The Upside of Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook are becoming increasingly popular among teens, leading experts to question the safety, usefulness, and influence of these social outlets. Based on the privacy risks, many websites have come under fire in recent years. Horror stories of adolescents posting inappropriate information or photographs and attracting sexual predators and pedophiles have given some Internet sites a bad name.

Despite the obvious dangers of social networking sites, recent news suggests these outlets also have a number of redeeming qualities.

Emotional Support
Setting up a personal profile on MySpace or Facebook makes it easy to connect with high school or college alumni and people all over the country who share common interests, hobbies, and struggles. For example, new online communities are forming every day for children with learning differences, substance abuse problems, and behavioral issues, along with educational and support groups for parents. As more people turn to the Internet for emotional support and encouragement, companies are catching on and using social networking sites to get important messages out to the public.

With more than 70 million active users, Facebook is a popular destination for both children and parents who are looking for specialized, up-to-date information. Since so many people already use social networking sites, many businesses are transforming these sites into a one-stop-shop for all types of advertising and information.

For instance, McNeil Pediatrics, a division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., recently launched an "ADHD Moms" online community on Facebook, where moms can share personal stories and receive advice from experts and other moms on raising kids with attention deficit disorder. The ADHD Moms community includes monthly feature articles, a series of podcasts addressing various issues related to ADHD, personal testimonials, interactive monthly polls, and a collection of other ADHD resources. This type of forum gives companies like McNeil Pediatrics a broader Web presence while offering much needed support to families worldwide.

The Latest Health Information
Various state and local organizations have also begun posting useful information and services to social networking websites. In order to reach some of the 93 percent of teens who use the Internet, 77 percent of whom have a profile on a social networking site, the New York City Department of Health recently introduced a "NYC Teen Mindspace" forum on MySpace to inform troubled teens about mental health issues, depression, substance abuse, dating violence, and other pertinent issues. The page features video blogs, polls, music downloads, fact sheets, and a toll-free help line where teens can speak to a counselor 24 hours a day.

For the DOH, MySpace has been a wise choice. Just one week after launching the campaign, the page had already received more than 11,000 hits.

Educational Benefits and Life Skills
Some researchers believe social networking sites offer educational benefits to today's Internet-savvy, information-hungry teens. Christine Greenhow, a learning technologies researcher at the University of Minnesota's College of Education and Human Development, believes that as students communicate through social networking sites, they are "developing a positive attitude towards using technology systems, editing and customizing content and thinking about online design and layout. They're also sharing creative original work like poetry and film and practicing safe and responsible use of information and technology." She adds, "The Web sites offer tremendous educational potential."

Dr. Brendesha M. Tynes, a professor of educational psychology and African American Studies, agrees. In her recent article titled "Internet Safety Gone Wild? Sacrificing the Educational and Psychosocial Benefits of Online Social Environments," published in the Journal of Adolescent Research, she argues that online socialization through networking sites like Facebook can be immensely beneficial to teens.

By chatting online to fellow teens across the globe, Tynes believes young people are establishing a personal identity and learning valuable life skills such as decision-making and critical thinking skills, communication strategies, and the ability to build personal relationships and constructively challenge the opinions of others. Tynes adds that these skills will prepare them for the challenges they will face as adults.

"During adolescence, kids are trying to construct their own identity and oftentimes they're able to safely experiment with creating that identity online," Tynes said. "It gives them the outlet they need to feel a sense of autonomy."

Because people have the option to remain anonymous in their online interactions, Tynes also argues that teens will take advantage of opportunities to ask sensitive questions about sexuality and body image that they may not ask in a face-to-face interaction.

Use Them Wisely
Whether you choose to use social networking sites or avoid them altogether, there's no question that the Internet offers volumes of helpful information and contacts that, when used safely and appropriately, can enhance your life. In moderation, these sites can offer social, health, and educational benefits, as well as the latest breaking news and information.

If you're going to put yourself out there for the cyber-world to see, familiarize yourself with the site's privacy controls, and never post private information about yourself or anyone else, including cell phone numbers, home addresses, class schedules, or social plans. Social networking sites have great potential, but you must take proper precautions - because you never know who's watching.