Social Networking: the Present

Social networking has changed the face of communication and the Internet over the past few years. Sites such as Myspace and Facebook add a whole new dimension to socializing and discovery, while growing more popular by the day. 48% of teens surveyed said that they visited social networking sites, and 37% of just the 12 and 13 years old alone said that they have created online profiles. Myspace is said to have about 145 million users (article). So, why are these sites creating such a phenomenon on the internet? Well, they allow people to find what they're looking for when when they want it. Music and videos and media in general have taken on a new edge because of "word of mouth" through these networks. If you see a new music video on T.V., chances are it will be up on YouTube within a few hours. Hear a new band? Google their name, or check them out on Myspace. Social networks also allow people to find and socialize with others who have the same specific interests, something that was extremely difficult to do just a decade ago. Social networking is not going away, and the world is becoming smaller because of it. We are connected and plugged in to so many different outlets it's almost overwhelming. But with so much information, media, and communication at our fingertips, there is a lot to gain. We just have to find the time to explore and enjoy it all.