PFD social networking topic: part II

Resolved: That, on balance, social networking Web sites have a positive impact on the United States.

OHS students brainstormed this topic today and thought about the following:

What does the term "social networking Web sites" include? Obviously myspace and facebook, but what others are included in this discussion? Would sites like classmates.com, eHarmony and other dating sites, youtube, or even general websites with comment boards count? Varsity, in looking at this question, decided that one must be pretty specific with how they define the term for discussion.

Pros (why these websites are good for the US)

Captalism: They allow for businesses, musicians, etc. to reach out to the public with their products.

Hegemony: social networking websites can contribute to a general feeling of goodwill or even make the US look better to people from other countries when they hear the voices of the average citizens.

Law Enforcement: There is some good data out there showing that law enforcement and other authorities have been able to use these websites to catch criminals via undercover coups.

Transportation of ideas: inventions, opinions, and other information is easily disseminated through these sites to the general public.

Safety: Through these websites, you can find information to help keep you safe (such as residences of convicted predators, etc).

Cons (why these websites are bad for the US)

Safety: sexual predators have used these sites to prey on the innocent.

Cyber-bullying: these sites are a playground for cyber-bullies.

Destruction of innocence: what is seen cannot be unseen. A young child can click around these sites and very easily and unintentionally view pornographic or violent material.

Abuse of power: Gives the government and other entities way too much information on private citizens' lives.

Deterrent to future jobs, colleges, etc.: some institutions have been known to check out the myspace/facebook pages of their prospects before hiring.

Time suck: These websites waste an extraordinary amount of time.



PRO OR CON: Many of the varsity agreed that the idea of how social websites impact elections would be a fascinating contention for either the pro or con side. Depending on how you frame it, you could argue that social network sites get the vote out, and that's good (voting's good, right?) or you could argue that it's not a fair representation since users of this technology tend to be younger and more liberal.

I just encourage you to check out the data, do your research, and have fun! We are only debating this topic once, so make it good!