Social Networking: The Evolution of Communication

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1. As the world adapts to society’s new technological developments, communication changes as well. Within the last few years, social networking sites have become a new form of interaction for people who may be anywhere from within walking distance to another continent. It has become evident that these websites have become an integral part of our world. Yet have these websites improved our interaction with other people? Or are we heading towards further isolation? In the article “Facebook and MySpace: Complement or Substitute for Face-to-Face Interaction?” from Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, Carlyne L. Kujath presents research on the effects of social networking sites (namely Facebook and MySpace) and their effects on human connection.

2. The author designed this experiment to determine if the effects of “computer-mediated communication” on relationships were geared specifically toward Facebook and MySpace. To begin, she collected data about Internet communication as a whole. In one study, Carlyne discovered that the Internet can decrease communication within a household and increase depression and loneliness. However, this only results if the Internet is used only for cyber communication. In another study, she discovered that “computer-mediated communication” assists in maintaining close relationships with others and helps form new relationships.

Carlyne continues her analysis by discussing the two main forms of cyber communication, which are social-networking sites called Facebook and MySpace. She points out that these two websites are different from other forms of Internet dialogue. Both Facebook and MySpace require knowing who the individual is in order to communicate with said individual. This is show...

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...ication. This does not mean that the interaction between the people within the household decreased, but instead transformed into a new means of discussion.

5. Although the true effects of social-networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace on human interaction remain to be determined, the article still presents a fairly unbiased, logical, and valid assessment of possible effects. Carlyne was successful in allowing the reader to have an idea of whether or not Facebook and MySpace are really used to meet new people or to only converse with friends. I was pleased to notice that the author withheld her own views and allowed the data to form the opinion. Regardless of what the effects of social networking sites may be, sites such as Facebook and MySpace are an opportunity for the world to remain connected. It is these connections that have evolved our communication.

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