A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.
Social networking has revolutionized the way we communicate and share information with one another in today's society. Various social networking websites are being used by millions of people everyday on a regular basis and it now seems that social networking is a part of everyday life. The main types of social networking services are those which contain directories of some categories (such as former classmates), means to connect with friends (usually with self-description pages), and recommender systems linked to trust. Popular methods now combine many of these, with MySpace and Facebook being the most widely used in North America.
Why so popular with teens?
Gone are the days when teenagers tie up the only phone in the house for hours or hang out with theirs friends at the local diner, theatre, ball park, etc. Socializing amoungst teens has changed from face-2-face to computer-2-computer or cell phone-2-cell phone. When teens are asked why they join MySpace or Facebook, they say "because that is where my friends are". Their explanation of what they do for hours is vague.... "I don't know... I hang out ... because I'm bored". Teens learn very quickly that they can be anonymous and can say things that they would never dream of saying face-2-face. They can surf through the many profiles on these sites for entertainment. They post photos, personal information about themselves and friends without realizing that the Internet is public and everyone has access to this information.
Social Networking Websites (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc)
On social networking websites, individuals create personal web pages called “profiles” to communicate with others online. MySpace, Facebook , Twitter and other similar websites offer online social networking services designed to connect or "friend" people.
Young people often reveal a great of personal information online including their name, address, birth date, location, numerous telephone and cellular contacts, e–mail addresses, instant messaging user names, and links to other personal Web pages. Since young people are revealing a considerable amount of personal information, as well as multiple ways to contact them online, the danger of phishing, identity theft, cyberstalking and communicating with strangers online is a serious concern.
Does privacy exist on Facebook?
Blogs
A weblog, web log or simply a blog, is a web application which contains periodic posts on a common webpage. These posts are often but not necessarily in reverse chronological order. Such a website would typically be accessible to any Internet user. In other words, this is basically an online personal diary of one's thoughts, beliefs and/or rants. These are gaining popularity in many forums. A few common blog sites are used by teens; livejournal, xanga, mindsay, blogger.
Instant Messaging (IM)
Instant messaging is like chat, except that it's usually a one-on-one experience instead of a group activity. In some ways that's safer if the person the child is messaging is a friend or relative. But it can be dangerous if it's a stranger. Unlike in some chat rooms, there is never anyone else there to monitor activity, so when your child is messaging another person it's as if the two of them are together in a private room. One of the original Instant Messaging programs was Internet Relay Chat (IRC). More recent providers include ICQ, Yahoo Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), and MSN Messenger (msn tricks). Some of the newer versions of IM software now allow you to exchange attachments, such as business documents, photos and other information. (safety and privacy tips for msn).
MSN Messengar
Security flaws and the importing of buddy lists through msn messenger can be detrimental to your child's safety as well. There have been cases where buddy lists contain hundreds of names and people - opening the door to lurkers who will collect information on children that will later be used to "relate" to the child. Go through the buddy list on your child's email account with him/her and ask them if they know each person - if so how do they know them? Have they ever met them? Where? There have also been cases of fictitious accounts and personalities set up to avoid identification of true identity. (article) (Here is a visual guide to understanding MSN).
What is the Social Networking Language?
A new form of shorthand. Teens have developed their own social networking language full of acronyms. Here is just a small sample: PAW - parents are watching; 182 - it means I hate you; KPC - keeping parents clueless; MOS - Mom over shoulder; WYCM - will you call me; LMIRL - let's meet in real life. For more click on the link below.
