Social Networking is my favourite topic in regards to this subject KCB201 Virtual Cultures. I am sure it is my favourite as I am apart of a social network such as Facebook and can finally relate to one of the topics of this subject. So lets begin.....
Social networking web sites and online communities have emerged as a communication element for young adults in the 21st century. MySpace and Facebook are two leading popular social networking sites which offer interactive services to its users. MySpace is the most popular social networking web site in the world, offering blogs, personal profiles, network of friends, photos, music and videos.
In Robin Raskin’s article “Facebook faces its future” she outlines how Facebook compared to MySpace is one of the first social networks to have been built in exclusivity. The Facebook community is closed to anyone who doesn’t belong to an academic community for Example University. Facebook and MySpace can be seen as a networked community where members are easily “addicted” in a sense and are constantly running back to check the latest developments on the site. I can personally say I am in some ways “addicted” to Facebook, while writing this blog, I am constantly checking my wall or writing on someone else’s, in a way Facebook to me is an easy way of communication, you don’t have to talk to anyone and it is easily and readily available and you can type away while doing something else. This however can be a very scary thought, is face to face and personal interaction lacking due to the fact that social networks and online communities make it easy just to have a chat over the internet with friends rather then in person?
Social networks such as Facebook also allow friends and family to become apart of another ‘family’ via virtual communities. For instance photos from the weekend a wedding or a 21st can be uploaded onto your social network page so that friends are able to view them and comment on them. .. this is a great tool in any case as you are able to share photos and good times with your friends. Social networking especially Facebook is really a great concept.... It allows you to inertact online, chat to people, upload photos and have your own little network with friends.
The question that remains however is whether or not social networking consumers will lose their habit as they age.
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Thanks for the comment on my blog, I'm returning the favour:)
Have you seen another piece by Danah Boyd called Viewing American class divisions through Facebook and MySpace? (http://www.danah.org/papers/essays/ClassDivisions.html )
It’s an American "study" on the use of MySpace and Facebook by youth in regards to class division, status and societal values. What I found to be the most interesting part was that it mentioned that in America, generally the better educated and wealthier "private schooled" youth use Facebook, while those in the lower-socio economic segment and public schools prefer MySpace as it allows more creativity (eg. Colourful backgrounds, ability to “pimp” your profile etc). I guess this is in part due to the “exclusive” and more “academic” nature of Facebook, as you pointed out in your entry. I’m not sure if there is such a divide between Facebook and MySpace users in Australia, but at the beginning of last year before I had even heard about Facebook many international students were telling me about it, so maybe we’re just abit behind the times in Australia (or maybe it’s just me).
You also discussed in your blog about some of your online “addictions” and how it is scary to think that “real” interaction is decreasing because of the ease of maintain relationships and talk to friends via the net. Now that I think about it, even though I shake my head at my net addicted housemates, upon moving to Brisbane the internet has been a vital tool in maintaining friendships with my mates back in Cairns. Even if it’s posting a 4 word comment on their MySpace profile “Hey, how are you?” or a simple “hahaha” on a silly Facebook photo, these little things can help preserve relationships and the birthday reminders on social networking sites are lifesavers!
In regards to your entry, I really like your blogging style; it’s factual and informative while still being “personal” and entertaining. I’m getting abit bored of writing about citizen journalism all the time so I think I might take a leaf out of your book and make an entry about social networking, since it is one of the more easily relatable and understandable topics.
Dear Courtney,
In response to your blog question, I strongly believe most social networking consumers will lose their habit as they age and progress through the different stages in life. A small minority of heavy users will remain connected as they age because social networking already constitutes part of their daily life and activities.
Social networks constitute the new social change and the diffusion of logic substantially modifies the outcomes in culture, power, experiences and production processes (Castells in Flew 2005, 27). The rise of the networked society has produced a global and informational new economic and technological framework (Castells in Flew 2005, 27). Networks are significant because they draw attention to the relationships between individuals and groups which are deeply embedded in cultural norms.
Online communities allow individuals to express themselves though participations and identify what information is out there in our economy. An interesting approach to social networking is The Habbo Hotel concept. It involves creating of an online character, called a Habbo. Users are able to decorate rooms with furniture purchased by ‘Habbo credits’ which can be bought with credit cards, mobile phones or prepaid stored value cards.
Social networking sites can provide an alternative mass media approach to spreading global messages which are independent of traditional media. The impact of social networking trends on other online activities which are continuously competing for a share of the consumer’s disposable time is a major concern for the future.
References:
Flew, T. 2005. New media: An introduction. South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
I personally use myspace all the time. I haven't caught onto the facebook craze yet, because not many of my friends use it and the ones that do aren't too keen on it. But from my experience with myspace it is addictive. I had put off creating a myspace profile for a long time, until I finally did about 2 years ago. Since then I have used it frequently. The ability to communicate with friends, no matter where they are is great. I love how I might go to a party and then come home and check out pictures and/or comments about it on myspace. However I am finding that recently, although I may be signed into myspace, I'm not actually using it often. I use it to comment/message friends occasionally, in particular those who don't use MSN to chat. Other then that, I don't do a lot else with it anymore. I don't blog on it, I don't watch videos or participate in the groups. I guess I'm gradually growing out of it. Maybe its just a temporary thing, due to the fact I'm so busy lately with university, work and my social life. It could possibly be something more permanent though. I guess only time will tell.
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