Social networking sites, for instance
Facebook, are thought by some to have
had a detrimental effect on individual
people as well as society and local
communities. However, while I believe
that such sites are mainly beneficial to
the individual, I agree that they have had
a damaging effect on local communities.
With regards to individuals, the impact
that online social media has had on each
individual person has clear advantages.
Firstly, people from different countries
are brought together through such sites
as Facebook whereas before the
development of technology and social
networking sites, people rarely had the
chance to meet or communicate with
anyone outside of their immediate circle
or community. Secondly, Facebook also
has social groups which offer individuals
a chance to meet and participate in
discussions with people who share
common interests.
On the other hand, the effect that
Facebook and other social networking
sites have had on societies and localOn the other hand, the effect that
Facebook and other social networking
sites have had on societies and local
communities can only be seen as
negative. Rather than individual people
taking part in their local community, they
are instead choosing to take more
interest in people online. Consequently,
the people within local communities are
no longer forming close or supportive
relationships. Furthermore, society as a
whole is becoming increasingly
disjointed and fragmented as people
spend more time online with people they
have never met face to face and who they
are unlikely to ever meet in the future.
To conclude, although social networking
sites have brought individuals closer
together, they have not had the same
effect on society or local communities
Local communities should do more to try
and involve local people in local
activities in order to promote the future
of community life.