What is Social Networking?

Over the last eight or so years, websites like FaceBook and Myspace have emerged and developed into massive social networks.

So, you're probably wondering what a social network is. By definition it is "An association of people drawn together by family, work or hobby." Some of you may know that Friendster was actually the first social networking site to emerge.

Basically, the whole idea of a social networking site is to keep in contact with friends, and family. However in recent times these websites have taken a mainstream turn.

*Myspace

Thought I would talk about this social networking website first. After all, Myspace has changed the whole social networking site business.

From teens to the elderly, tons of people have Myspace pages. As stated above, the main purpose of websites like Myspace is to enable users to keep in contact with friends and family. However, these websites do have an extended purpose, and that is to promote yourself.

Myspace and other networking websites have become somewhat of a breeding ground from promoters, everyone from bands to celebrities create social networking sites in hopes that people will notice them. Perhaps that is one reason Myspace is so popular?

*FaceBook

This social networking website is basically just like Myspace, only it has slightly different features and a totally different layout. The good thing about most social networking websites is they give you a chance to not only promote yourself, but to show off your web designing skills.

Of course not everyone designs their own Myspace layout, but for those that do they get noticed pretty quickly. Sadly, one bad thing about these websites is that anyone can spam messages or even stalk other members if they aren't blocked by that user.

If you are a parent and have a child or a teen I recommend that you keep an eye on what they do while using social networking websites.

*It was only a matter of time

Yep, you guessed it, I believe that it was only a matter of time before these social networks emerged, however no-one knew exactly when they would appear. What is my reasoning for believing they were bound to show up?

People love to keep in contact with one another, instant messengers like AIM, MSN messenger, and Yahoo messenger proved that. The next logic step was to create a website that could be used somewhat like a messenger, only a person could have a page to themselves.

That page would become a part of how that person promotes themselves, or shows off whom they are. Now, cultures from around the world can learn all sorts of things about each other without even leaving home.

*The future of social networking?

Obviously, there will be quite an amazing future for social networking websites. They will continue to expand and grow, bringing in more users.

Perhaps one day Myspace will become the next Microsoft? You never know, stranger things have happened.

Furthermore, I believe that one day social networking websites will become so advanced that everyone may join in on the fun. Classmates.com, one of many social networks, allows you to contact old school buddies, the more websites like this pop up, the more mainstream they become.

Only time will tell as to how social networking websites grow and expand. This may get a bit interesting after all.