Making friends and contacts is not just person to person interaction anymore. The Internet and its’ host of social networks have people forming ‘friendships’ anywhere in the world, its a whole new way to share information. Sure you could always email or IM chat with people, but social networking allows the sharing of more than just information. Profiles, personal views, photos, videos, common interest groups and networks are all part of this very popular Web 2.0 utility. You control the amount of information you provide or others can read as well who your friends are. The ability to join interest groups or networks is also very social function. The groups or networks you belong too also tell people about the person you are.
I have had a Facebook account for many months and it is amazing to see the amount of information myself and others are willing to make public. The issue of privacy is totally reinvented in a social network. Sure you can limit what people can see, but many people don’t seem to be as concerned about the personal information they reveal to others in the social network. How will privacy issues change? It is a very interesting development. I really like Facebook. Features such as the mini feed and the Wall are neat extras apart from the standard profile, photos, groups etc.
Social networks are taking the net by storm and are becoming increasingly popular. Just think, Facebook started in 2004 and now has over 19 million members. So… are you a social butterfly?
