PRIVACY AND SECURITY ISSUES

CETM11 - Research Skills and Academic Literacy

Portfolio Item 1 - Privacy and Security in Social Networking



CETM11 - Research Skills and Academic Literacy

Portfolio Item 1 - Privacy and Security in Social Networking

Introduction

This research paper was prepared as a concise study on social networks and their excessive use today. As defined in the paper, social networks are sites that allow people to connect with their friends, even make new friends, to share content, interact, and create communities of similar interests like working, reading, games, friendship, relationships (Capkun, 2008, pp. 470-483). Internet social networks are becoming promising business for companies, artists, brands, independent professionals, especially in fields which require human encounter. Social networks have gained great importance not only for individuals, even also for companies. For individual people this means chances to interact, it becomes a means of communication par excellence spanning all ages and fields (Capkun, 2008, pp. 470-483). Moreover, for businesses, such networks mean much more, as one advertising space on these websites allows them to interact with all types of potential buyers at zero or minimum cost (Boyd, 2008, pp. 210).

This paper states that social networks have changed and revolutionized personal communications on the Web. Moreover, the theory of social identity explains the fast evolution of these networks as well. People have an inherint need to “fit in” and be a part of a group. They start percieveing themselves in a reflection of their groups, and with the advent of social networks, leading to a wider database of users, and thus a wider variety of available groups that anyone can join, the need to be a part of something bigger is satisfied amongst individuals. The theory of social identity can also be linked to corporate identities, as corporations who are more popular on these networks are appreciated and seen by more and more users, and thus have more customers.

Couple of years ago, young people communicated over the Internet in a limited field like instant messaging or chat messengers online, who are now extending their social, emotional and educational platforms in network. Social networks were born a few years ago to establish a network of contacts in the professional environment. Over time, they have acquired the dimension of "meeting point" for users who share hobbies, interests or tastes. There are hundreds of social networks with different user profiles and varied themes, professional, entertainment, etc (Capkun, 2008, pp. 470-483). The paper goes on to explain that platforms which have managed to secure more hits and traffic information. On the other hand, the profile of users who register, include minors as well (Boyd, 2008, pp. 210). As highlighted by the authors, minors' presence and activity in this type of platform is particularly importance when you consider the vulnerability and helplessness of their age group.

Use of Social Networking Groups

At the end of 2009, 71% of students between 10 and 18 years admitted to be registered on a social network, with slight predominance of girls over ...