Web Logs and Social Networking

Web logs (blogs) are websites which people use to share information about events in their life, videos, work and photos. It is a good way to find out about other people, for an example, celebrities.

People use web blogs as a way to share their life to others who may be interested. A web blog is just like a personal online diary where you can record anything. Some examples are:

• News - from ordinary people or from famous people
• Food places - people can share ideas about the different places they have visited and whether they think others should be encouraged to visit too
• Entertainment - some celebrities keep you up to date with what is happening right now and if there are any upcoming events or programmes for you to watch out for

Social Networking is also a great way to keep up to date with other people. Some examples include Facebook, MySpace, Bebo and Twitter. On some of these sites you can add friends and view who is online. This is a very good function because if you go to message somebody you know how long it will take for them to view it. You can also see pictures of other people and share some of your own. You can also set up group messages and share important updates with your friends.

However, Twitter may be similar to Facebook, but it's not the same. On Twitter you can follow anybody and anybody can follow you. Usually people don't have an issue with random people following them as long as they aren't causing any trouble. Though, there are some people on Twitter who enjoy following others and creating arguments between themselves and other people.

there are many advantages of social networking, here are a few:

• Helps build online communities - this can be good is you are shy, disabled or don't live near your friends
• Allows you to make friends with anybody, especially people who are friends with your friends
• You can express your opinion and discuss it with others
• You can see what other people are doing and see what they have done
• You can chat about your school life and learning with other class mates

However, where there are advantages, there are always disadvantages:

• People may copy your images, claim them as their own, or place them on other websites that you may not know about or agree with
• Paedophiles use blogs and social networking to search for young people who they can talk to and meet up with. They may also be able to view your photos and see what you are doing
• People may be able to identify you purely by your image, without needing any details
• People may begin to stalk you as they can see what you are doing and whether you are online or not
• Employers sometimes search social networking sites to see if people are suitable applicants for a job
• People start rumours which then quickly spread around the world
• People can become addicted, therefore lacking other life skills