Social Networks – Why we love them.

From Facebook, Twitter and Myspace, to LinkedIn, Foursquare and Google Plus, social networking has exploded into the 21^st Century taking a large group of fans along with it. By how, and why, has this phenomenon become such a large part of our lives?

There are so many varying views as to why social networking is as appealing as it is. While some say that we explore the realms of social networks purely for social reasons, as in keeping in touch with old friend and family. Others say that social media is so attractive as it makes it easier to get information regarding products and services, in blogs and online magazines. Some sources even say that, because social networks are easy to use and access, people are so attracted to them for this reason.

World rankings

There is a huge number of social networks in the world; so many in fact, that we in South Africa haven’t even scratched the surface. Sure we have all of the popular sites which feature at the top of the list of favourites when it comes to statistics. However, according to a study done earlier this year there are over 2000 social networks listed. Facebook seems to be the clear favourite in our humble land of 14 million residents, but it only ranks number two in the USA. (With Twitter following at number seven, and Myspace featuring at number 68. – in China, Myspace is the 1881^st favourite)

South African favourite

Facebook and Twitter featured quite predominantly when asking a handful of South African networkers what social networks they were on. All of them said that they are on Facebook, while a few of them mentioned that they have Twitter accounts as well.  Staying in touch with family and friends the main reason for this as it is an easy way of keeping track of what is happening in their lives. While Facebook has the ‘social’ part of ‘social networking’ covered, Twitter brings us closer to the networking aspect. Twitter lets us follow all sorts of people, from celebrities and friends, to magazines and television broadcasters; twitter allows you to network with people similar to you, even you if you don’t know them.  And it’s free, which makes these networks even more attractive.

Three reasons you should join

According to blogger, Lisa Barone, there are 18 reasons to use social media; three of which are:

• Visibility: it’s easy to see what is happening in the lives of those you love, as well as stay up to date with current affairs.
• Who’s on show: Keeping up with the latest happening in showbiz and what shows are in the pipeline.
• Connect: You may have lost contact with a relative or friend and would like to catch up – chances are you’ll find them if you look hard enough.

Growth

Mark Zuckerburg, the creator of Facebook, initially created Facebook with network with friends at Harvard University. Little did he know that he would become the youngest billionaire at the tender age of 23? This was in 2008, three years later and Facebook has become a worldwide hit with everyone from the ten year old next door, to your grandmother – Social media knows no age. In 2008, it’s said that the amount of Twitter users grew by 959%.

There are far more positive attributes surrounding social media than there are negative, however, caution should always be taken when exploring them. Just remember to balance the amount of time you spend on social networks with the time you spend in actual social interactions. 

Smart phone? Social butterfly?

Samantha Dent

Open laptop, connect to the web and the first site entered is Facebook, the fastest growing social networking site in the world. Social networking is growing faster than the Gautrain can reach OR Tambo from Sandton. It can be accessed from any portal, especially with the newest techno trend… The smartphone.

America’s problem?

America seems to be the biggest culprit where social media is concerned. We, in South Africa, mainly usually use our social networks for exactly that, social networking. The American lifestyle is quick and the people live on their phones. In a recent survey, created by Zach Epstein, it was found that 33% of the Americans who took part would “sooner give up sex for a week than go without their phones for the same period of time.” A further 70% said they would rather give up alcohol, and 22%would part ways with their toothbrushes.

New age

But why? Society, nowadays, is so career driven that the chance missing a call, email or reminder is inexcusable. Knowing that an email can be answered as soon as you get it is seen as “a gift from the technology Gods”. The rise in population of Smart phones has made it impossible to stay away from the office.

Multi-tasker…

The added incentive of accessing social networking sites such as, Facebook and Twitter on your Blackberry Torch while on a treadmill at the gym has made communication easier. Solving crises at work while at gym? Seems like a dream. In the same survey, Epstein learns that a shocking 66% of smartphone owners admit to taking their phone to bed with them; and 31% check their phones in the cinema.

Small world

Social media is easy to access, and any 10 year old with access to the internet probably has a profile on Facebook. Without Facebook, we wouldn’t have come in contact with that friend that moved to Australia in your youth, you wouldn’t see what half your Matric class is up to now through the photos they share. Let’s face it, social media has done two (if not many more) radical things to our lives, it’s made the world a very small place to live, as well as much less private place to live.

According to British blogger Jake Hird, Facebook claims that half of its users log into Facebook every day, that’s a cool 175 million people on one site in 24 hours. Twitter, according to Hird, has 75 million active users on their site.

Ask yourself…

Are you addicted to staring at the screen of your shiny smartphone? Do you love scrolling through your NewsFeed on Facebook every 5 minutes to see if anything new has appeared? If you do, then you need to stop and think about how much of life you are missing out on, in the real world. So step away from the laptop/ blackberry / iPad or whatever mode of technology you are using, and experience real life social networking… face to face with those close to you. Don’t become a statistic.