Can you believe it? We're more than half-way finished with the 23 Things!
A major aspect of Web 2.0 is Social Networking, which is defined as "The process of building online communities, often accomplished both through 'groups' and 'friends lists' that allow greater interaction on websites. Find out more about social networking" source.
Sound familiar? It should -- that's what we've been doing all summer!
In 2006, just three years after it began, Myspace became the most popular social networking site in the United States, offering a place to personalize your interests and connect to others.
Initially meant as a web hosting site, Myspace quickly became the website to which individuals and predominantly musicians flocked to advertise themselves. Fledgling bands found an audience and even were able to book venues due to their Myspace account, playing snippets or full versions of their songs.
Soon millions had a Myspace page where they could friend people they knew, people they didn't know, and even fictional characters.
This created a social network where one could post status updates about what they were doing and where they were going, playlists of songs, and create personalized layouts for their page. Blog entries were possible here, along with twelve photos of yourself. Since then, the photo cap has been increased!
Privacy is a major issue when it comes to social networking, as you've likely read online or seen in the news (hello, Facebook!), and Myspace was also concerned. Age limits were created to prevent pages of children under a certain age to be private against adults, and vice versa.
Myspace and Social Networking have been hot topics in the media where adults are concerned, too. There have been reports of employers terminating employees based on what was posted online.
Myspace may not have been the first social network, but it was definitely one of the most popular. Take a look at this demographic chart for social networking sites:
For this Thing:
1. Watch this video from Common Craft about Social Networking.
2. Take the Myspace Tour. You do not have to create a Myspace account, but if you do, share it with us.
3. Read at one of the articles posted here:
- Social networks, gender, and friending: An analysis of Myspace member profiles / by Mike Thewell
- Safer Social Networking? / by Debra Donston
- Nearly Half of Employers Use Social Media to Research Candidates / HR Focus
- No Place to Play: Current Employee Privacy Rights in Social Networking Sites / by Gina L. Genova
Finally, post a blog entry for Thing 16 and tell us what you think about Myspace and Social Networking.
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