For only ten dollars a person can be part of a social network called “Second Life”. It is a virtual community that gives people the freedom and the ability to create for themselves another world apart from their real life. They can be themselves or they can recreate themselves and be whoever they want to be. There have been many debates on whether “social networking” is a good thing or a bad thing. I argue that “social networking” has given us opportunities to interact with a wide range of people. It has given us a chance to interact with people who may share the same interests or who have different viewpoints.

People argue that “social networking” has disconnected people from the real world and has made them less social. They way I see it is that it has boosted people’s confidence to be more social. In the article “Second Life Teaches Life Lessons,” we are told that Second Life has helped abused children with their social skills. Abused children usually hide to get away from their parents and this type of social networking helps them escape to a place where they can talk to others who can help them. This can even relate to shy kids. Before social networking people would be discouraged to go up to someone who they think would not accept them for who they are. But through social networking they have found that this is not the case and they develop the courage to create relationships through the internet and in the everyday life with people they would normally not. When someone is behind a computer they are not scared to be judged and they can develop that trait in real life. People who are loners can be part of the social network and find out they don’t need to be alone. There is someone out there who is willing to listen.

“Social networking” also unites people from all over the world and makes people more aware of current events. It has shown through social networking that Obama won the presidency. He was able to raise millions of dollars and supporters through “social networking.” The article on Obama’s campaign shows that McCain who had “social network” that was not as developed as Obama’s did worse in the elections. The influence of “Second life” type of social networking opened the barriers for Obama to spread his campaign and then lead to his victory in his elections. News traveled fast and more efficiently.

The greatest thing about social networking is that it doesn’t exclude anyone. Even people who are seriously ill can be a part of it and feel like they have an opportunity to fit in. In the real world they might not be as accepted. People with autism and Asperger’s syndrome have difficulty socializing and through “Second Life” they are able to socially interact with others even if it’s not face to face. They are allowed to be part of a world where no one is judged and they can be normal without their disabilities interfering from creating relationships.

One of the issues raised in the PBS video is the idea of so much personal information being available to the public. Many are worried that this information can lead to sexual predators. When it comes down to it, though, each individual has the right to share what they want. “Second Life” is a network that does allow you to share personal information about yourself, but it is by choice. Social networking is considered mostly a problem with teens since they are considered to be more naive and gullible. But as it was said in the PBS video these people are not victims they are “participants.” Through the video we are told that every time there has been a sexual assault that person has made plans to meet up with the sexual predator without knowing them. The internet didn’t create sexual predators, they existed before the internet too and there are ways for people to protect themselves. In the PBS video we are told that “One in seven kids have been sexually solicited online, but researchers have found that most of these cases are mild.” It is not as bad as they are made to seem. People can encounter that on the streets too, away from the internet.

“Social networking” is a way to express oneself and share with others. The future is with social networking. There are ways to be safe on the internet and be able to get to know people without fear of being too public. Instead of trying to prevent it, people should just let it develop and learn to adapt in a world where it exists.