Social networking has benefits like connecting with others and promoting causes, but also risks like cyberbullying, identity theft, and oversharing private information. While social media allows inexpensive promotion for businesses, it can also be used to target personalized ads. Heavy social media use may replace real human interaction and negatively impact brain development in children if not monitored. To reduce risks, users should limit time on sites, adjust privacy settings, and parents should guide children's online activities.

1. Social Mediaor Social Destruction? The Pros and Cons of Interacting Via the Internet

2. What is Social Networking? A web-based gathering place for friends, family, businesses, musicians People can express and share their interests, photographs, ideas and more Typical sites include: User-created profiles (to display interests, activitiesand photographs) The ability to find and add friends A messaging or commenting function to share opinions

3. Popular Social Networking Sites Facebook Myspace Twitter LinkedIn deviantART Livejournal Tumblr Digg Reddit Orkut

4. Social Networking Statistics Social networking and blogging sites accounted for 17% (about one in every six minutes) of all time spent on the Internet in August 2009 - nearly three times as much as in 2008. The popularity of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Classmates.com more than quadrupled from 2005 to 2009 US advertisers spent an estimated $1.4 billion to place ads on social networking sites in 2008 and advertising expenditures are predicted to rise to $2.6 billion by 2012. Teens spend an average of nine hours per week on social networking sites. In 2006, 60 million Americans received help with major life issues (such as changing jobs, finding a new place to live, buying a car, and caring for someone with an illness) from people in their social networks. A 2009 study found that 17.3% of middle school students have been victims of cyberbullying.

5. So, What Are The Positives? Connect With Friends and Family Sites such as Facebook, Classmates and MySpace are a powerful tool to stay in touch with family members and friends that may live across town, across the country or even across the world Keep in contact with relatives and acquaintances; remain updated on upcoming events and special news in their lives Share photographs and messages

6. Updating, Informing and Sharing Share and promote ideas, news and grassroots campaigns Social media can be a powerful tool for social change and an effective alternative to conventional means of communication. During the protests of the Iranian election in June 2009, Twitter was the main way through which protestors shared what they saw, reported what they heard and contacted each other for information. Another example: the Obama presidential campaign relied heavily on social networking to spread their message and garner support. “On Nov. 3, 2008, the day before the US presidential election, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama had 2,379,102 Facebook supporters while Republican candidate John McCain had 620,359. Obama had 833,161 MySpace friends and McCain had 217,811. Obama had 384% more Facebook supporters and 383% more MySpace friends than McCain.”

7. Promote and Grow Great way for small business, bands and organizations to promote themselves inexpensively Share your band, company, or product for far less than the cost of a billboard or TV or radio campaign Encourage feedback to gain insight on consumer’s opinions and suggestions Effective tool for “word-of-mouth” advertising

8. Establish Helpful Connections Find People and Groups That Offer Support Assist with job hunting and professional networking LinkedIn is just one of many business-oriented social networking sites; share professional contacts, resumes and experience Use friends and friends-of-friends on standard social networkign sites for information about jobs, assistance, or potential buyers for used items (car, boat etc) Find and gain support from groups made specifically for coping with loss, addiction, etc. Many social networking sites are tailored to people struggling with afflictions

9. The Downside of Social Networking Cyberbullying and Personal Attacks Bullying is bound to take place in life, but can have drastic effects online – especially with teens 42% of kids have been bullied while online. 1 in 4 have had it happen more than once. There have even been cases of cyberbullying-related suicides in teens. Rachael Neblett Ryan Halligan Megan Meier Jeffrey Johnston Phoebe Price

10. Identity Theft and False Representation Criminals Easily Create False “Profiles” and Steal Information From You Any criminal can create a profile under any name or location to hide their intent If you don’t strictly manage your profile, any of your information can be gleaned and utilized maliciously The US Marine Corps banned the use of all social networking sites because the sites are "a proven haven for malicious actors and content and are particularly high risk due to information exposure...." The entire Department of Defense is considering a ban on social networking sites because of concerns over security threats and potential computer viruses.”

11. Unexpected Consequences Similar to Identity Theft, Oversharing Can Lead to Vulnerability Sexual predators Young teens may not be aware of how accessible their information is Older men or women can easily create a profile disguised as a younger person to get access to teens Loss of job opportunities Embarrassing photographs or information may be viewed by potential employers

12. Unwanted Exposure to Marketing While it is beneficial to allow business to spread word about their services in an inexpensive way, trolling social networking sites to mine marketing data and target personalized ads is a completely different concept. Companies will search your “Interests” or “Activities” to direct specific advertisements to you

13. Replacing Human Interaction People who are heavily involved in social networking sites are, ironically, often socially isolated Couples, families and even friends may use the sites more often than interacting with each other “The use of social networking sites can cause personality and brain disorders in children, such as the inability to have real conversations, limited attention spans ... and self-centered personalities. The fast pace of the sites may rewire the brain with repeated exposure because parts of the brain used for traditional, offline activities become underused.”

14. What Now? Social networking has many benefits – just use common sense and discretion. Limit your usage of social networking sites Make sure your privacy is strictly protected Many sites have a “Privacy Settings” page in which you can adjust your options to be more robust If you have children: Offer guidance and rules regarding social networking Monitor their interactions online, especially if it becomes threatening or harmful