Social Networks - Article Example

Social Networks Introduction Social networks consist of people and even encompass relationships between pairs. These factors can also be represented in the form of graphs where people are vertices and relationships form the edges. Internet has transformed the concept of social networks through massive data storage and effective networking. Computer science has enhanced the level of efficiency as large volumes of data cannot be easily handled by an individual. The evolution of social networking has both positive as well as negative consequences. The positivity is reflected through group formation, friendship, networking and sharing of ideas. On the contrary the negative influence can be well stated through conflicts and rivalry. Social networks is all about linking people from across the globe and advancement of technology with the help of computer science has enabled to communicate effectively with wide range of people at the least time possible. Authors who have researched on this topic has different point of view. Some identifies the negative influences of social networks and on the contrary some authors justify the importance of social networks in the present scenario. Textbook Summary on Social Networks According to Kershner, computers in the present decade have become one of the most essential components in an individual’s life. The emergence of computer science has been able to help in wide area may that be in laboratories or in communicating with people through various social networking sites. The author in this particular chapter has summarized the concepts behind social networks in terms of the different models and graphs that are incorporated so as to design the best network structure possible (Kershner, 1990).The authors apart from elaborating on the significance of social networks have also included the concept of centrality in social networks in his study. The aspect of graph centrality and points in social network has been reviewed in the study. The study states that there are a total of nine measures of centrality that are based on three conceptual frameworks. The study also encompasses the impact of centrality on the processes of a group. The author has been able to highlight how the combination of these three centrality points facilitates designing of effective social network. Summary of Journal 1 According to the journal New Media & Society, social networks has been stated as a risky mechanism especially for the young generation who makes maximum utilization of social networking sites. The explosion that is caused through some of the social networking sites such as MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, etc., is considered to be a great opportunity for the young generation. However the author states that these medium of building social networks has caused serious threat to privacy and influence youngsters towards more of self display. The younger generation uses these medium in order to create elaborate and decorated identity and on the other hand older generation prefers simple identity so as to link with others and establish authentic relationships (Livingstone, 2008).The factors of opportunity and risks are both associated with social networking sites and it depends on the usage of these sites. The other term that has been included in this journal is that of mediation which states the effective use of one or media so to communicate with other people on a common platform through sharing of ideas and views. Summary of Journal 2 According to the journal Americas Conference on Information Systems, there are two factors that has be outlined in respect to incorporation of computer science in formation of social networks that is privacy and trust. Over the past few years the virtual community for building social networks through effective social media platform has grown in a rapid pace. This journal has been able to establish relationships between the privacy and trust with that of willingness of an individual to share information and even to build relationships with people situated across the globe. The survey that had been conducted as included in the journal states that people believe that through this social network sites it is not as necessary to establish trust as it is the scenario in the case of face to face interaction between individuals (Dwyer, Hiltz & Passerini, 2007).In case of online sites social interaction is not automatically formed on the basis of willingness and trust. The study even states that online relationship or social networks are formed in such a situation where the level of privacy and trust is very low. Analysis of point of view of author of the textbook The author has been able to reflect upon the technical dimensions of setting up a social network or rather designing such an effective network. The most important factor in social networks is that of centrality and this factor impacts the process of a group. However the author has not been able to put forward an analysis on the impact of social networks on the lives of people. Through this study it can be easily portrayed the requirements and the elements that needs to be taken into consideration while designing a social network. It even summarizes the importance of computer science which highlights the need for social networking sites for an individual. The author views on centrality helps in understanding the intricacies that exist within the network formation. The networking sites are considered to be a medium to communicate across the world bur from the author’s view point it can be stated as a platform that needs to be deal with properly so as to avoid any such risky circumstances which would disrupt the formation of social relationships. Analysis of point of view of author of the Journal 1 As per the author teenagers constitute the maximum percentage of the users of social networking sites. The author has state that such technological advancement has helped in certain situations but also encompasses certain risky situations that needs to be avoided. As per the author’s study it can be stated that risk that is associated with such new technology is majorly in terms of privacy and over expressive nature of the modern teenagers. Such a platform facilitates the level of communication that had faced a lot of challenges when there was no sign of evolution of computer science. This medium is not only for social interaction but also for effectively executing professional tasks. The channels that can be created through this form of platform may that be in personal context or in professional context is incredible. The analysis that can be drawn through the study is majorly that individuals needs to reach a position of self actualization while associating themselves with such a platform so that they are able to clearly draw a distinction between the risks and opportunity. Analysis of point of view of author of the Journal 2 The author states that social network has been an approach that helps in developing relationships amongst individual. With the evolution of new technologies and growth in computer science in the present era the networking approach has been able to gain a lot of significance. As per the journal it can be stated that trust and privacy are interconnected elements that are not dependent on the willingness of an individual to share information and nor does it differs from one site to another. Social relationships can only be developed well when there is certain degree of trust and more of information sharing amongst the individuals. Though the factor of privacy would still remain an issue as it totally depends on an individual to what extent such networking platform affects their lives. On the contrary it can be stated as per the journal that it is not a flaw in the social networking sites but in the willingness of an individual to share information in these social network platforms. Communication should be only objective of an individual while getting associated with such social networks or it may have a negative influence on the individual. Comparison of the views of authors in relation to the topic The authors through their study have been able to clearly depict the factors that are related to the aspect of social networking. The textbook author portrays the concept of graphical centrality in structures of social networks but at same time there is a lot of similarity between his study and that of other two scholarly articles simply because of the fact that it has been able to highlight the pros and cons that are linked with social networks. The author of the first journal states the issue of privacy concern that are majorly associated with the teenagers but on the other hand the author of the second journal states that trust and privacy has no relation with the type of networking sites or an individual but it is rather dependent on the willingness towards information sharing. The author of the second journal though agree with the negative impacts that such social networks has been causing on lives of individual but at the same time is reluctant towards the concept of more affect on the younger generation. Personal point of view analysis Social networks has always proves to be one of the most effective way that helps in building relationships with wide range of people as well as acquire sufficient information. The evolution of computer science has been able to support the growth and expansion of the concept of social networks across the globe through designing of well structured network sites. However there are certain negative implications of social networks that prevail which need to be properly dealt with by an individual. The major reason behind this is that security issues can greatly impact the social relationships that are built by an individual. While using networking sites it should be kept in concern that such sites do not guarantee high privacy level so it is up to an individual on the degree of information one wants to share across such a platform. The communication and formation of social networks can only be strong when the trust level has been established between the sender and receiver and at the same time self-precaution has been taken so as to safeguard privacy. Conclusion The concept of social networking has been gaining importance from the past few years. There are various graphs and models that are incorporated so as to build effective frameworks and to facilitate more of networking across the globe. The major advantages that are given by such social networks are in the form of communication and wide exchange of information and ideas. The major disadvantages of such a platform are in terms of privacy and security. In the present scenario there are vast numbers of such sites that supports social networking and helps a sender to communicate by using different form of media with its receiver. Such a phenomenon is known as mediation and there even exist new advanced technologies in the sites that enhance relationship building between individuals. The only factor that needs to be considered by an individual is limited sharing of information in such networking sites so that there is no such issue related to security or privacy. References Dwyer, C., Hiltz, S. R., & Passerini, K. (2007). Trust and Privacy Concern within Social Networking Sites. Americas Conference on Information Systems. Print. Kershner, H. G. (1990). Introduction to Computer Literacy. Massachusetts: D.C. Heath. Print. Livingstone, S. (2008). Taking risky opportunities in youthful content creation: teenagers’ use of social networking sites for intimacy, privacy and self-expression. New Media & Society. Vol. 10(3), pp. 393-411. Print. Read More