Internet Social Networking - An Overview

In today’s world, social communication is more than talking with a friend at lunch or on the phone. Social networking using the internet has become very popular with the advent of such sites as Facebook, MySpace, Yahoo! 360°, and BlackPlanet.com.

These sites offer free access to building your own webpage where you can meet new people and to stay in touch with family and friends. You can post pictures, messages, create your own blog, and much more. Access and security levels may vary as to how you set up the parameters for logging into your page.

There has been much controversy about these sites and how they are used. Log on to the library website and click on “Find Articles.” Choose any one of the resources under the “Magazines & Journals” link and type in the search term “social networking.” Look at a few of the articles. What are they saying about social networking? What do you think are the pros and cons of this particular use of technology?