Post cards and phone calls are a thing of the past now that technology has caught up with the demand for social communication. Most of us on normal occasions are using sites like Facebook and Myspace to post things like upcoming shows, parties and adding hilarious pictures from last weekends party to a profile.Lately however, social networking sites including MSN Instant messenger have been used for much more complicated things. Things that normally or at least 3 years ago would be face-to-face. Those that hurt others and even those that bring people together. More and more people are using these sites for unconventional ways of expressing feelings and voicing opinions. Clearly we are all aware that inappropriate conversations over the Internet that have been an issue for some time now, but recently, middle school and high school student are using social networking site to verbally attack others. Only with these new sites those attacks stay posted for everyone to see. The Internet is like a bathroom wall these days. People are getting teased, humiliated and even threatened over these communication sites. Should we put a stop to all these sites? Should people realize these are just words and they supposedly cant hurt you? I don't necessarily have the answer to those questions but there are others exploring the issue.Should students be disciplined for off-campus communication?
That is one of many questions PARADE writer Rosalind Wiseman talks about in her article http://www.parade.com/articles/editions/2007/edition_02-25-2007/Cyberbullying.At the other end of the social communication ladder some people are turning to networking sites for support and grievance. Sadly, a 22-year old college student was killed by a hit and run near our UO campus. Following his unfortunate death, family and friends found comfort in providing those close to the victim and others wanting to pay respects with a Facebook site dedicated to the memory of this man.
http://oregon.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2248341019
Regardless of what a persons intentions are for the these social site, one thing is clear, they are hear to stay. Whether it brings people together or tears them apart, social networking sites have taken communication to the next level.
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