Social Networking

I have accounts with both MySpace and Facebook. Although there is definitely some overlap, I've found that most of my friends form college are on Facebook and most of my friends from high school are on MySpace. I tend to prefer MySpace to facebook. I think the main reason for this is all the applications facebook has. While the first couple I added were kind of fun (I enjoyed sending Harry Potter spells to my friends) I soon started to find the constant request to add other applications rather annoying. I especially don't like the fact that I have to send additional requests to my friends to use any of the applications on my own page. I also find MySpace easier to navigate. But this may be because I'm used to it.

This sounds horrible, but I also found it easier to "stalk" people on MySpace. When I come across an old classmate's profile on MySpace, depending on their privacy settings, I could take a look, see what they're up to without necessarily adding them as a friend. On Facebook everyone had to be added as a friend to view their profile (I think this might have changed now). And sometimes it can be difficult to tell who the person is by the small picture.

I think social networking sites are so popular because they are an excellent way of keeping in touch with people. My graduating class from high school has a MySpace page, and that is how I've found out most of the information about the upcoming reunion. Teens probably enjoy the fact that they can leave their MySpace profile up in the background while working on something else and be able to respond immediately when someone sends them a comment or a message. (Some may argue they could do the same thing with email, but it's easier to personalize a Myspace profile by adding your own background, pictures, etc.) And MySpace (and maybe facebook, too--I don't use it enough to know) is a great place to be introduced to new music, as well.

And finally, social networking sites are an excellent procrastination tool. If I'm trying to avoid doing something, I can always find more to do on my MySpace page! :-)