Social Networking Dangers

            Myspace, aim accounts, msn messenger, and facebook. These are just some of the social networks that are popularly used to talk amongst peers, family, as well as friends. These domains can be used for positive social means, and unfortunately negative social means as well. They can be used so individuals can express themselves or used to manipulate a group or individual. In the case of Megan Meir, she was the individual who was clearly manipulated. Her suicide, caused by cyber bullying, grabbed national attention creating quite a stir amongst parents of children who often used these social networks. Having grown up as an individual who used nearly everyone of these networks, it became eye opening to myself and to my siblings of how dangerous these networks could really be, in the present and possible future as well. It now, more than ever has become so crucial for users to watch what the post or comment on as it could put them in some type of danger.

            Social networking has engulfed today’s teen. Studies according to common sense media state that more than half of every teen feels compelled to check their media site every single day. Its mainstay in culture as repeated before has benefits, as well as determents that can potentially affect individuals now or later in their future. Minus the Internet predation, which definitely should not go unnoticed amongst those who use these sites, there are additional reasoning’s as to why social networking can be dangerous for the user. In a study conducted by Kaplan in 2008, "one in 10 college admissions officers routinely check out college applicants' Facebook and Myspace pages". They want to get a better understanding of the individual, and what better way than to look at a social network they use and update daily. Not only do undergraduate admissions do this, but also graduate admissions as well as prospective employers often surf networking sights to better evaluate candidates. Adding to the networking surfers are attorneys and lawyers. Whenever a case is received, the respective lawyers research for information of all those involved. A case involving a Rhode Island student’s drunk driving incident resulted in having him being sentenced to prison, when his original sentence was much shorter. This was because his facebook page featured him partying merely days after he left a woman clinging to life in the hospital after his reckless car accident, revealing to the judge that he showed no remorse. Other instances include child pornography cases that can also have legal issue, if individual’s nude or scantly clothed photos surface with out permission.

These are merely minor examples of social networking that can be great danger to users, potentially leading to consequences in the present or down the road. What an individual does will could affect their acceptance, it could lead to cyber bullying, and it could leave a blemish on their legal record for the rest of their life. It is extremely vital to any user of social networks to be very cautious with what they say and do on their specific sight. They need to make sure they steer clear of the dangers, and safely use their social networks.