Why Do So Many People Socialize on The Internet? What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of this Type of Networking?
Introduction
Technology has immensely changed our lives by influencing major sectors of society, such as transport, health, education, business, and communication. Advancement in technology has seen the development of numerous sophisticated gadgets which have been useful in promoting communication process amongst individuals (Fulk and Connie 4). For instance, the invention of the internet has made a great impact on the way individuals communicate and socialize, thus leaving us with no choice but to embrace its inevitability. While the internet has been a useful platform when it comes to connecting the world and allowing individuals to socialize, its usage is also associated with numerous disadvantages such as addiction, loneliness, cybersecurity, and psychological stress.
Socialization
The urge to socialize has always remained an essential attribute of human society since time immemorial. Socialization is vital for any person because it acquaints an individual with the norms of his/her social group or society and also enables the person to participate in the group by understanding actively and illustrating the expectations of that group. Socialization refers to the ways that individuals communicate and the methods they use to do so. It describes the customs, language, and quirks unique to a particular culture. One important usage associated with the internet in modern society is that it acts as a social platform for individuals to socialize. Across the globe, millions of people are connected to various social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, where they are able to share ideas, opinions, and information on various issues.
Reasons for internet socialization
One primary reason why many people tend to socialize on the internet is because of the ease and convenience that comes with internet socialization. Unlike in the past where individuals had to go out and meet their friends or loved ones or wait for letters in order to socialize, social media has made it very easy and convenient for individuals to socialize today. Many people spend most of their time on the internet than physically with other people because they can do it from the comfort of their homes. Thinternetet also allows them to pick and choose who to socialize with, irrespective of the person’s country of residence.
Advantages and disadvantages of internet socialization
The advantages of internet socialization are that it allows individuals to create new friendships, maintain friendships, learn and appreciate new content and knowledge, and appreciate diversity (Alobaidi 7). Through social networking sites such as Facebook, individuals are today able to achieve instant communication wit almost everyone. This has enabled social media users to make new friends, maintain an existing friendship while at the same time learning new ideas and knowledge, such as cultural differences (Nield). For instance, by socializing through the internet, I have managed to strike a friendship with other people as far as Africa, where I have learned some of the cultural values and beliefs. Despite these benefits, internet socialization can also be detrimental if not properly used. Some of the disadvantages of social media networking are that it facilitates laziness, gives people the license to be hurtful, reduces understanding, thoughtfulness, and creativity amongst users (Ryan et al.). Socialization through the internet can also be very addictive and even cause disconnection amongst individuals, especially family members.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that technology has been instrumental in improving the lives of individuals in modern society. Thanks to technological advancements, individuals can today enjoy the benefit of communicating with others at the comfort of their homes irrespective of their geographical location. Technology, and especially the internet, has been critical in revolutionizing the socialization process in contemporary society. However, despite these advantages associated with internet socialization, the process is also characterized by numerous negative effects that undermine its usefulness. Therefore, I believe that individuals must always be ready to regulate the numbers of time they take to socialize through the internet, even as they seek to enjoy the benefits that come for such a socialization process.
Works Cited
Fulk, Janet, and Y. Connie Yuan. “Social construction of communication technology.” The international encyclopedia of organizational communication (2017): 1-19.
Alobaidi, Entisar. “Outline of the advantages and disadvantages of social media.” ACADEMICIA: An International Multidisciplinary Research Journal 8.4 (2018): 4-11.
Ryan, Tracii, et al. “How social are social media? A review of online social behaviour and connectedness.” Journal of Relationships Research 8 (2017).
Nield David. What are the benefits of internet & social networking? Available from https://itstillworks.com/benefits-internet-social-networking-1216.html.