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​What is Social Media and is there a Realistic Danger? ​

Structurally, social media websites resemble a modern day cross between a yearbook and a small town salon or barber shop. Facebook is an example of a social networking website site where individuals create digital profiles and link to others ("friends") within the network -- similar to having conversations in person without having to exchange dialogue. Social networking websites nd applications allow users to restrict who can see their page and contact them; however most users opt to make their profiles public or fail to fully understand privacy settings to ensure safety.

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The primary concern is that this openness puts users at risk, making them particularly vulnerable to predators. Currently, we are seeing a subculture of teens and adults who have developed different notions of privacy. Youth feel relatively comfortable sharing aspects of their lives on-line and in certain cases in person with those who connect through the site; teens do not fully understand the risks of making certain information public. Social networking websites are actively providing participants outlets for communication and advertisement of personal information.

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By giving youth access to an on-line audience of their peers, social networking websites provide a fertile ground for identity development and cultural exposure. Youth view social media as a place where they can be who they are, joke around with friends and make certain to stay in the loop about everything that is going on around them. The consequences to this behaviour when un-monitored or addressed by parents can be detrimental to professional and academic futures.

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