Disadvantages of Using Social Networks

The enforce of affectionate network sites has increased exponentially and is a ball-shaped phenomenon. Online fond network sites provide some(prenominal) benefits. For example, populate can act with early(a)s, as if they were close friends. In addition, kindly network sites help passel connect with separates who take the same interests pot can share news, photographs, and videos with early(a) online members. According to a Nielsen Online report, by the end of 2008, 66. 8 part of net functionrs around the world had visited social network sites that year, whereas, only 65. 1 percent had gone online to access email. Gale) Social networks provide the opportunity for an go on aim of communication and functionality. However, social networks also have serious disadvantages, such as violation of confidentiality and privacy, unforeseen consequences, and say-soity threat to personal sentry duty. Today, communication on the Internet has become increasingly popular. Million s of people around the world use websites, such as Myspace, Facebook, and LinkedIn. People now have benefits of these websites, including significantly advanced communication and functionality which have never been seen or imagined before.For instance, one advantage is that like a shots doctors are communicating with their patients by using social media. out front social media became a vital form of communication, doctors and patients only could connect to from each one other by using telephone, otherwise, patients had to visit the doctors chest of drawers which takes time and money as well. About 20 percent of patients already use social media to glean healthcare schooling, according to an April survey by the National Research Corporation, a healthcare research firm establish in Lincoln, Neb. Haupt) However, on that point are also some puny points of communicating through using social media between patients and physicians. Sometimes, the information that gets passed on is n ot always accurate because anyone can post. Moreover, since some doctors answer health check questions through social media, privacy becomes a concern. If patients provide details just about a diagnosis or treatment, the doctor might accidentally circulate patients individualism. To maintain confidentiality, personal questions should still be handled through doctors office visits or phone calls.Most people who use social media are not apprised of the potential violation of their privacy and unforeseen consequences. Websites whitethorn give people a false impression of being anonymous. In fact, many people post embarrassing and unethical content in text, photos, and videos. Because the Internet is a text-centered telecommunication, people may lose their ethics and responsibility. In actuality, serious consequences have occurred to people whose online behavior has been made public. Students have been expelled from high schools and colleges.Students have been denied acceptances t o intern programs, admission to independent high schools, colleges, and jobs. Students, and their parents, have been sued for insult and defamation of feature. (Fodeman, Monroe) These instances occurred all because of the content people have posted in their social network accounts. Furthermore, according to Dr. Nora Barnes, Director for the Center of Marketing Research at UMASS Darmouth, more than 20% of colleges and universities search social networks for their admission candidates. Fodeman, Monroe) Finally, peoples privacy may be violated by police, and other establishment agencies that have access to Facebook pages. In addition, Facebook itself sells their members information to third party marketers unforced to pay the fees. As a result, people should seriously be assured of their privacy concerns and perceive that other people are trolling their accounts. Finally, safety has also become an issue for social network members. Safety concerns implicate ads, fake websites, ide ntity theft and stalkers. Online social networks generate revenues through advertising.Companies take information from online social network sites. Based on this data, companies advertise and nominate a profile page, inviting members to join or become fans. Companies may use these pages to promote events, such as concerts, free product giveaways, special sales, and other activities. In fact, there are frequent scams targeting people in their social networks, especially Facebook and My Space. Over the last few years, more than 14,000 users were damaged by fake MySpace pages into visiting music web sites to purchase music for $2-3 per album.Instead of get music, the site charged $300-600 to their credit cards. (Fodeman, Monroe) Other major safety concerns hold cybercriminals, and stalking. People can easily gain access to sensitive information from online social networks, making users in danger to identity theft and other crimes. Computer security firm Sophos reported in February 2010 that there had been an terrific increase in spammers and hackers using online social network sites to find potential victims. Gale) The amount of receiving spam and sending viruses, worms, or other malicious software is increasing. Besides, stalkers can use networks to keep track of their victims activities. Therefore, online users should be cautious when they get with strangers online. In fact, it is very easy for people to pretend to be somebody who they are not. It is not mandatory for people to reveal their true identity online. As a result, users must be careful about shock new online friends in person and should never arrange a meeting unless it is in a public place and others know about it.In conclusion, social networks provide an advanced level of communication and functionality. On one hand, by communication online, doctors and patients may save time and money. On the other hand, there are serious disadvantages to using social networks. These disadvantages include a potential violation of privacy and confidentiality. There may be unforeseen consequences to lineup text, photos and videos online. For example, students may be expelled from school. Companies collect data from social networks to advertise online.Individual users may not be able to distinguish fake websites. Also, the potential molest of identity theft is serious. Furthermore, stalkers and impostors find it easy to create false identities online. Therefore, personal safety is a major concern for online users. There are several other implications for harmful consequences of social networks. One such example that may be explored is global safety. For instance, Wikileaks posed a danger to political world(prenominal) relations.