A Introduction To What is Social Networking Social Networking can

A Introduction To What is “Social Networking?” “Social Networking” can be considered any group of people that share interests or activities through a online website. Most of the time these networks are built of people who share friends and meet other people through those friends. With the implementation of the world wide web, these sites help destroy the boarders of previous times; now it’s easier to have a “penpal” from Europe than it was from times prior. What’s a “Social Network Service?” Websites that offer social network communities either for free or in rare cases, for a subscription fee. Most commonly known sites like MySpace.com. MySpace.com This is what this site would appear to someone who is browsing the web, without signing into the website. MySpace.com This is what a user’s account would look like when they’re signed in. They can manage photos of themselves on the site, friends, blog entries, and various other aspects of their MySpace page. MySpace.com This is what a MySpace page looks like to other users, logged in or just browsing the MySpace friends network. This displays whatever information a user wants to share with the community or the world wide web. Notice how easy it is to contact the user inside the box highlighted in yellow; granted a user not logged in would need to create a account in order to contact the individual in question. MySpace.com Accounts on MySpace are completely free – anyone with a email address can create an account. It takes 3 easy steps to create a account. Takes less than 5 minutes to create and activate a account. A majority of social networks have registration similar to this. Hi5.com Another social network website. Use to be a “invite-only” network where only friends can add other friends to a “tight-nit” community. Now it’s open to anyone to sign up and meet community members. Hi5.com This is what a Hi5 profile looks like to a user logged in or out. Scams & Pornography Bots It’s a growing trend in social networks for scams or pornography sites to be “spammed” to other uses via their message functions on the site. These “Bots” aren’t users that use the site for how it’s meant; all they do is send out links or fake messages to get any users to accidentally click on their links and get redirected to another website. A redflag as to who these users are typically fall into two categories: 1) users don’t know these individuals and 2) their headers usually have mass names to others. It’s hard to track these “Bots” down due to the fact they make hundreds of random profiles to circulate their “spam” with. Example Of Pornography Bot Notice the message highlighted in the red box. Notice the amount of users the message was sent to. Notice the picture that the sender has on their profile – typically this is either a generic photo of a person or one with a beautiful or enticing girl. Notice the vague context of the message itself – luckily the photo that went along with it was yanked from the image hosting site; usually this contains some kind of pornographic animated image. Duplicate Note From Same User Another example of a Pornography Bot in action – same message, same users sent to. Notice the only thing that’s changed is the subject: From the original “ok so…” to “LOL”. Multiply.com Another popular social network. What’s a “Blog?” A “Blog” is the internet equivalent of a personal journal; but instead of it being private, it’s online for anyone to see or comment on. Blogs are one of the most popular ways to share thoughts or ideas with a wide audience of users. Blogs are typically free and are adopting more and more functions that other websites like MySpace or YouTube have to offer. Blogger.com The MySpace equivalent to Blogging websites. It’s evolved plain blogging into near-professional website design and functionality. Blogger.com It takes 3 easy steps to create a Blog. Blogs can contain anything from pure text, photos, to even video clips. Blogger.com A example of a Anime Blog that covers a popular one called “Naruto.” YouTube.com The internet’s biggest website for sharing videos online with. Users can post anything from “How To” movies to episodes of TV shows; even though the later is discouraged. This is what the website looks to users not logged in. YouTube.com This is what a user’s page looks like whether logged in or not. YouTube has a similar system of friends and messaging management that other social networks have. YouTube.com This is what viewing videos is like on YouTube.com. The video can be expanded to full screen. YouTube does a excellent job of keeping pornography off its servers. Free Websites It’s easier now than ever to create your own website for free. More and more sites offer ready-made templates for users to put content into. Blogs, YouTube, Photos, and other internet sites can be integrated into these websites. A Example Of A Website Done With FreeWebs.com This is a site that focuses on web publishing. Bigger Lists Of Social Networks The list of social networks isn’t just limited to what’s presented; the internet is as vast as its users are unlimited. You can read more on other social networks at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites Highly Recommended Reading For Parents About Online Safety & Knowledge Wiredsafety.org's Online Safety & Help Group http://www.wiredsafety.org/internet101/blogs.html Internet Slang http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Talk "Leet" Speaking http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leet Internet Memes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Meme Advice From A Veteran Internet User I’ve grown up with technology and it’s a major aspect to my profession. The internet is a given with today’s standards in both business and personal life. The internet can be a double-edged sword; it’s blessing and a curse as to how integrated its become with daily life and how others interact with strangers. The advice I’m about to give you is for your benefit – Your safety is the upmost priority for both you and your children. Internet101 Beware of where you are going or browsing. Malware and viruses can easily infect a unprotected computer – these harmful pieces of malware can do anything from slowing down your machine to recording all your keyboard commands, stealing anything from email passwords to credit card information – always make sure you have a firewall and a reliable AntiVirus or Spyware program installed on your machine. I recommend both and more! Do not put any information like your credit card number or phone or email address online! Most shopping websites will offer to store your credit card information when you make a purchase; unless it’s a reliable site with a secure server and reputation like Amazon.com, DON’T LEAVE THAT INFORMATION SAVED. Internet101 Always make sure if you’re signing into a website, the URL matches where you want to go. “Phishing” sites are fake websites designed to look exactly like legitimate websites like MySpace.com and will try to get users to log into their site in order to steal their information. Always double check! I don’t think that children should have access to social networks. There’s too many online pedophiles and threats present in today’s internet that children under 17 have no business in online social networks unless a parent actively knows who they are talking to, like a friend or family. Internet101 Most online social networks have a option of keeping incoming messages and comments to a “friends only” list – I recommend putting this on to keep unwelcomed strangers from contacting your profile. Be aware that any photo or video you post yourself online can be downloaded by any user, one way or another. If you think your photo or video is safe online, think again. There’s always a way to rip a video file off of YouTube or save a photo from other sites – I know and have done them successfully. Think twice before posting a “revealing” photo of yourself – anything from online stalkers to problems of future employment can occur with today’s internet and business standards. You alone decide who sees what side of you on the internet! Internet101 Last of all, just use common sense when online. Anyone can be whoever they want once they sit behind a monitor and keyboard, so just be weary when on the world wide web. Thank you for your time!