Dangers of Social Networking Sites

Is the current craze of these ubiquitous social networking sites becoming too much to

handle? Some say yes, others might disagree. Social networking was created to connect friends and family together. Now, many predators use sites such as Facebook or Myspace to find their prey. This is the source of what parents are stressing about to their children. While many who use social media are enjoying meeting new people, they are also becoming distant from contact with real people and they are involved in a very surprising and dangerous environment.

Around 2005, Myspace and Facebook were popping up on many computer screens; they

allowed people to create a profile and share everything about themselves to the whole world. When social sites first were developed, they only linked people by their name and address. Since sites such as Xanga, Tagged, and Facebook were gaining so much popularity, more users were logging on, and online predators are becoming a problem. These sites are so easy, that it is not that hard for predators to “pose” as another person and trick young adults. It is extremely difficult to differentiate the real person that you are looking for from a fake.

Young adults claim that social networks can help them connect with their friends

and family, and also “meet like-minded people” ( Metz, par. 1). In some cases, business people such as Ron West, claim that he uses Facebook “to become acquainted with new customers”( par. 8). Yes, these types of websites are great tools to stay in touch with old classmatesand faraway family members. It is a great source of communication, but there is always a con to every pro. Even though users are connecting with others, users of social networks never know exact...

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...r stepsister Jordan. She boarded a plane to the Middle East not knowing what to expect. Of course her parents had figured out, and sent the police to come after Katherine. Katherine had put herself into a dangerous situation because she was getting engaged to a person that she had met on Myspace! She had never even met Abdullah before. A lesson that she should have learned when she was young, was to never speak to strangers.

Social networking is becoming increasingly popular which creates more users. These

sites contribute to people having faux emotions and more danger also arises. Do users of these

sites want to put themselves in dangerous situations like Megan or Katherine? Or do they want

to build up a strong relationship with someone and be crushed because it was never real. So be

careful when social media is unexpected and dangerous.