Thanks to the Internet, there really is such a thing as global community. Any of us can chat and share our thoughts with people around the world. Computers mean that traditional boundaries and time zones don’t have to keep us from connecting with others. Social networking sites have contributed a lot to this. These sites go beyond e-mail or instant messaging to allow users to create pages that reflect their interests and keep up with their friends (or make new ones).
Among the most popular and well-known social networking sites are Facebook and Twitter. Facebook started out as a way for college students to connect with each other but has grown to include millions of members of all ages and walks of life. Twitter is a site where users send out “tweets,” or messages no longer than 140 characters, to keep their “followers” apprised of what they are up to.
While social networking sites are a great way to meet people, they really are not a substitute for face-to-face interaction. We are social beings and need that real time with our friends and family in order to be balanced individuals. However, social networking sites can be a great way to branch out socially, or to keep up with loved ones who live outside of your area.
It is also important to keep safety in mind when using social networking sites. This is especially crucial for younger users. Tweens and teens who want to be active on social networking sites should be careful about posting identifying information, such as their name, the name of their school, or other details that could make it easy for someone to figure out who they are. It can also be a good idea to keep your page private so that only your friends, family or people you give permission to can view your page and any photos you choose to post.