Running Head: Social Networking Sites
Social Networking Sites: Effects & Ramifications
In the past two to three years, we have seen a rise in the use of social networking sites. Along with the rise in usage, we have also seen an increase in the number of rapes, kidnappings, and murders due to these popular social networking sites (i.e. MySpace and Facebook). Although this is a major problem that concerns all social networking site users, college students who use these sites in alarming numbers may have a bigger problem to deal with when it comes to the things they post on their site. One of the reasons that social networking sites have become popular is the fact that students are able to do a variety of things on one site while keeping in touch with friends. A student can log onto their MySpace or Facebook and write a blog about their life, check in with a friend through their page to see what has been going on with them, and post pictures of their wonderful college experiences. Since these sites are alarmingly popular amongst college students, college administrators are starting to take a closer look at them. Many universities have started to punish their students for the things they are posting on the internet. Employers are also utilizing social networking sites by using it as a screening method for applicants.
An impressive resume, excellent references, and a negative drug test used to almost guarantee students a job, but now there is one more thing that can cause college students to lose a job to another student. Many students who choose to work during their college years get a job either on campus through the university or a job that is fairly close to campus. Many of these on-campus or almost on-campus employers are Facebook-ing or MySpace-ing applicants to see if the student is a good hire (Miller). Employers use social networking sites to screen college applicants because they do not want students...