Introduction
Social network sites (SNSs) have drawn millions of users, many of whom have tailored them to their everyday needs. SNSs include Facebook, Bebo, 43 Things, BlackPlanet, and Athlinks, among others. Social network sites have made communication easy throughout the globe. In fact, they have spurred globalization across the world. In the process, SNSs have brought about many consequences.
While some consequences have been beneficial, others have been damaging. Moreover, some users have been addicted to SNSs. In essence, relationship between people and SNSs has been created. This paper will explore consequences of relationships formed between SNSs and individuals (Gomez-arias & Genin, 2009).
Social Network Sites
Social network sites can be defined as web-based services, which enable people to connect with others either through open or through closed platforms. These sites also enable users to load their profiles in public as well as access other people’s profile. It is also essential to note that SNSs enable people to traverse as well as view list of connections within their boundary.
Essentially, SNSs permit people to communicate, share pictures, share videos, download and upload information as well as share ideas. In fact, SNSs sites like Facebook and LinkedIn have drawn professionals and academicians with the aim of sharing ideas.
Additionally, SNSs have enabled transaction of business deals throughout the world. Notably, SNSs have made the world into a small space where people can communicate and share information from one end of the world to another. However, this has also come with its consequences, which include addiction and crime, among others (Hampton, Sessions, Rainie & Purcell, 2011).
Relationship formed between Individuals and Social networking Sites
SNSs have created a lasting bond with it users. For instance, Facebook users tend to log into their accounts at least once paper day. Moreover, other users log into their Facebook accounts multiple times per day. This is also similar to twitter users as well as other SNSs users. From this relation, it can be noted that people have formed relationships with SNSs. In this regard, SNS are considered as lifestyles.
This bond has led to many consequences. It is necessary to note that some people have lost their jobs because of SNSs. Moreover, homes have broken because of SNSs, especially dating sites. In essence, it can be noted that the bond between SNS and individuals have grown tremendously over the years. This has also been fortified by the fact that SNSs can be accessed through mobile handsets (Liu & Tsai, 2012).
Consequences of relationships formed between individual and SNS
Relationships between individuals and SNSs have brought about many consequences. These include addiction to SNSs, social isolation, human-to-human relationships, and productivity, among others. Firstly, it should be noted that when the bond between an individual and SNS like Facebook or Twitter strengthens, there is a possibility of addition. Once one is addicted, he/she will spend most of time in SNSs.
This will lead to more repercussions than before. For instance, his/her productivity level will reduce. This has the propensity of making such an individual lazy. A number of individuals in the U.S. alone have been sacked because of uncontrolled use of SNSs.
When one is controlled by SNS, he/she individual cannot function properly; this can make him/her perverse. Addiction is therefore one of the worst consequences of relationships between individuals and SNSs (Boyd & Ellison, 2007).
Another consequence of relationship between people and SNSs is increased social isolation. According to a survey in the United States, it was found that out of 2255 participants, there were 1787 internet users. Consequently, out of the 1787 internet users, there were 975 SNSs users. However, it should be noted that these figures portrayed an increasing trend since November 2010.
It is estimated that more than half of internet users also utilize social networking sites. In essence, the rate of social isolation is soaring due to relationship between users and SNSs. Face to face communication has been reduced. Close contacts are nowadays handled through SNSs. In fact, religious sectors and multinational companies have taken to SNSs to reach out to their customers.
SNSs also reduces physical interaction between people, physical bonding is therefore broken due to availability of networking technology. For instance, families communicating from different parts of the world tend to opt for SNSs instead of physical meetings.
Nonetheless, this relationship has also made communication throughout the world to be easy and affordable. Moreover, it has enabled academicians to share ideas as though they were in classroom. In essence, SNSs have numerous consequences, which could affect an individual positively or negatively (Hampton, Sessions, Rainie & Purcell, 2011).
Conclusion
There are numerous SNSs in the world today. The most prolific ones include Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn, among others. SNSs have worked to globalize the world. Besides, they have made communication easy and affordable. Users have developed close relationships with SNSs.
This has affected them in many ways, for instance, reduced working hours has led to poor productivity. Additionally, it has led to addiction, social isolation as well as reduced physical interactions.
References
Boyd, D. & Ellison, N. (2007). Social Network Sites: Definition, History, and Scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), 11. Web.
Gomez-Arias, J. & Genin, L (2009). Beyond Monetization: Creating Value through Online Social Networks. International Journal of Electronic Business, 7(2), 79-85.
Hampton, K., Sessions, L., Rainie, L., & Purcell, K. (2011). Social networking sites and our lives: The impact of social networking sites on users’ lives. Web.
Liu, Y. & Tsai, Y. (2012).The impact of social networking services (SNS) on college students’ social relationship and private life. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 1(4), 1-10.