Abubakar SD

What Is Social Networking?

Social Networking. . . It's the way the 21st century communicates today. Want to know what it really means?

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, if you will. Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online.

This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other people, to gather and share first-hand information and experiences about cooking, golfing, gardening, developing friendships professional alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing and even groups sharing information about baking cookies to the Thrive Movement. The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our universe.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, politics and alternative lifestyles. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.

The friends that you can make are just one of the many benefits to social networking online. Another one of those benefits includes diversity because the internet gives individuals from all around the world access to social networking sites. This means that although you are in the United States, you could develop an online friendship with someone in Denmark or India. Not only will you make new friends, but you just might learn a thing or two about new cultures or new languages and learning is always a good thing.

As mentioned, social networking often involves grouping specific individuals or organizations together. While there are a number of social networking websites that focus on particular interests, there are others that do not. The websites without a main focus are often referred to as "traditional" social networking websites and usually have open memberships. This means that anyone can become a member, no matter what their hobbies, beliefs, or views are. However, once you are inside this online community, you can begin to create your own network of friends and eliminate members that do not share common interests or goals.

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As I'm sure you're aware, there are dangers associated with social networking including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The most prevalent danger though often involves online predators or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not. Although danger does exist with networking online, it also exists in the real world, too. Just like you're advised when meeting strangers at clubs and bars, school, or work -- you are also advised to proceed with caution online.

By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and who you are

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talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social networking online. It will take many phone conversations to get to know someone, but you really won't be able to make a clear judgment until you can meet each other in person. Just use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell you when something doesn't feel right about the online conversations taking place.

Once you are well informed and comfortable with your findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of networking communities to join. This can easily be done by performing a standard internet search. Your search will likely return a number of results, including MySpace, FriendWise, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360, Facebook, Orkut, and Classmates.

Should You Join a Social Site?

Are you interested in meeting new people online?

Social networking websites allow internet users to communicate with each other and make connections - whether romantic, personal or professional.

Despite the fact that social networking website have rapidly increased in popularity and their popularity is expected to rise, there are many internet users who are unsure if actually joining is for them or, for that matter, whether they should allow their teens to join. Most teenagers want to fit in and find other friends to talk to so they'll join MySpace or Facebook and Twitter, but it certainly isn't limited to teenagers. People of all ages and all walks of life enjoy Facebook and Twitter.

Think about why social sites are so popular. Doing so will enable you to determine why other internet users make the decision to join an online social network. After a close examination, you may even find that those are the same reasons why you want to join - to easily meet other internet uses.

Before social networking sites, it was difficult to meet other internet users. If you tried, you would have to rely on chat rooms, instant messaging services and often communicate via email. As nice as these popular internet features are, they are not always considered safe. With chat rooms and the like, we're often given little reassurance that a person is who they claim to be. We just took it on faith that people were being honest and forthright about themselves. Before the introduction of social networking sites' "profiles" of its membership, there was no way that you could learn more about a particular internet user, even if you wanted to. But, social networking websites have changed that.

Not only have social networking websites made it safer to meet people online, it also allows us to meet people that share the same or similar interests. Most social networking websites allow you to create your own profile; in fact, many even give you your own webpage. These profiles or pages will allow you to share information about yourself, including your likes and dislikes, hobbies, education, etc. Since all other network members complete their own pages and profiles, it should be fairly easy for you to meet with other internet users, especially those who enjoy or believe in the same things that you do.

Another one of the many reasons why you should join a social networking website is because you literally have a wide variety of different choices. As social networking websites have increased in popularity, so did the number of websites that could be found online. Although Facebook is often deemed the most popular online social networking website, there are others that are just as easy or as much fun to use. Twitter has become a very popular site not only for keeping up with your friends, but for advertising as well. You should easily be able to find those websites by performing a standard internet search for "social networking websites."

In your search, for social networking websites, you will come across a number of different networks. Many of those sites will have a particular focus. Unlike MySpace, which accepts just about any internet user, there are online social networks that aim to accept internet users that have a particular hobby, view, or belief. In the online world you can find social sites that focus on politics, religion, pets, sports, medicine, pharmaceuticals, weight loss, depression and more. There hundreds of sites out there so finding one that fits your particular interests should be fairly easy.

If you are unsure about joining an online networking community, specialty networking sites may be your best bet. They are a great way to test the waters because they automatically pair you with internet users who have the same interests, views, or beliefs as you do. There are even sites for dog and cat lovers: dogchannel.com - as well as communities for artists and art lovers: gazzag.com.

Perhaps, the greatest reasons why should join a social site is because most are free to use. In addition to free social networks, there are online networks in which you are required to pay to join. Although you may not want to pay for something that you can obtain for free elsewhere, you will find that most paid networks offer you more membership benefits when compared to free social networking sites.

Due to the fact that most social networking websites are free to use or at least, free to try, you are encouraged to take your time and see what's available. If you are unsatisfied with your experience on a particular social site, you can easily cancel your membership; often without any hassels. Then keep looking until you find a good fit.

Creating a Social Networking Profile

Once you have made the decision to join a particular social networking website, you will need to need to register with the site. Even free networking communities require basic registration. Once you are registered, you should be able to start communicating with other community members. Before you start communicating, you may need to develop your online profile or profile page, depending on the networking site in question. Although it may seem easy enough to create a profile, there are many internet users who are unsure exactly what they should and should not include.

Perhaps, one of the most important things to include in your online website is your picture. While a personal picture is optional, it is ideal. Many internet users enjoy talking to someone that they can see in their minds, without a picture this is really difficult. If you are looking to use social networking websites just to meet new friends you may not necessarily need to post a private picture, but it is definitely preferred if you are looking for love. When it comes to internet dating, many individuals will not even view your profile if a picture is not included.

In addition to your photograph, you may want to include your name, but you are strongly advised against giving your full name, especially if your profile or profile page contains a personal photograph of you. In addition to your name, you may want to put down the location of a city you've always wanted to visit versus where you actually live. As with your name it is important to be mindful of "where you are," because posting your picture, address, and full name could be very dangerous, especially if it falls into the wrong hands.

Since anyone, literally anyone, can see your social networking profile, stop and think about the information you are giving out. Essentially, this means that instead of focusing on what you should put in your online profile, you should be focusing on what to exclude. As much as you would like to thoroughly complete your social networking profile with a lot of personal information, you are advised to think about your safety before anything else.

In lieu of your entire personal history, just include your hobbies, political, religious or environmental viewpoints; your likes, and your dislikes. With many social networking websites, including MySpace, you will find that there are preset profile fields for this information. In addition to preset questions or categories on your inclinations, you may also find additional information, including fun questionnaires.

Many social networking websites will ask that you describe your favorite color, your goals in life, your most embarrassing moment, and so forth. As with your other personal information, it is important to stay as vague as possible and not use any full names, especially real ones. Being vague is not being dishonest - it means you're being smart and careful until you know the time is right.

By keeping the above-mentioned points in mind, you should not only be able to create an online social networking profile that is filled with valuable information, but you can do so while staying safe at the same time. Your safety on the internet is in your hands!

The Problem with Online Relationships

Does Social Media Affect Personal Relationships?

A friend of mine asked me this question recently and it got me thinking. I myself have often wondered if people really like to spend so much time on social networking websites and, even if they do, how they are able to balance their online and offline social life.

Social media, undoubtedly, is the in-thing today. Almost everyone I know has a Twitter account, a Facebook account, or, in many cases, both. Tweeting and updating the status on their Facebook page has almost become a daily ritual for many people.

With the membership base of popular social networking sites running into hundreds of millions, it is safe to say that an extremely large number of people in the world are drawn into the addictively exciting world of social media.

Can You Really Connect With People through Social Media?

Social media enables you to connect and stay in touch with a large number of people. It allows you to connect with people from all walks of life. It also boosts your self-esteem. When people respond to your posts, ‘upvote’ or ‘like’ your comments, and discuss things with you, you feel important, loved, and respected. So, there is nothing inherently wrong with using social media to enrich your life.

The only problem is that it is very easy to confuse online intimacy for real intimacy. A lot of people find the social media experience so interesting that they forget that they can actually go out, talk to real people, and develop real relationships. They become so obsessed with their online social life that they simply do not feel the need to form real-world relationships.

Twitter and Facebook may help you connect with people, but you can only learn so much about people by following their status updates and tweets. You can try to engage in a private conversation with a person, but there is only so much you can convey through a 140-character tweet or a Facebook wall post. Most importantly, no amount of online chat can replace the need for a friendly, face-to-face conversation.

It is important to understand that the experience of connecting with people via social media, as interactive as it may be, is not a substitute for connecting with people in real life.

Taking Your Online Relationship to the Next Level

Picture this. You find someone on Twitter or Facebook. You find her interesting and feel connected to her. You both feel that you are ready to take things to the next level. What do you do next? This is the stage at which many people realize the stark difference between an online and offline relationship.

An online relationship requires very little effort from both the parties involved. You can tweet, exchange messages, or post something on each other’s walls using your smartphone or tablet. It is not a relationship between two real people, but the online personas of two people. It is, most of the times, very casual.

An offline relationship, on the other hand, requires a lot of effort. You need to find time to talk to each other on the phone, email each other, and hang out together. You need to make an effort to get to know each other’s interests. It takes time and effort to make a deep, personal connection and to cultivate a genuine friendship.

One of the reasons why many people tend to take an online relationship very casually is that they know that they can get out of it any time they want at the click of a button. All they need to do is unfollow or block the person. It does not work that way in a real-world relationship, as you have to meet each other in person, have a heart-to-heart conversation, and break up with each other.

How Real Is an Online Relationship?

One of the main problems with developing online relationships is that you can never be really sure if the information provided by someone is true or not. Many people tend to fill their profile page with false information in order to grab other people’s attention. This is something you need to be aware of while interacting with someone online.

Social networking websites also give people a chance to share mundane stuff with each other. You can tell people about anything – from the color of your cat’s eyes to the robe you bought recently. You can discuss anything – why Firefly got cancelled and Jersey Shore is still on the air, where to get free massages, how to save money on shoes, and pretty much any other topic you can think of.

The only problem with all this mundane, fluff information is that not everyone finds it interesting. For example, if you are an elderly person looking to connect with people of your age, you may be surprised at the sheer volume of ‘nothingness’ or ‘void’ that can be found on the Facebook walls of many people.

Even when it comes to young people, there is a threshold or limit to the amount of ‘fluff’ information they can handle. After a certain point, they simply do not care to know more and prefer to have brief, meaningless conversations with each other rather than trying to have long, meaningful conversations. So, if you are looking to develop meaningful relationships, you need to be aware of the potential downsides of information overload.

Reaching Out For People You Care About

Social media, at the end of the day, is a platform to meet and connect with people of varied interests. You can choose to develop shallow, meaningless relationships that can be just as easily broken as they are formed or develop real, meaningful relationships with people you feel connected to. You can choose to keep things simple and form virtual relationships that do not require any effort or choose to reach out for the people you care about and develop a long lasting bond. The choice, as always, is yours.

Crime and Social Networking Sites

Are You Putting Yourself at Risk Online?

Do you constantly update your status on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other such social networking websites? Do you tell your online contacts where you go, what you do, and whom you are with? If you do, you are unintentionally extending an open invitation to burglars and antisocial elements. First, let us take a look at some numbers.

A recent survey by Credit Sesame says that 35% of Americans check-in and tweet about their whereabouts and 15% of Americans regularly use social networking websites to tell their friends when they are not home. A recent report from Legal and General Group says that nearly 40% of Facebook users post details of their vacation plans on the website.

It sounds pretty harmless, right? After all, what could go wrong with sharing some information with your friends online? As it turns out, a lot could go wrong.

Studies show that an alarmingly large number of burglars use social networking websites to identify potential properties for burglary. A survey conducted among ex-burglars shows that 78% of ex-burglars used Facebook, Twitter, and Foursquare to target potential properties and 74% of them used Google Street View to scope out potential properties and know more about the location.

The Way It Works

Annie decides to go on a vacation. She shares the information with her friends by posting the following message on Facebook and Twitter. "I'm going on a vacation with my family on Nov 21. Looking forward to a great time. Bahamas, here I come".

One of her online contacts, who happens to be a burglar, reads this message and proceeds to do what any burglar in his place would do. He checks out her profile, makes a note of her address, and uses Google Maps to take a good, close look at the property he is about to burgle.

Annie has also posted a lot of photos of her household items – right from the hi-tech home theater system to the super expensive crystal vase – to let her friends know that she truly lives in style. The burglar also takes a good look at these photos to get an idea of what he is about to get his hands on.

Having all the details he could possibly ask for, the burglar pays a quiet visit to Annie’s house, takes everything he wants, and leaves without a trace.

The scenario could be a little different for different people. Some may post the details of the charity event they are about to attend, some may reveal that they are watching a movie with their family, and someone else may tell their friends about the wedding they are about to attend.

Whatever the scenario is, the result is likely to be the same – A planned, calculated burglary. Studies show that it takes only two minutes for a burglar to break into a home and only about ten minutes to steal everything. In other words, it does not matter if you are going on a long vacation or going out to have a cup of coffee. All a burglar needs is 10 to 15 minutes of alone-time with your property. So, it is never a good idea to reveal your whereabouts online.

The Stalker Syndrome

Posting your photos online and revealing too much personal information can also attract the attention of stalkers, sexual predators, identity thieves, scammers, and other such unwanted elements.

For example, Seung-Hui Cho, the Virginia Tech shooter, used Facebook to know more about his female classmates and stalked them. Similarly, in 2006, a cyber stalker sent death threats to a Kansas University student, posted her photos on his website, and published derogatory remarks about her looks.

Teenagers, in particular, fall for this trap as they often reveal too much information in an attempt to ‘open themselves up’ to find true love or friendship. This is why a lot of colleges and universities these days ask their students to be very cautious and not share their personal details with strangers online.

The Other Side of the Coin

Social networking is not all bad either. There have been a number of instances where social media websites have been used to catch the bad guys.

In February 2007, police nabbed a University of Connecticut student and charged him for hit-and-run by following leads via Facebook. In October 2008, police charged an Alberta based man with first-degree murder charges by monitoring his Facebook activity, which turned out to be an important piece of evidence.

There have also been many instances where burglars, bullies, rapists, and miscreants have been caught by the police with the help of social media outlets. As a result, law enforcement agencies use social networking websites as a weapon to catch criminals. The Salt Lake City Police Department, for example, has set up an online community policing program to stay in touch with people and solve crimes.

What Can You Do?

Set your social media privacy settings to allow only your friends to see your profile and content.

Do not accept friend requests from strangers.

Do not reveal your day-to-day schedule to anyone.

Do not let people know when you are not home.

Do not use location-based services like Facebook Places and Foursquare that automatically update your whereabouts online.

Do not post photos of your family members (especially kids) or expensive items in your household.

Request Google Maps to blur the images that feature your property, your car, or anything else that you feel is too personal to be in the public domain.

Social networking is a wonderful way to connect with people, make new contacts, share what you know with others, and learn new things. You should, however, be aware of the fact that the web has its fair share of bad elements that prey on the vulnerable. So, watch what you post online and stay safe.

Addicted to Social Sites?

Have you heard of the term Internet Addiction Disorder? What about Facebook Addiction, Internet Junkie, Net Junkie, or Nethead?

Any of these labels sound familiar?

What about "online-a-holic?”

These unflattering labels are used to categorize and identify an individua's obsessive dependence with the Internet, more commonly known as Internet Addiction Disorder, or IAD. Five well-known traits behind Internet Addiction Disorder are:

Excessive computer use typically associated with loss of spatial time perception;

Neglect of basic human drives, proper nutrition, personal hygiene and relationships;

Feelings of isolation, withdrawal, depression and extreme agitation, high-anxiety if the computer is unavailable or breaks down;

Low tolerance levels, including an unjustifiable need for bigger, better, faster computer equipment, the lastest and greastes software; and

Low accomplishment level, procrastination, lying, social isolation, and chronic fatigue.

Those at Risk

According to Maressa Orzack, director of the Computer Addiction Study Center at Harvard University's McLean Hospital, between 5% and 10% of web surfers suffer some form of web dependency. Another supporter, David Greenfield, PhD., of the Center for Internet Behavior, conducted a study with ABC News dot com in 1999 and is author of Virtual Addiciton. He believes that some services available over the Internet have unique psychological properties which induce dissociation, time distortion, and instant gratification, with about 6% of individuals experiencing some significant impact on their lives. However, he says it may not best be seen as an addiction bur rather as a compulsion. Source: Wikipedia 2010. Certain activities performed on websites, especially gaming and social networking sites, has the potential to sifnificantly alter normal functioning of the mind. This is not good news for teenagers and young adults whose minds are still growing.

Today, 8-18 year-olds devote an average of 7 hours and 38 minutes to using entertainment media across a typical day (more than 53 hours a week). And because they spend so much of that time "media multitasking (using more than one medium at a time), they actually manage to pack a total of 10 hours and 45 minutes worth of media content into those 7-1/2 hours. http://www.kff.org.

An excellent study was conducted by Pingdom.com who wanted to know the average Twitter and Facebook user and how age is distributed across millions and millions of social network users. They pulled together age statistics for 19 different social network sites and crunched the numbers. Pingdom.com’s website shows charts and graphs where they gathered all the statistical information at: http://royal.pingdom.com/2010/02/16/study-ages-of-social-network-users . The age group that dominates social networking sites is 35 to 44, and only 3% are aged 65 or older. Some of those users are spending 8 billion minutes online at Facebook alone - sending daily messages, joining groups, tagging photos, updating one's status, sending and accepting friend requests, creating and managing farms, and decorating rooms - it's a fairly long and time consuming list.

How did this happen?

Given these statistics, it's not hard to understan d why the number of internet-related psychological disorders has increased in recent years. But, on an emotional and spiritual level, it is hard to understand. Many people unconsciously use the fantasy world of the Internet to escape unpleasant family dynamics, drug abuse, alcoholism, or stressful work-related conditions and often turn to the Internet and social networks for comfort, familiarity, or support. These underlying issues have the potential to set the stage for IAD. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you something is off-kilter. Perhaps you see it in yourself, a close friend, or your spouse. With teenagers, many parents instinctively notice the behavioral changes and choose to simply "observe," hoping perhaps that it will go away. Some parents shrug it off to "growing pains," and assume it will pass given enough time. Sometimes it does. . . sometimes it doesn't.

Whether it's a negative label, compulsion, or certifiable disorder, IAD is here, it's real and if you know someone who is showing the signs of IAD, it is much better to face it early on than to ignore it. Some network users recognize they are spending way too much time on social sites and can wean themselves off. Others simply get bored and are totally over it, but many are not so fortunate.

How to help?

Listen and be there for those that need our wisdom and advice. It's not always easy to just "listen" because we tend to judge and criticize. But really listening is exactly what is needed; especially with young teens. A lot of parents don't get it - that kids have their own path to walk too, and part of the parenting role is to guide them along that path.

Decide if you need take a proactive stance with your children's computer and Internet use, and that includes teenagers. Keeping them safe is a full-time job - not part time- and it's our duty to act responsiby with their upbringing. Do a Google search for internet monitoring software to get an idea of what those software products has to offer. Look for website reviews, talk to other parents and teachers for recommendations. Most importantly, set boundaries with your children and stick to them, no matter what the outcome. When parents set boundaries, children and teens learn to do the same and, it makes them feel safe. What could be better than that!

Many countries, including the United States, have enacted laws against the possession or distribution of certain material, such as child pornography, via the Internet, but do not mandate filtering software. There are many free and commercially available software programs, with which a user can choose to block offensive websites on individual computers or networks, in order to limit a child's (or teen's) access to pornographic materials or depiction of violence. Source: Wikipedia, 2010.

If Internet Addiction Disorder applies to you and you feel like you're spending too much time on social networks (and ignoring your life) and can't seem control yourself, then talk to someone. It will help! If you think the hide-and-seek dynamics of professional counseling aren't for you, then please consider the simple act of changing your beliefs (it's not that hard, really), and honestly work to get off the IAD merry-go-round. Search self-help books on energy therapy, EFT, meditation, anything that resonates with you.

The Internet and social networks were not created to bring disharmony into our lives. They were created to allow connections and communication among people and that's a good thing.

Abubakar SD

Monday 14 January 2013

What is social media?

What Is Social Networking?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Every believer who consoles his brother in distress