Social Networking Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Social Networking - Research Paper Example There is a long list of things one can delve on social networking sites; for example, keeping in touch with family and friends, being "nosey", expressing personal opinions and views, meeting people with similar interests, and also for specific and distinct reasons like documenting trips, availing of opportunities to date, and sharing photographs, music, video clips, and other endeavors. In this regard, the essay aims to find out everything there is to know about social networking and the ethical issues that relate to it. The discourse would initially trace its origin, define social networking, identify the pros and cons of being involved in these sites, and determine the ethical issues pervading social networking sites (SNSs). Finally, policy recommendation pertinent to major ethical principles seen to be applicable in social networking sites would be proffered. Social Networking: Ethical Issues Reviewed Contemporary generation has joined the bandwagon of active participants in socia l networking sites (SNSs) that one wonders if all users really know its origin and the intricate details that envelope its existence. For sure, today’s social network patronizers could not even imagine a world without SNSs. Just like any organizational structure, SNSs are bound by ethical standards and codes of moral conduct and discipline that participants are expected to adhere to and that SNSs themselves, are obliged to comply. The current research aims to find out everything there is to know about social networking and the ethical issues that relate to it. The discourse would initially trace its origin, define social networking, identify the pros and cons of being involved in these sites, and determine the ethical issues pervading social networking sites (SNSs). Finally, policy recommendation pertinent to major ethical principles seen to be applicable in social networking sites would be proffered. Historical Background In a study conducted by Boyd and Ellison (2007), the origin of SNS, first recognizable, was traced in 1997, through the efforts and creative design of SixDegrees.com. As averred, â€Å"SixDegrees.com allowed users to create profiles, list their Friends and, beginning in 1998, surf the Friends lists† (Boyd & Ellison, 2007, par. 15). On the other hand, Davies (2010) presented an even earlier discovery of SNSs historical beginnings with a social media site reported to be created by Randy Conrad, Classmates.com, where the website’s aim was to help â€Å"helps members find, connect and keep in touch with friends and acquaintances from school life. Classmates has more than 40 million active members in the US and Canada. In early 2008, Nielson Online ranked Classmates as number 3 in unique monthly visitors among social networking sites† (Davies, 2011, par. 2). The figure below illustrates historical date lines of major SNSs as presented by Boyd and Ellison (2007, par. 19): Source: Boyd and Ellison (2007) After 2006, Davi es’ timeline indicate that the newest addition to the SNSs was Google.com/buzz, which as reportedly designed â€Å"to integrate the googles web-based program, G-mail. Shared links and messages show up in the user’s inbox. Buzz focuses on  integrating  photos, videos and links as part of the â€Å"conversations† aspects of G-mail like conversation threading† (Davies, 2011, par. 10). Definitions of SNSs Boyd and Ellison (2007) defined SNSs as â€Å"web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others