Social Networks

The Internet has now become the single most commonly used item in our daily lives; there are a lot of developments and progress in the technical level and quality of electronic services in order to progress to a better life for users. The online environment has provided a quick, easy and the same time, inexpensive solution for contacting relatives and friends. Consumer conversation is widespread among social video and audio with the possibility of the full data transfer. The environment has become an easy sitter for the contributions of millions of people, no matter how the system is small and non-logical or large and important. The spread of the Internet and dramatic attention of the last five years of new sites on the Internet have attracted millions of users to it. Classify the locations of sites in the second generation Web (Web 2.0), called (social networking sites). Based on the users first and foremost provide connectivity, including whether they are friends you know on the ground or they are friends I knew in the virtual world. Web 2.0 applications that make everyone a contributor to many of the ideas, views and a real contributor to the content of the famous sites. The collaboration between Internet users and providers of portals and corporate umbrella is important for the constructor’s virtual network providing for freedom to provide observations and views of both the company’s products and content script. Some examples of the second generation of sites as: Google Ad sense, Flickr, Blogging and social networking sites as Facebook. This paper will explain the social networking concept, including its origin, types, proliferation, and finally the positives and negatives.

Social Network Sites: Definitions of terms

Social networks are very popular these days, especially for young people, what are the social networks? “A social network is a set of relationships between a group of “actors”(the “actors” could be individuals , and so on) who usually have similar interests”(Liebowitz, 2007,3). For example, a website called Facebook (www.facebook.com) was developed by Harvard University students to allow students from different colleges or within a given college to form social networks”(Liebowitz, 2007, 3). Accordingly, the social networks is the term given to a group of Web sites emerged with the second generation of the Web or what is known as Web 2.0 enable communication between individuals in a virtual community that brings them together by interest groups or networks of affiliations (country, university, school, company. etc. ..) All this is through direct communication services such as sending messages or access to personal files to others and finding out their news and information that makes all of the display. “Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share common interests in hobbies, religion, or politics. 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”(www.whatissocialnetworking.com, 2009).

There are classified as social networking sites in the Web 2.0 sites because they are primarily dependent on its users in the operation and feed their contents. Also, the forms and objectives of those social networks vary; communication is aimed at the public and making friends around the world and others are centered on the composition of social networks within a specific and limited to a particular area such as networks and professional networks, photographers and Graphics designers. “Social network are the fabric created by social relationship, and your action can help determine whether this fabric repels good ideas or is porous so it soaks up information like a sponge” (Carpenter, 2009, 64). 

A History of Social Networks

It is important to know the history of the beginnings of social networks on the Internet,
 What are the social networks that started in early and Why has it appeared at that time? “The first recognizable social network site launched in 1997. SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their Friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the Friends lists. Each of these features existed in some form before SixDegrees, of course. Profiles existed on most major dating sites and many community sites” (Boyd & Ellison, 2007). In the same period showed many sites, this type of sites was used by the students often to discuss projects of study and communication. “The next wave of SNSs began when Ryze.com was launched in 2001 to help people leverage their business networks” (Boyd & Ellison, 2007). The development of this type of networks to include more aspects of people's lives have begun to enter and strongly in the business. Given the history of social networking on the Internet, we cannot ignore two sites of the largest social networking sites and the most widespread and expanding MySpace and Facebook. “Like any brief history of a major phenomenon, ours is necessarily incomplete. In the following section we discuss Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook, three key SNSs that shaped the business, cultural, and research landscape” (Boyd, Ellison, 2007).The next section will explain the Types of social networks.

Types of social networks

When most people think of the term social networking, the first thing that comes to mind is the two largest and most popular general use social networks on the Internet today: MySpace and Facebook.” In fact, when you consider the many ways that the web is now integrated into your everyday life, the scope of the term "social networking" becomes more apparent. Today, people use the Internet to conduct many tasks: 1) to research financial, family, and other personal decisions,  2)network with other business associates and clients, Attend virtual classes to obtain online degrees or certifications, 3)connect with other hobbyists who share your passion for the same interests and activities, 4)conduct scientific or academic collaboration and research, 5)accumulate and spread news or rumor across the global community”(Social Networking, Love to Know,2009).Social networks vary in different services they offer and vary depending on the goal that was established social network, and also vary according to users. What types of social networks exist on the web today? According to (Social Networking, Love to Know, 2009), the Major Social Network Categories are: “Informational, Professional, Educational, Hobbies, Academic, and News”. The next section will explain some of the services provided by social networks.

Some of the services provided by social networks:

The use of social networking is almost a necessity to connect with people, especially young people because it may be difficult to build traditional relations in today's world. “This is the way today's generation is communicating. If we wanted to stay relevant and in their line of sight, we need to jump into social networking venues with both feet” (Knabe, 2009, 21). The true goal of the existence of these networks is to communicate; at the beginning, communication between people of ties to an earlier stage and then go to building new relationships with people who do not know.  ” Using web2.0 technologies as a backbone for communication, social media such as Twitter, Facebook, blogs and wikis emphasize two-way communication and relationship building” (Knabe, 2009, 21).  Among the most important service provided by social networks is to share files and it is one of the reasons for the popularity of these sites.”The online community allows people to connect with others by sharing videos, pictures and updates” (Knabe, 2009, 21). Students make up a large segment of society, using these networks as a source of information.”Students use sites such as Facebook, and MySpace as their primary communication vehicles, as well as their sources of information about friends, events, and issues” (McCord&Easton&Shimabukuro, 2008). These networks have evolved even entered in the field of business world and Companies.”In the business world ,networking sites such as Linkedln that provide access to job advertisements, customers, public recommendations, and extensive virtual rolodexes have become must-have tools for success” (McCord& Easton & Shimabukuro ,2008).  The next section will explain the most important social networks and the most popular.

The popularity of social networks

The importance and popularity of social networks stems from the services provided for the users and the extent of their interaction with these services. “These statistics show that there is a large interest in SNS in the global Internet public”( Fuchs, 2009, 4). Accordingly these networks begin to proliferate and expand and increase the number of participants.  For example, Facebook is one of the most popular sites among users.”Facebook is one of the fastest-growing networks with more than 200 million users around the world” (Knabe, 2009, 21).  As noted, the vast majority of users of these networks are young people.  ” SNS are generally focused on young people as a target audience” (Fuchs, 2009, 4). 

  Social networks play an important role for Internet users, and this role can be summed up by how long the users spent browsing and using of social networking as well as the amount of information that is pumped into the users of those sites, its dissemination, and exchange (Intelligent Positioning, 2010). Social networks achieved the highest percentage in the time spent by an Internet user on the Internet; in the U.S.A statistics were tallied between February 2007, and February 2009 comparing the percentage that Americans browse for: Google, Yahoo, MySpace and Facebook .The results showed that users Internet spent the greatest part surfing MySpace and Facebook. In addition, the corresponding was surge clear in the proportion of time spent by users in the use of a social network like Facebook, and a sharp decline in the proportion of users of another social network, MySpace ( Intelligent Positioning,2010).

The most recent statistics conducted by the site (Toptenreviews.com), on carrying out assessments and arrangements for many of the products and technical services, for both MySpace and Facebook status I and II, respectively.  Statistics also showed that new social sites Such as the social position of the rank, a site Orkut which won the sixth order and social council for Yahoo, and Yahoo! 360 which ranked eighth in the world. Statistics were corducted on a variety of indicators, including the methods of protection used and their effectiveness as well as the search service and details. The arrangements of the social networks for the first ten are as follows: Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Friendster, hi5, Orkut, PerfSpot, Yahoo!360, Zorpia, and Netlog. (2010 Social Networking Websites Review Comparisons, Toptenreviews.com, 2010).

Security and Privacy in Social Networking

As with any new technology, emergence of social networks has created many thorny issues. Many legal problems have formed or may form some obstacles in the growth of social networks. One of the most important issues is privacy, where the debate in social networks has encroached on the privacy of the individual and changed the concept of privacy of the individual. The solutions to this problem have been proposed by the owners of social networks. These are providing some privacy,( such as access control feature in the presentation of some of the content profile for a particular group of people) ,adding some laws, and relating to the contact access by others.

What are the security and privacy issues associated with social networking sites? ”Security and privacy related to social networking sites are fundamentally behavioral issues, not technology issues” (CIP BULLETIN 2-10, MS-ISCA, 2010).Another important point is what can an attacker do with a large network of contacts in a social networking site?

”One obvious possibility is advertisements. The second possibility is collect contact information such as email addresses or telephone numbers. The third possibility is phishing and/ or malware installation.”(Sancho, Security Guide to Social Networks, 2009). There are also a lot of legal issues that require the issuance of new laws and to amend some laws that are used.”   SNSs are also challenging legal conceptions of privacy. Hodge (2006) argued that the fourth amendment to the U.S. Constitution and legal decisions concerning privacy are not equipped to address social network sites. For example, do police officers have the right to access content posted to Facebook without a warrant? The legality of this hinges on users' expectation of privacy and whether or not Facebook profiles are considered public or private” (Boyd & Ellison, 2007).

            It is known that the majority of users of this network are young people. Therefore, they are more vulnerable than others when they deal with social networks. There are many steps that must be followed to deal with these networks securely. What are the precautions we should take? The FTC suggests these tips for socializing safety online:  “1) Think about how different sites work before deciding to join a site. 2) Think about keeping some control over the information you post. 3) Keep your information to yourself. 4) Make sure your screen name doesn’t say too much about you. 5) Post only information that you are comfortable with others seeing - and knowing - about you. 6) Remember that once you post information online, you can’t take it back. 7) Consider not posting your photo. 8) Flirting with strangers online could have serious consequence. 9) Be wary if a new online friend wants to meet you in person. 10) Trust your gut if you have suspicions”(Facts for consumers, Federal trade commission,2006). While networking sites are useful for bringing people together in cyberspace, you need to be aware of security issues with social networking sites if you're going to use them.

Pros and cons of social networks

Currently, social networks are becoming an effective means of social networking as it connects you to colleagues and friends, some of whom may have been lost contact with them for a long time. Social networks just search engines which are becoming increasingly efficient; the greater the number of information and sites that are indexed, the more traffic on it. Social networks are also showing strengths greater than the number of registered students. Some social networks in the near future may resort a desire to communicate with an individual and search for him/her.  In view of these networks, will find that a lot of pros and features as well as there are many negatives.

A.    Pros of using Social Networking:

Despite the arguments against spending excess time engaged in online activities, there are many pros of social networking.”Social media give us a chance to talk directly to people who are interested” (Knabe, 2009, 21).It stimulates creative thinking and patterns and different ways to communicate with other people because of the intellectuals and different environments.” Social media also give us an opportunity to be real people with real personalities when we interact online” (Knabe, 2009, 21). It deepens the concept of participation and communication with others and teaches effective communication methods.

According to the site LoveToKnow.com, number of pros of using social networks including:”1) Finding Old Friends through Social Networking.2) Searching for People with Similar Interests.3) Using Social Networks to Get Information.4) Promoting Your Business through Social Networking.5) Promoting an Event through Social Networking.6) Promoting a Cause through Social Networking” (Social Networking, Love to Know, 2009). There are many positive aspects that vary according to these networks and different users and the purpose of its establishment.

B.     Cons of using Social Networking:

As a corollary to the spread of this new technology and the large number of users who may not understand how to deal with this kind of network there are a lot of problems and negatives. According to the study explored in the book Social Networking Sites and the Surveillance Society, a number of problems for some users of social networks (Fuchs, 2009, 89): 

1: Data abuse or data forwarding or lack of data protection that lead to surveillance by state, companies, or individuals. 2: Private affairs become public and result in a lack of privacy and privacy control.         3: Personal profile data (images, etc) are accessed by employer or potential employers and result in job-related disadvantages (such as losing a job or not getting hired). 4: Receiving advertising or spam. 5: Lack or loss of personal contacts, superficial communication and contacts, impoverishment of social relations. 6: Stalking, harassment, becoming a crime victim. 7: Commercial selling of personal data.          8: Data and identity theft. 9: I see no disadvantages. 10: It is a waste of time. 11: Virus, hacking and defacing of profiles, data integrity.          12: Internet addiction, increase of stress and health damages.               13: Unrealistic, exaggerated self-presentation, competition for best self-presentation. 14: Disadvantages at university because professors can access profiles. 15: Costs for usage can be introduced (or exist in the case of some platforms). 16: Friends can get a negative impression of me.

In this quote above, each new technology has supporters and opponents; however social networks provides many services and benefits, which if exploited fully, could be of great benefit to many Internet users.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this paper tried to explain the social networking concept, including its origin, types, proliferation, and finally the positives and negatives. Social networking is a place that people can establish their own space their own home page, write blogs, add pictures, sound clips or video and can also add their favorite Web sites. Also social networking set up virtual communities on the web for people who have similar interests root cause of the reputation for social networks is to allow people to track their friends easily. The privacy is important issues that affect in the process of these networks, which the owners of these sites are working to address the problems of privacy and security. Like other tools and the new sites found a lot of positives and some negatives. Today there are scientific studies of human behavior using social networking sites, and they are converted to modern methods drawing students from science  and including all new technologies in our time with the hope of creating a brighter future.

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