iSMOblog

Social networking is as important to the present generation as reading the morning newspaper. It is a habit for some and addiction for others. You might say that you are not into it, but you can’t deny the fact that it is in you. May be you are not an active member of this vicious circle (or non-vicious for some), but you are its passive observer for sure. Now, since almost everyone is involved in some way in this business of social networking, then the differences of opinions on the same are bound to happen.

Where, on one hand, social networking has a number of positives about it to boast about such as allowing you to meet new people, getting in touch with the old ones…and we all know what I am talking about…so I guess, I don’t need to go there again; but some people also raise questions about social networking eroding social skills and values of the people. How much of this kind of a question is valid is something that we all are seeking an answer to. But who is to decide that? The population in favour of using social networking sites and the number of people voting against it are almost evenly divided. Thus, the dilemma only increases.

However, almost everyone knows the benefits of social networking, so I thought why not use this space just to discuss the ‘social’ factor of social networking. However, by saying this I do not mean that I am talking only negative about this aspect. But, it’s best if we proceed from bad to good.

Because it’s so easy to stay in touch with people using such websites (which is a plus point!), have we started to feel that there is actually no need of face to face meetings now! Has wishing each other on festival times just confined to shooting a scrap or a message to your friends and relatives? Are we forgetting how we should be acting while we are in public because we almost never do that these days and that’s because we don’t get time from sitting on the computer 24×7?

If one section of the people agree to the things said above, then the people wishing to defend it are also ready with their arguments. Because we are spending so much time talking to all kinds of people through these sites, then aren’t we learning social skills? If we are learning to communicate virtually, then aren’t we actually getting ready to communicate with the real world?

Whether social networking is harming the society as a whole or if its harming the social life of an individual…this can’t really be decided despite critically evaluating both sides of the same coin. I guess, it ultimately remains a personal choice and to balance things out remains to be the best viable option. Both, virtual communication and face to face communication have their own charm. It’s not that one can’t survive without the other but it’s just that we can’t survive without the either of them.