Socialising Over the Net

The journey of our young students from socialising to social networking has been a rather quick one. LinkedIn, Netlog, Friendster, Classmates.com are some of the popular sites that help in keeping friends ‘connected’. But Facebook is the one social network site that seems to be rocking.

Inspire asked people across age groups what Facebook meant to them.

Well, social networking is all this and perhaps more. Networking sites provide a medium that has global reach and yet is personalised. It connects countless people to each other. Yet when you are logged on, it speaks to you alone. To top it all it is free.

Children, preteens, teenagers and even adults seem to be thriving in this ‘Net Connect’. The pictures that we get to see on these social networking sites have created a revolution of sorts. Bizarre hairdos and wacky tattoos; pouted lips and blowing kisses; cool clothes and funky gear; hugs and goodbyes; hills and flowers; cakes and cookies; cars and cell phones...you name it and you’ll see it.

‘Chatting’ consists of all subjects one can think of under the sun. Social network mania is not just affecting the upbeat metro children and youth. People from small towns and cities are equally under its influence with phones and sms. The chatting lingo is a hit with all. All feelings, expressions, thoughts—find a place in the little space of the chatting window. New found confidence is kicking in everyone. There is also a great deal of exhibitionism seen emerging from this addictive habit.

One wonders why a twelve year old schedules his evening hours to catch up on the Net assured that his tennis and guitar practice can wait. Schools and parents are in the blame-game mood. The child’s over-indulgence in social-networking is the discussion point of many meetings.

Inspire feels, parents, teachers and older siblings have to play the role of moderators for young children. These children are growing up in a digital age, where they see the parent responding to an sms before responding to the doorbell. If the parent is more relaxed that the child is ‘happy and safe indoors’ even if he is for hours on the Net, then the child will surely find ways and means to thrill himself through that channel. Then again, telling the child – “You cannot go online”- may be less effective than connecting with the child on a personal level and explaining how they should also try ‘offline’ things like playing a game of football or painting perhaps.

Social networking can be fun and useful, as long as it does not get addictive; does not hamper studies; does not become a source of temptation; does not lead to overpowering fantasies; and does not eat into one’s time for work and other interests.

It is a matter of concern if it comes in the way of real-life socialising. There are people experiencing healthy and meaningful friendships online, though their actual flesh and blood friendships and associations are going through a dip. This can be alarming as the virtual world is after all not absolutely real.