Social networking

  
 Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific
groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood
subdivision . Although social networking is possible in person ,
especially in the workplace , universities, and high schools, it is
most popular online .
This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces,
the internet is filled with millions of individuals who
are looking to meet other people , to gather and share first-hand
information and experiences about cooking,
golfing, gardening,  developing friendships or professional
alliances, finding employment, business-to-business marketing
When it comes to online etc social networking, websites
are commonly used .
The topics and interests are as varied and rich as the story of our
These websites are known world. as social sites. Social
networking websites function like an online
community of internet users. 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 .
 BENEFITS
• Socialization is the main benefit
• Include reading the profile pages of other members
and possibly even contacting them.

•The friends that we can make are just one of the

many benefits to social networking only .

•We can remain connected to our loved ones.

•Diversity as it gives opportunity to people all round

the world
•Distance holds no meaning.

•Might learn a thing or two about new cultures or

new languages and learning is always a good thing.
• Social sites have become very popular. Many of us use a social
site to stay in touch with family and friends. These sites
include Face book , MySpace and Friendster to name a few.
Many of us also use social sites such as LinkedIn to keep in
touch with business contacts and network to further our
careers. What many people may not realize is that social sites
can also be used to change the world , or at least make it a
better place .

• The internet has made it possible for everybody  to get

involved with organizations that were designed to improve the
lives of the people around us. There are a number of social
sites that help; many are not-for-profit though there are some
that are for profit. There are social sites for everything from
helping to make you smarter to educating people on the truth
about alcohol and marijuana to ending world hunger and
poverty. Our purpose here is to introduce you to those sites,
and show you how to get involved from the comfort of your
home .
There are few instances of user friendly sites as follows
Breakthrough- Bring Human Rights Home
http://www.breakthrough.tv/  Breakthrough is an innovative, international
human rights organization using the power of popular culture, media, and
community mobilization to transform public attitudes and advance equality,
justice, and dignity in India, the United States and other parts of the
world.

If you or someone that you love is struggling with addiction, then you may
be interested in the social site Phoenix House(
http://www.phoenixhouse.org).

This foundation was started by people who understood what addiction was,
and they had the same desire to conquer their addictions and help others
conquer theirs. The Phoenix House really started in 1967 by 6 heroin
addicts who came together in a detoxification program in Manhattan. This
site offers you ways to get involved, and what is more important, ways for
you to understand what a person who is suffering from an addiction is
going through. They offer assessments and family education and support
groups as well as educational information on illicit drugs, and what the
addiction process is. Their goal is to help take people who are living
including data theft and viruses, which are on the rise. The
THREATS
most prevalent danger though often involves online predators
or individuals who claim to be someone that they are not.
Although danger does exist with networking online, it also
exists in the real world, too.
By being aware of your cyber-surroundings and who you are
talking to, you should be able to safely enjoy social
networking online. It will take many phone conversations to
get to know someone, but you really won't be able to make a
clear judgment until you can meet each other in person.  Just
use common sense and listen to your inner voice; it will tell
you when something doesn't feel right about the online
conversations taking place.
Once you are well informed and comfortable with your
findings, you can begin your search from hundreds of
networking communities to join. This can easily be done by
 Addiction to Social Sites?
Have you heard of the term Internet Addiction Disorder? What about Facebook
Addiction, Internet Junkie, Net Junkie, or Nethead? Any of these labels sound
familiar?
What about "online-a-holic?”

These unflattering labels are used to categorize and identify an individual’s

obsessive dependence with the Internet, more commonly known as Internet
Addiction Disorder, or IAD. Four well-known traits behind Internet Addiction
Disorder are: 
(1) Excessive computer use typically associated with loss of spatial time
perception; neglect of basic human drives, proper nutrition, personal hygiene,
relationships;
(2) Feelings of isolation, withdrawal, depression and
extreme agitation, high-anxiety if the computer is
unavailable or breaks down;

(3) Low tolerance levels, including an unjustifiable

need for bigger, better, faster computer
equipment, the latest and greatest software; and

(4) Low accomplishment level, procrastination, lying,

social isolation and chronic fatigue.
 How did this happen?
It’s not hard to understand why the number of Internet-related psychological disorders has
increased in recent years.

•But on an emotional and spiritual level, it is hard to understand. Many people unconsciously
use the fantasy world of the Internet to escape unpleasant family dynamics, drug abuse,
alcoholism, or stressful work-related conditions and often turn to the Internet and social networks
for comfort, familiarity, or support.  These underlying issues have the potential to set the stage
for IAD.

• With teenagers, many parents instinctively notice the changes and choose to simply
"observe,"  hoping perhaps that it will go away or shrug it off to growing pains and assume it will
“pass” given enough time. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t.

•Whether it's a negative label, compulsion, or certifiable disorder, IAD is here, it’s real and if you
know someone who is showing the signs of IAD, it’s better to face it early on than to ignore it.

• Some network users recognize they’re spending way too much time on social sites and wean
themselves off.

•Others simply get bored and are “totally over it,”

Finding Love Online
In the past, relationships were largely developed through chance
meetings, setups or recommendations from friends, or from a friendship
that flourished into love and eventually marriage . More and more
people rely on the internet when it comes to finding romance .

When many individuals go in search for love online , they head to

online dating websites. dating websites are actually social networking
websites

 What sets online dating websites apart from traditional social

networking sites is that all the members in a dating website community
 are generally looking for a relationship.

 Social networking websites focus on many different aspects of life ,

which makes it easier to find and make connections with other people
 DATING
When you join a traditional social networking site , one that
allows almost anyone to join , it's hard to tell what a person may
actually be looking for. A large number of network users are
looking to fall in love , while others are looking for friendships.
Online dating websites help to eliminate confusion and
awkward moments because they are created and maintained for
a specific audience - people who are looking to actually meet,
date and make a life-long commitment.

Most online dating websites allow a limited number of views of

its member's photographs with a condensed version of their
personal profile . Paying for a membership then allows you to
read the entire biography and learn more about the person and
whether you want to contact them or not. The first point of
contact will probably be through email exhange . The second
would be phone conversations or texting where a more personal
exchange of information occurs and then then deciding to
arrange a first date . Some site members call them meetings rather
 How to help?
1. Listen and be there for those that need us. It’s not always easy to “just listen"
because we tend to judge and criticize but really listening is exactly what is
needed; especially with young teens. A lot of parents don’t get it that kids have
their own path to walk, too, and part of the parenting role is to guide them along
that path.

2. If you feel like you’re spending too much time on social networks and ignoring
your life but can’t control yourself, then talk to someone. It will help! If you
don’t like the hide-and-seek dynamics of professional counseling,
consider changing your beliefs and seek out help to get there.  Search self-help
books on energy therapy, EFT, meditation, anything that resonant with you.

3. Decide if you need take a proactive stance with your children’s computer and
Many countries, including the United States, have enacted laws against the
possession or distribution of certain material, such as child pornography,
via the Internet, but do not mandate filtering software's.

There are many free and commercially available software programs, called
content-control software, with which a user can choose to block offensive
websites on individual computers or networks, in order to limit a child's
access to objectionable materials or depiction of violence.”

The Internet and social networks were not created to bring disharmony
into our lives. They were created to allow communication among people and
that's a good thing.

Happy (and Healthy) Social Networking!