What is social networking?

“The Internet is the world’s largest social network”. [1] This statement clearly defines society in which we live today. With the creation of the internet, social interactions are no longer within its traditional venues such as communication within one’s community, work, home and school. The internet has created new societies in cyber-space for people to interact and communicate. Cyber-society created based upon niche interests.

In the study, MySpace.com – A Social Networking Site and Social Contract Theory, the authors mentions the Social Contract Theory (SCT). What Snyder, Carpenter and Slauson is trying to convey is that, in order to achieve a harmonious community in cyber-space, there must be roles set forth to be obeyed by one’s participation. These rules and regulations are called the Social Contract Theory. The Social Contract Theory is “the view that persons’ moral and/or political obligations are dependence upon a contract or agreement between them to form society” [2] The SCT can be traced back to the Socrates between 469 – 399 B.C. The SCT application allows humans to rise above the “State of Nature” in which all are equal and no power is needed to force proper behaviors. Rousseau argues that the State of Nature “as one where man can exist in as peaceful manner, nature supplying all that is necessary to sustain a small population.” [3]

Putting personal information online can be very risky and dangerous. The information we post can be used and will be used against us. Many examples has shown, since the start of popular social networks such as MySpace and Facebook, that posting personal information can have deadly consequences to yourself and the people around you. Not only could it ruin your reputation but your future too. Just by browsing these networks one can see how many people are posting pictures and messages regarding underage drinking, drug use and inappropriate sexual behavior. Relating this back to the Social Contract Theory, the social contract that has been encountered while using these sites clearly asserts that “users should be seeking friends and should do no harm with the information.” [1]

Well all I can say is that if only the world was perfect.

[1] Snyder, Johnny, Don Carpenter, and Gayla Jo Slauson. “MySpace.com – A Social Networking Site and Social Contract Theory”. Department of Business CIS Mesa State College, 2 Jan. 2007. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. .

[2] Friend, C .Social Contract Theory. Retrieved March 12, 2006 from: .

[3] Rousseau, Jean-Jacques. The Social Contract;. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1968. Print.