Throughout the past few decades, the development of the Internet has changed the way individuals live. Social networking sites (SNS) have steadily been growing and are now becoming a fixture in contemporary society. In the United States alone, over 50 million Internet users have MySpace accounts and just over another 20 million have Facebook accounts. The use of social networking sites has grown globally, not just in the United States and as a result, MySpace and Facebook both have been developing their websites in multiple languages. Europe has about 20 million Facebook users. South America and the Middle East each have about 6 million Facebook users. Asia and Africa aren’t too far behind. All these numbers are on a constant rise as Facebook acquires 200,000 new users each day. Sites such as Facebook and MySpace are continually growing and are in popular demand. While exploring these sites, and looking at the impact they have on individuals, it is important to think about why they are exponentially growing in use, as well as potential benefits and/or dangers these sites may bring to users. (references to here, here, and here)
Social networking sites first came into existence in the mid 90s. They were first created so users were able to get in contact with old friends as well as have the accessibility to meet others with similar interests as themselves. Today, SNS are much more advanced. These sites allow users to write personalized messages to other users either privately or publicly. Furthermore, the user can set up his/her own page with personal information such as hobbies, interests, favorite movies, etc., as well as including photos and videos of themselves. To reach other individuals with similar hobbies and interests, applications and groups are available to join. SNS keep adding to their sites, making them more advanced everyday. They are fun to use and have become a fad for young adults. Best of all, they are free for use.
Originally, Facebook was designed for only college students. The majority of its users are now between the ages of 14 and 26, as the site has expanded its target audience to increase total users. Facebook is the “in” thing in today’s society. Fitting in and being seen as “cool” often requires people to create a Facebook account. MySpace however, seems to be more popular with those individuals often seen as “rebels.” One way or another, most, if not all, young adults have SNS accounts.
These types of websites are popular not only exclusively with younger generations. Businessmen and employers are also often seen as users of these sites. Employers use these social networking sites to recruit recently graduated students to work for them. To be a credible candidate, Facebook/MySpace users seeking jobs, school admissions, and other employment opportunities, usually edit their publicly seen profiles as a way to censor pictures, videos, and/or any information that may not be deemed as acceptable to an employer. (References to here)
Businesses use SNS to make money, as they are a great source of revenue. SNS are free to use, so how can a profit be made? The answer is advertisements and marketing. Everyday, millions of people will see advertisements and therefore will be more inclined to recognize a company’s name or product due to frequent use of the site and targeting of the advertisement’s product/service.
“These networking sites have come up with a targeted ad solution where the advertiser reaches people going by the user profiles and interests. This is what makes social networking sites a haven for advertisers too. If you have a product on “music” you wish to promote, all you need to do is to join one of these social networking sites and promote it to music lovers. Imagine the number of targeted visitors to your website.”
These websites have immense value because of their popularity worldwide and the immense number of individuals they reach daily. AOL just bought Bebo, a social networking site second only to MySpace and Facebook, for $856 million. However, with the popularity and success of the social networking sites, a question arises. Are they safe to use? (refer to here)
Sexual predators have been an issue with the Internet since instant messages and chat rooms first emerged. This problem has not vanished and has certainly remained a problem as social networking sites allow these harmful individuals to have many people to target at their disposal. MySpace and Facebook have faced heavy criticism from the public about protecting its users from these pedophiles. There have been multiple reports of older men contacting under-aged girls to meet up. However, social networking sites have taken extensive measures to prevent this. Facebook and MySpace each have a database of convicted sex-offenders and have deleted these people from their websites. Additionally, Facebook has prohibited any person above the age of 18 to view an under-aged user’s profile. (References to here, here, and here)
Through studies, it has been discovered that potential predators still use chat rooms and instant messages to contact targets rather than SNS. Less than a third of the solicitations came through social networking sites. Another study showed that 79% of the time when children were contacted by a predator, they were upfront about their age and their intentions. The government passed the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) two years ago to add more security from online predators. This act bans the use of social networking sites in schools and libraries. With all of these measures taken to prevent predators from contacting adolescents, the only place where they can be contacted is on their own computers. (Refer to here and here)
Online predators aren’t the only danger to SNS users. The exposure of their information seems to be a monumental problem too. Users generally have complete control over who gets to see their profiles. However, sometimes this control is taken away. In 2007, Facebook launched Beacon, which is part of Facebook’s advertisement system. Beacon sends data from external websites to Facebook, in order to track websites that individuals go to and products that are purchased. This information is then organized and used to learn about the user. Initially, Facebook users could not turn this feature off, and as a result they protested. After some time, Facebook allowed users to be able to control this information from being released. It is thought however, that Facebook is still receiving this information. (Refer to here and here)
It is also believed that Facebook has ties with the CIA and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). The IAO (Information Awareness Office) was established by DARPA with the sole purpose to
“gather as much information as possible about everyone, in a centralized location, for easy perusal by the United States Government, including (though not limited to) internet activity, credit card purchase histories, airline ticket purchases, car rentals, medical records, educational transcripts, driver’s licenses, utility bills, tax returns, and any other available data.”
(Refer to here)
The IAO was shut down after a massive congressional investigation. Many believe IAO has come back with Facebook as its mask. Facebook received $13.2 million in funding indirectly from the CIA. They received these funds from companies set up by the CIA. “Parts of the IAO’s technology round-up included ‘human network analysis and behavior model building engines’, which Facebook’s massive volume of neatly-targeted data gathering allows for.” Facebook’s Terms of use states:
“by posting Member Content to any part of the Web site, you automatically grant, and you represent and warrant that you have the right to grant, to facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license to use, copy, perform, display, reformat, translate, excerpt and distribute such information and content and to prepare derivative works of, or incorporate into other works, such information and content, and to grant and authorize sublicenses of the foregoing.”
(Refer to here)
Additionally, Facebook’s privacy policy states:
“Facebook may also collect information about you from other sources, such as newspapers, blogs, instant messaging services, and other users of the Facebook service through the operation of the service (eg. photo tags) in order to provide you with more useful information and a more personalized experience. By using Facebook, you are consenting to have your personal data transferred to and processed in the United States.”
(Refer to here)
Facebook’s ability to share an individual’s information is a scary and detrimental characteristic of the site. The following video explains how Facebook shares this information and how it is legal to acquire. Click here to view the video.
Social networking sites have their benefits as well as their insecurities. These sites are great for meeting people with similar interests as well as for keeping in touch with old friends. Using a SNS is a good source for recruiting college graduates for work and is a great place to advertise. There is a lot of money to be made off of social networking sites; however, users must always use caution. Users must be aware of the information these sites have access to. Throughout time, the Internet has proven to be an excellent communication source, breaking geographic, as well as time constraints. Global products can be purchased, employment positions can be filled, and worldwide friendships can be made. The use of the Internet, and certainly SNS has proven to join our global communities as one. Future technologies will unquestionably improve these connections, however, one must always beware of the potential threats.
WORKS CITED
“Conspiracy Theories: MySpace, Facebook, Amazon” by Richard MacMaus
http://blogs.zdnet.com/web2explorer/?p=95&part=rss&tag=feed&subj=zdblog
“Does What Happens in the Facebook Stay in the Facebook?” by Vishal Agarwala
http://www.albumoftheday.com/facebook/
“Facebook – The CIA Conspiracy” by Matt Greenop
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10456534
“Online Sex Predators Prefer IM, Chat Rooms to Social Networks” by Nate Anderson
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080206-online-sex-predators-prefer-im-chat-rooms-to-social-networks.html
“New Scrutiny for Facebook Over Predators” by Brad Stone
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/business/media/30facebook.html
“MySpace: Your Kid’s Danger?” By John Kresier
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/06/eveningnews/main1286130.shtml
“Social Network Sites Face US Ban”
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5230506.stm
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http://news.cnet.com/Congress-targets-social-network-sites/2100-1028_3-6071040.html
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http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/17266/?a=f
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http://rugjeff.com/494/popularity-of-social-networking-sites/
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http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=906
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http://www.dirjournal.com/articles/popularity-of-social-networking/
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http://www.asme.org/NewsPublicPolicy/Newsletters/MechanicalAdvantage/Social_Networking_Sites.cfm
“Facebook’s Beacon More Intrusive Than Previously Thought” by Juan Carlos Perez
http://www.pcworld.com/article/140182/facebooks_beacon_more_intrusive_than_previously_thought.html
“Is Facebook Beacon a Privacy Nightmare?” by Om Malik
http://gigaom.com/2007/11/06/facebook-beacon-privacy-issues/
“comScore: Social Networking Sites’ Popularity Increases Worldwide” by Dee Chisamera
http://www.efluxmedia.com/news_comScore_Social_Networking_Sites_Popularity_Increases_Worldwide_22165.html
“Facebook Marketing – Are You Taking Advantage of Facebook’s Popularity?” By Rich L. Stevens
http://ezinearticles.com/?Facebook-Marketing—Are-You-Taking-Advantage-of-Facebooks-Popularity?&id=1751689
