The Pros and Cons of Social Networking Sites

The dawn of social networking brought with it a new era of communication. There are many great features on sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Sokule, Friendster, and Bebo, but as with any technological advances there are drawbacks. In the case of social networking it seems to be a double-edged sword.

Before we attack, let's look at the pros associated with this new wave of communication tools. In the case of a site like Facebook, with a few keystrokes you can keep in touch with everyone you've ever met. You can post family photos, home videos, cartoons, or quotes you find amusing, all for your loved ones to see in real time regardless of where they are and what they're doing. You can track down old friends and make new ones from the convenience of your laptop.

If you're a business owner such sites are your new best friends. You can laser target your audience with ads or promotions and reach potential customers in numbers you couldn't imagine if you weren't tapped into the online global marketplace. You have unlimited potential to grow your business if you know the ins and outs and how to successfully navigate the internet, whether you're part of a conglomerate or a one-man operation.

Despite all these advantages for the average entrepreneur looking to expand upon her business, for the individual looking to keep up on her social life there are perhaps just as many disadvantages. Though it may be convenient having the ability to tell all of your friends the latest gossip via your Twitter account instantaneously, once a comment is posted it's out there for all to see, forever! And while they may be quick and easy to use, such sites are fast replacing quality face-to-face time for a new generation.

Another major issue we've all heard about ad nauseum is the danger of a personal profile destroying your chances of a new job, or potentially losing your current one. Many companies encourage management to peruse the Facebook or MySpace accounts of potential candidates before deciding whether or not to hire them. We all need to have fun and let loose and we're all entitled to gossip, voice our opinions, and screw up from time to time. And perhaps we shouldn't have to worry about this compromising our job prospects, but -- when all of this is easily accessible on one page and is made public -- this may drastically colour how an employer sees you. He is only getting one side of the story (your social life) and this isn't the first impression you want to present.

If you already have a job you're happy with and aren't looking for a change, you still need to exercise discretion. You may be the most intelligent and hardest-working asset your company has, but these days very few employers will pass on the opportunity to monitor existing employees to determine who should move up the ranks or who should be moved -- or moved out. Maybe it shouldn't matter but all it takes is for the person in charge to pass judgement on one photo (of you having a little too much fun at a friend's party, perhaps?) and you could instantly damage your career path. It may sound ludicrous, but it's been known to happen so why take the chance?

If you're going to be a part of the social networking boom, just make sure you have second, third, and even fourth thoughts about what you're posting about yourself -- and others -- before you commit anything to cyberspace. Remember, your reputation is your calling card so if it's something you wouldn't want you mother to see, don't post it!

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