Social networking: Good or bad for society?

Social networking: Good or bad for society? (Full Version)

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OrionTheWolf -> Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 4:58:31 PM)
My girl is writing a paper on this and I thought I would throw it out as a topic. I am undecided on it, as there are many positives and negatives to it. Without researching myself, my gut feeling is the cons outweigh the pros. Will post again after I do some of my own research.

pahunkboy -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 5:06:48 PM)
It is good. I have met dozens of local people this way- and we actively plot to make the town a better place

dcnovice -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 6:03:34 PM)
FR I think social media, like any others, are tools that can be boons or banes. I don't tweet, but I do spend (too much) time on Facebook, and it's helped me reconnect with folks from my past, which has been interesting and pleasant. When I lost my job in 2009, posting (tactfully) about it on FB yielded all manner of kind support--and a lead to my current position. Posts about a favorite historical site here in DC led to a friend's putting me in touch with the curator, which in turn led to a rewarding part-time gig as a guide there. FB really won a place in my heart when a neighbor/friend died suddenly. It helped me reach out to relatives and her other friends I'd never have known how to contact otherwise. I do worry about folks' (including me) taking social media as a substitute for face-to-face or telephonic contact. It can be dispiriting to see a group of people each looking at a cell phone rather than conversing. In my ongoing cancer journey, digital media (FB, email, even a CM thread) have eased the task of keeping loved ones up to date and brought me much welcome support. Yet I'll confess that when I had my first chemo, I found myself hungering for real voices and a bit disappointed at the lack of phone messages. I did call my parents, which helped enormously. Does this help at all? Should be an interesting paper!

OsideGirl -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 6:06:27 PM)
I love that it allows me to stay frequently in touch with people that are far away. But, I also think it has stunted us socially.

kdsub -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 6:15:48 PM)
Myself I do not see and cons in the basic idea of social networking. I do think that many do not understand how the programs work and how to safeguard confidential information and this causes many problems. People seem to forget that what they say on a freely accessed public network can affect their jobs or ability to get one. This information once out cannot be taken back and can follow them for a life time. So I guess the question should be not if social networking is good or bad but how should we protect people from themselves and their ignorance. Butch

dcnovice -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 6:24:47 PM)
quote: People seem to forget that what they say on a freely accessed public network can affect their jobs or ability to get one. This information once out cannot be taken back and can follow them for a life time. Good point, Butch! I sometimes look at my goddaughter's posts and just wince.

outlier -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 8:58:31 PM)
It turns out that NPR today did a story about social networking and which sites teens use for which purpose. Maybe it can be of some use to her or lead to some references. Here it is: Teens Find The Right Tools For their Social Media Jobs Hope it helps.

SatinWhip -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 10:29:03 PM)
Whether social networking does any real good for society or not I don't really know but I don't see any meaningful detriment that it causes. I think it's fairly benign.

jlf1961 -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/17/2013 10:46:50 PM)
Lets see, I use twitter and face book to follow various news networks or commentators primarily. Yes I have some friends and family added on face book, but I do not post every minute what I am doing, in fact I may go days without posting anything. Now considering how many seem to be dependent on social media for updates on friends, relationships, posting their every move or activity. In the train wreck thread, I posted a photoshopped pic of a woman being swallowed whole by a great white shark. She is holding her smartphone as if she is taking a picture. I asked the question, "I wonder if she is posting to facebook?" As with any technology, social media is neither good or bad, it depends on how it is used and how dependent some people are on it.

muhly22222 -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 4:44:46 AM)
FR Social media is not inherently good or bad for society. It just...is. Social media has a ton of awesome applications that do amazing things. It allows people to reconnect with people from their past, and to stay connected with people over long distances. It allows people to make plans and organize activities, especially public activities. We've seen social media used to bring about revolutions in various parts of the world, showing the explosive potential social media has for bringing people together in a common cause. But it can also be used poorly. It can be an excuse for people to disconnect, to no longer have face-to-face or telephone conversations. People can spend so much time on their social media that they lose sight of the real world, allowing everything to become about their Facebook or Twitter page. Social media makes cyber-bullying significantly easier. And yes, there are the people who put posts on their social media pages that cost them jobs or opportunities. Like any other tool, the virtues or vices of social media depend on how it is used.

Okeanos -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 4:52:32 AM)
"Good" or "bad" for society is irrelevant; it definitely appears to be something that society wants, so it is here to stay.

SilverMark -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 4:58:40 AM)
Damage neutral for the most part, for me it's been one large class reunion.

kiwisub12 -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 6:27:03 AM)
I think its a bad thing - not bad bad like serial bomber bad, but bad like twinky bad. Its full of things that will damage you in the long run - like ignoring real people to talk to someone on the phone. Or answering the phone during sex. Its not so much that once or twice these behaviours are so destructive, but in the long run they can, like mice, nibble you to death. I see people doing facebook when I am doing something like knitting or quilting or reading or gardening - so for me its a massive waste of time. And really, there is a reason most people in your past are in your past. Does reconnecting with them really enrich your life? A high school reunion every ten years or so is quite enough!

OrionTheWolf -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 7:47:05 AM)
Was just reading that some of the negative effects are a rise is narcissistic behavior and decline in social maturity. There are studies ongoing that preliminary show that it causes a worsening in attention disorders and mild forms of autism. Studies are ongoing about the effects but some interesting findings in some areas already. Yes it keeps people in contact, but those that show no detriment of it's use likely have more in person meetings with people or have had in the case of those now disabled. The removal of human contact in socializing seems to be where many of the issues revolve around. I am still reading and learning. As to the comment about "So I guess the question should be not if social networking is good or bad but how should we protect people from themselves and their ignorance." I agree but the professor for her class wants the thesis on whether social networking is good or bad for society. So a stance has to be taken and then write the paper to persuade to your view. The earliest forms of social networking were electronic bulletin board systems, which I used to be an op for several and a channel op for when we went to an IRC chat. They were great to target the people of specific interests or locality. I do not do the FB thing that much, except for friends and family. When I first started FB I added people from all over but the level of online drama that seemed to be prevalent was not to my liking so I trimmed my friends down to a modest 25. Oh, one of the other pros to it is the ability to organize over large geographical areas or get your message out around the world. There are lots of pros and cons that I see but not sure which way to lean. Thanks to all that replied and any links provided here have been given to her.

theshytype -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 9:28:57 AM)
I believe there are definitely pros and cons but the bad outweigh the good. A few years ago, I stopped in a small shop to grab some lunch. The woman behind the counter commented how nice it was that I looked her in the eyes when we spoke. She said not many did since the boom of mobile phones and Facebook. I thought that was sad but so very true. While I thinks it's great that news of a positive cause can reach more people faster, it's not worth replacing face-to-face interaction IMO. Besides, past causes did a pretty good job getting the word out without having Facebook or twitter. And knowing what people are having for dinner is not what I consider a worthy cause.

Kaliko -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 5:47:45 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: theshytype I believe there are definitely pros and cons but the bad outweigh the good. A few years ago, I stopped in a small shop to grab some lunch. The woman behind the counter commented how nice it was that I looked her in the eyes when we spoke. She said not many did since the boom of mobile phones and Facebook. I thought that was sad but so very true. While I thinks it's great that news of a positive cause can reach more people faster, it's not worth replacing face-to-face interaction IMO. Besides, past causes did a pretty good job getting the word out without having Facebook or twitter. And knowing what people are having for dinner is not what I consider a worthy cause. Yes, but what if they post a picture of their dinner? Now that's something else altogether. :) FR I love Facebook and sites like it because I have personally had very good experiences with it. I am closer with my family now that live far away. We all tend to avoid the phone in general and gave each other the obligatory phone call every few months. Now we see pictures and have debates and play games with each other. I do, though, see the danger of it as well. I'm not so concerned with being socially stunted because of it. As a single mom, having to stay home but still being able to touch base with other adults is a Godsend. (Obviously, too much of anything can be a bad thing.) But I do see the danger of the bullying that can happen on those sites and how younger people will (or won't) handle that. It's a concern of mine.

Kaliko -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 6:01:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kiwisub12 I think its a bad thing - not bad bad like serial bomber bad, but bad like twinky bad. Its full of things that will damage you in the long run - like ignoring real people to talk to someone on the phone. Or answering the phone during sex. Its not so much that once or twice these behaviours are so destructive, but in the long run they can, like mice, nibble you to death. I see people doing facebook when I am doing something like knitting or quilting or reading or gardening - so for me its a massive waste of time. And really, there is a reason most people in your past are in your past. Does reconnecting with them really enrich your life? A high school reunion every ten years or so is quite enough! It can, yes. When I and my group of friends from childhood linked up on Facebook, it was like settling into a comfortable chair. We know each others' families and pasts and we share so many memories together. We did lose touch, as happens (especially without a tool such as Facebook for us to use). But just because we lost touch doesn't mean we don't now add value to each others' lives, even through the limited interaction we have. While I certainly don't believe that Facebook should entirely take the place of enriching activities like knitting or quilting, nor should Facebook friends entirely take the place of real-life social interaction, if someone chooses to use social media sites as a supplemental connection, I think it can be quite rewarding. And, if I may add, for those times when people are Facebooking when you are knitting or quilting, they may be cooking or playing an instrument while you are posting on CollarChat. :) Obviously, too much of it isn't a good thing, but that can be said about anything. If people use it responsibly I don't believe that equates to a "massive waste of time." It's just something they're doing at that moment. And egad, who the hell answers the phone during sex? I don't even answer it during my morning coffee. Gotta go. Facebook just sent me a notification. (LOL - Really.)

kdsub -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 6:09:45 PM)
Have your girl use social media to ask for the answer to her premise. Post the paper back to social media for comments and proposed changes. That in itself would be novel and revealing on the usefulness of group social thinking and problem solving. Butch

MyWay1954 -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 6:22:06 PM)
Like most things a good idea that got bastardized by people with nefarious intent

sexyred1 -> RE: Social networking: Good or bad for society? (6/18/2013 6:29:28 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: kiwisub12 I think its a bad thing - not bad bad like serial bomber bad, but bad like twinky bad. Its full of things that will damage you in the long run - like ignoring real people to talk to someone on the phone. Or answering the phone during sex. Its not so much that once or twice these behaviours are so destructive, but in the long run they can, like mice, nibble you to death. I see people doing facebook when I am doing something like knitting or quilting or reading or gardening - so for me its a massive waste of time. And really, there is a reason most people in your past are in your past. Does reconnecting with them really enrich your life? A high school reunion every ten years or so is quite enough! I agree with you. I think it has ruined the way people connect to each other in person. Because of my job, I have to be visible on most of the social sites, but I hardly post on Facebook, I never tweet, but follow alot of people. The only networking site I think works well is LinkedIn, but that one is for business. I think we are allowing social media to replace true interpersonal communication, honesty, and it inspires laziness. It also makes people more narcissistic and obsessive and depressed because it can isolate people. Real life incident: a friend of mine went to a club after being divorced. She wanted to dance and have fun. Ok, she ended up dancing with the same man and talking with him the entire evening. She had to leave and when she asked if he wanted to get together or to take her phone number, he (who was divorced for over 7 years) said, "Sure, look up my profile on match.com". She called me hysterically not understanding this. I said, its not you, it is a symptom of a much bigger life problem. Unreal.

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