In today’s society, people have been taken over by social networking. I am no one to judge for I am guilty of it myself. What used to be considered as a fun pastime has slowly evolved into an aggravating addiction. What started out in the early 2000s has prospered to be a larger breakthrough than what anyone could have ever expected. According to Cameron Chapman, a writer over social media, the early 2000s brought some huge developments in social networking and social media sites. From as early as MySpace to the more current fads such as the ever so popular Facebook and Twitter, social networking is taking part in the lives of all generations. Because these social networking sites are so popular, many people are being affected by them every day. But are these effects really for the best? The answer is no. Though a great way to pass the time and one of the easiest ways to stay connected with long lost friends, social networking is more detrimental than people realize. Social networking is not just causing small issues such as wasting time either. Social networking has become the cause of more serious problems like long term personal skills, health problems, bullying, and pedophiles. But that’s not all. One of the most devastating effects that has been directly linked to social networking sites is the suicidal rate among all age groups around the world. The problem with all these negative outcomes is that so many people are unaware of them. Is our society going to sit back and watch these sites grow? Are these issues going to continue to get worse?

Social networking sites and the issues that go along with them are such a big problem in today’s world because so many people out there are using them. The age of users ranges from pre-teen years to late adult hood. My entire family seems to be caught up on the latest webpage, from my 14 year old cousin to my 72 year old grandma. No matter the age, the responsibility when it comes to using these social networking sites should remain the same. As you get older, you should have enough common sense to understand the importance of safety, but for the younger generation of users, guidance from parents could never hurt. There are ways that many of the negative effects of social networking can be avoided or at least improved.
When a person joins a social networking site by making their very own profile, they are taking on the responsibility of using the site appropriately and safely. Many users believe that knowing the basic terms-of-use is all there is to know. But that’s where they are wrong. What people fail to look into and fully educate themselves on is how to use the site properly for their own personal convenience and security. If people took the time to learn how to use the social sites correctly, many problems could be avoided later down the road. One thing that people don’t take full advantage of is the privacy settings. Makers of all social networking sites make sure to incorporate a privacy settings link for their sites. If people took the time to change the privacy settings on their profiles, many problems, such as pedophiles and stalkers, could be avoided. If the company is doing their part by providing safety features, users need to do their part by using them.
Along with the pedophiles and stalkers, bullies also serve as big problems. Not everyone you meet on the internet is nice. Whether it is classmates from school or complete strangers you don’t even know, bullying can come from anywhere. If you are being bullied or assaulted on the internet, you need to speak up and take action. Blocking the person from contact can be the first step. If blocking the person doesn’t work, reporting them to the company is also a solution. Also talking to someone you trust about what has been going on can be a good idea. Bullying is never okay and no one should have to deal with it.
Another way that users can improve safety is by using common sense. The world-wide-web can be a dangerous place. When using social media sites, people need to be aware of what they post, such as status updates and pictures. My parents always use to tell me to never post anything that I wouldn’t want everyone to see because once something’s on the internet, it’s there forever. Today, I completely understand. Now anytime I go to share something, I always take a minute to think before I click the little box that says “post”.
I know sometimes it can be hard, but limiting time spent on social networking sites can also improve these risks. Many people turn to the internet when they are bored. It provides a way to chat with friends, look at pictures, and many other ways to pass the time. But what happens if you use that time spent social networking and put it towards something else. According to Louise Change, a medical doctor, obesity in teens has been directly linked to over use of the internet and social networking sites. So from now on, instead of using free time to log onto their favorite website, users should maybe go for a walk, run, or even try out a new sport. These social networking sites may be fun, but they do not make up for the lack of exercise.
There are many ways that the safety of social networking can be improved. As the networks continue to grow, the dangers are going to grow with them. As a society we must do our part in eliminating these risks and making social networking a more enjoyable experience. As users, or as parents of the younger generation of users, it is our job to monitor the use of these sites and to use them in the most responsible way.