Social Networking

Social networking sites are quickly becoming the "gods" in the Internet world.  For many young to middle aged people, facebook is usually the first site attend after opening the internet browser.  The use of social networking sites particullarly Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin are used in schools and the work place.  For my anthropology class last semester, all of my assignments were turned in via Facebook.  There is a facebook and twitter page for many ttelevision shows and channels, fashion companies, non for profit organizations, hair care companies and so much other organizations.  Readers frequent these sites for vast amounts of information that can be provided. 
I live for status updates on Facebook.  I have a mobile app widget on my phone that allows me to scroll through the recent updates.  According to the article "Being There"  on NYTimes, Facebook statuses are random and spontaneous outbursts that would not be otherwise accepted anywhere else.  This medium for spontaneous outbursts is also available on Myspace and Twitter.
Some companies are starting to use social networking sites for employee recruitment. According to the article "Social Networking Technology Boosts Job Recruiting" on NPR, Companies mainly use Linkedin to find candidates that fit what they are looking for, even before they have applied.
While social networking sites have mostly positive aspects, there is also a "dark side."  Predators such as identity thieves, hackers, kidnappers, molesters, rapists and murderers use social networking sites to find their prey.  Social networking sites have the options to post emails, home aaddresses, phone numbers, and to "check in" posting your exact location.  People who follow these practices do not realize how much they are opening themselves up to possibly being victimized. Students are becoming more aware of properly setting their privacy settings to avoid predators. According "Who Cares About Facebook Privacy? Students Do" the setting and changing of privacy settings on social networking sites have significantly from 2010 to 2011.
Eventually social networking sites will take over the Internet.