Whether you're updating your tweets, or snapping a picture on Instagram, social networking has become a large part of today's society and it continues to increase in popularity. Social networking refers to the interaction between individuals through electronic or virtual means such as Facebook, Myspace, or Twitter. It allows for easier communication and sharing of media such as pictures or videos. It is so easy that you can easily communicate with someone right through the comfort of your room. But, is all this really a benefit? With the increase of availability of technology and access of the World Wide Web, we are easily exposed to the now, very popular social networks. It has become so popular, that almost every individual take part in social networking and they are constantly seen glued to their computers, or cellphones without the slightest attention of their surroundings. It is easily addictive and is so easily obtainable that an individual can gain access to a social networking site effortlessly, simply through a mobile device. Due to this fact, many people are now spending most of their time on social networking, so much that it almost becomes a priority. Growing up as a teenager, I was also a user of Facebook, Myspace, Skype and many other social networks, and it was my priority. I was constantly using one or the other and often fail to recognize how much of my time was consumed and the effect that came along with it. It became a big part of my life and before i knew it, I was also glued to my computer. As an individual who was also involved, social networking has peak my interests, and has inspire me to dig deep into the topic. Through my experiences social networking yield both positive and negative effects, it can be either beneficial or a complete detriment. With that in mind, is social networking really a benefit to our society?

My interest in social networking has first lead me to an article i found through Computer database, titled "Facebook Impact on Student Grades Raises New Questions for Business" from the Channel insider journal by Ziff Davis enterprises. The article illustrates the risk social networking posed on student's academic performances and the potential effect that social networking brings to today's society. The author provides several examples as to why social networking had such a large impact on students' academic performances. The writer included the story of Merck Chief Information Officer J. Chris Scarlet, and his daughter's idea of studying which comprised of, "iPod blaring, cellphone buzzing with text message, Facebook page open and, off to the side, an open textbook". The author also provided a research contrasting students that are regular social networkers and students who spend most of their time offline. Needless to say, students who spend most of their time offline had a higher GPA average as oppose to those who are always on Facebook, or Myspace, etc. The author then moves on to discussing social networking and it's "acceptance among all demographics," implying that this problem not only persist to the youth population but to the older population of the society as well. Because this now appeals to almost the entire population, the author introduces possible issues such as hackers and malware. Though this may seem a serious threat, the author ensures that there are security companies creating products that would defend against such threat.

After reading it several time, I found that I can easily relate to the topic presented in this article. Having been a user of several social networks, I discover that the time I spend on social networks such as Facebook, could easily be used to finish a psychology project or my English assignment. Because the article was so relatable, the author's point was easily carried across and reinforced that it became easy to comprehend. I like that the author also provided logos, a research that showed students' performance based on the time they spent on Facebook. However, this research doesn't effectively reinforce his argument. The research fails to recognize other contributing factor that may affect a student's performance along with social networking. For example students whose grades were affected by social networking may have other factors that may add to the lower grades such as extracurricular activities, or responsibilities at home. Also, the research conductor, Aryn Karpinski cannot officially confirms that Facebook causes students to focus less on their work, but that there are some correlation between lower GPAs and Facebook. This research doesn't officially declare that social network is the main cost and leaves a flaw in the argument, essentially leaving room for doubts.

After looking into the negative aspects of social networking, i decided to take a different viewpoint and found the article, "'Safe' Social Networking Tailored for K-12 Schools" through the SIRS Knowledge database. The article was from Education Weekly, and author Michelle R. Davis describes the positive and efficient way of using social networking towards the improvement of education. Davis reveals a scenario where students get the chance of chatting with important historic figures, taking part in memorable events such as the signing of the Declaration of independence, as well as playing a vital role in past histories. This immediately grabbed my attention because this article explores a very different possibility, which is the positive integration of social networking and education. I became very doubtful of the article because in my experience, social networking was a distraction from school work, however Davis argues that when used correctly, social networking can effectively increase student's academic performances, and "engage students who feel at home on such sites". Davis explains academic social networking sites like "Edmodo" provides security that allow students to comfortably communicate and interact with their peers and teachers. Such sites features security that only allows conversation between students upon the approval of teachers as well as scanners for inappropriate materials, as a result, "[these] sites provide a distinction between socializing and interaction". She also points out that these education sites capture the attention of student and encourage a high level of discussion. The sites allow students to share their work and trade feedbacks with each other and thus greatly improve their writing. Davis stresses the importance of communication when sharing work as students often time provide ideas and examples that teachers may not have thought about. As an example Davis provided an example of a fifth grader named Alexander Weinrich who is particularly fond of "Edmodo". Alexander likes using the social networking sites because it lets him focus on schoolwork without the strain and stress it may cause offline. Alexander is allowed to have discussion on books he has been reading and has help with assignments that may be difficult for him. The easy atmosphere and the ability to communicate with his classmate at an instant makes "homework more interesting and not so boring," said Weinrich. However, all these benefit doesn't come without a price. Davis mentioned that academic social networking sites require a subscription fee, though it may seem as little as $5.00 per person, schools would have to put forward as much as "$5,000 year for services". Not to fret, for Davis mentioned that "Edmodo" is free to use and other academic social sites are working towards a free subscriptions for students.

Michelle R. Davis's article changes the way I normally view social networking. In my experience social networking sites were a way to relax and socialize with friends and family. As seen from the previous article, "Facebook Impact on Student Grades Raises New Questions for Business," social networking has become well known as a time consumer. Society has depicted social network as a detriment for it takes up our time and distracts us from the work at hand.