searching prospective students and workers websites to see if they would want them to work for them or go to school at their school.  The websites are also replacing real world friendships and make kids more socially awkward in person. 

Social Networking Websites Overview

Social networking websites are a part of everyday life in this generation, but they are very controversial because many people feel that the websites are dangerous for kids.  Social networking websites can be dangerous because they expose kids to child predators.  Child predators lurk all over the internet because the internet gives them anonymity and predators can pretend they are someone else.  Predators can pose as teens making it easier for them to reach kids and make kids more willing to talk to them.  Another problem with social networking websites anonymity is the problem of cyberbullying.  Sites such as formspring, which is a site that you can ask people anonymous questions, cause problems because kids tend to ask and say cruel things.  Bullying usually was just in school and home was a safe place for kids to get away from the bullying but now with social networking websites bullying reaches home making kids prone to bullying at any time.  Cyberbullying is very damaging since there is many ways to cyberbully with all the technology.  Kids can say horrible things to each other either anonymously or not, they can also say it to other kids so that the kid being bullied and others can see it as well.  Cyberbullies can make information public that a kid may want to keep private and they can also post nasty photos, comments, and videos.  The social websites also start replacing friendships.  People stay connected online but kids are getting more uncomfortable with face to face talking.  Now kids get past beginning small talk by talking on the websites so when they meet in person they are more comfortable.  the problem though is that kids no longer feel comfortable expressing themselves face to face they would rather talk through a computer.  Kids also tend to put up too much personal information such as were they live and their phone numbers which can lead to identity theft.  Identity theft is on the rise from social networking websites because the information people put on their page though they may not realize makes it extremely easy for thefts to figure out other information.  Another similiar problem is the pictures, videos, and comments kids post.  Kids post pictures of themselves smoking, underage drinking, and holding fire arms which can lead to many consquences.  Kids can post comments referring to drugs, sex, and alchohol or post videos of themselves doing illegal things which if seen by anyone can be reported.  Proffessions, employees, employers, and college admissions are using social networking websites to research people.  Professions such as teaching is being affected by these websites because they can find teachers doing innapropriate things such as reaching out to students inappropriately or having comments and pictures that are not appropriate leading to some teachers losing their jobs.  Employers look at possible employees social networking websites to see if they would want them working in their company and college admissions do the same thing for prospective students.  Social networking websites are dangerous for kids in many ways and though its hard for kids to avoid the websites all together they must be careful about what they post on their social networking websites.