DISADVANTAGES OF SOCIAL NETWORKING

Disadvantages of Social Networking 

1. Backlash

 A joke among friends is one thing but a joke with the world at-large is much different. When potentially offensive content is posted online, the amount of feedback can be excessive and is often brutal. This is particularly true with highly opinionated subjects like politics and religion. This backlash can also have a long-term impact on a person's future, especially in a world that has fallen prey to over-sharing. Even high school students are learning that comments they post on social media can influence whether a college approves their application for admission. In an age where selfies are the norm, the over-sharing may even be altering our worldview by creating a more narcistic mindset.

 2. Cyber-bullying and Crimes Against Children

Use of social networks may expose individuals to other forms of harassment or even inappropriate contact. This can be especially true for teens and younger children. Unless parents diligently filter the Web content their family views, children could be exposed to pornography or other inappropriate content.
Besides unleashing age-inappropriate content, the digital age also gave birth to a social phenomenon - cyber-bullying. It is often levied more harshly against young females that males and, unlike traditional bullying, it is not limited to physical interaction. Cyber bullying can happen 24 hours a day, every day of the week. Adding to this realm of cyber abuse are the anonymous social media sites which can elevate the severity of the assault - under the false promise of privacy.

3. Risks of Fraud or Identity Theft

Whether you like it or not, the information you post on the Internet is available to almost anyone who is clever enough to access it. Most thieves need just a few vital pieces of personal information to make your life a nightmare. If they successfully steal your identity, it could cost you dearly. A report on Bank-rate reveals Millennials are one of the fastest growing groups to be victims. This is linked to the group's comfort with sharing everything online - including personal information.

4. Time Waster

Business Insider reports that social media is the most popular use of the Internet - surpassing email - and smartphones and other mobile devices seem to be the driving force behind this trend since 60 percent of the traffic is from a mobile source. The Global Web Index poll shows that 28 percent of the time spent online is on social networks. With these type of numbers, some of the time spent on social media occurs at work. When these visits are for non-work related activity, it can cost companies money through lost productivity. A report on Forbes states that 89 percent of respondents admitted to wasting time on social media while at work.

5. Corporate Invasion of Privacy

Social networking invites major corporations to invade your privacy and sell your personal information. Have you ever posted a comment on Facebook, only to notice an advertisement appear with content related to your post? Last year, Facebook earned an estimated $16 billion in ad revenue. That's not bad for a free site.
If Facebook and other social networking sites don't charge their members, however, how do they make so much money? They do it by selling the ability to specifically target advertisements. On social networking sites, the website isn't the product - the users are. These sites run algorithms that search for keywords, web browsing habits, and other data stored on your computer or social networking profile and provide you with advertisements targeted specifically to you.

BY

JOHN, CAFRENE. BAPRM 42567