Social Networking Sites

1075 Words3 Pages

Social networking sites (SNSs) are defined as “tools young people use to get in touch with peers sharing the same interests while facilitating opinion exchange and information sharing” [1]. Attributed to the convenience these SNSs brought to us, they play significant roles in our daily lives. They become the major channels for people to have contact with each other [2]. Gone were the days when people made connections with others mostly through phone calls or letters. Generally, users communicate, organize people and spread messages in these platforms [3]. With the appearance of Myspace in 2003, SNSs are acquiring popularity having Facebook being the most common used site nowadays [4]. Noticing the growing trend of these sites, it is much debated if browsing SNSs are a waste of time. Yet, it is believed for the dominant group of SNS users – the adolescents, SNSs are beneficial since they can help to strengthen identity, increase social capital and encourage civic participation. To begin with, teenagers can be more acquainted with themselves upon the use of communicating tools in SNSs. With the help of these online platforms, people can contact with each other without physical limitations. Through communications with their peers using public channels, such as the Wall feature in Facebook, teenagers’ sense connection and thus belonging to their friends are increased [5]. Since they are able to exchange ideas and learn more about each other without geographical boundaries, these can be done more frequently and in depth. While in the process of intimate exchanges with their peers with the use of private messaging on SNSs, adolescents are motivated to disclose themselves towards others [5]. For these self-presentations, th... ... middle of paper ... ...Akaname, I. Nwakaego, Ibenegbu, C. Ifeanyi, Nwosu and E. Nchedo, “ Adolescents and use of social networking sites,” Golden Research Thoughts, vol. 3, no. 6, 2013. [Online] Available: http://www.aygrt.isrj.net/UploadedData/3105.pdf [Accessed February 9, 2014]. 15. 1. T. P. Alloway, J. Horton, R. G. Alloway and C. Dawson, “Social networking sites and cognitive abilities: do they make you smarter?,” Computer & Education, vol. 63 , 2010. [Online] Available: http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.lb.polyu.edu.hk/science/article/pii/S036013151200262X [Accessed February 9, 2014]. 16. H. Bicen and N. Cavus, “Social network sites usage habits of undergraduate students: case study of Facebook,” Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 28, 2011. [Online] Available: http://dx.doi.org.ezproxy.lb.polyu.edu.hk/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.11.174 [Accessed February 9, 2014].

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