Social networking websites: a guide for users and providers

Social networking websites, where people can meet, chat and message each other online are used by millions of people all over the world. Some people are worried about how safe it is to use the internet to share personal details in this way. A website which collects information from you has an obligation to, among other things, keep the information safe, keep it up to date and not use it in a way you might not expect. Providers of social networking sites have a responsibility to ensure that people using the site can do so safely. Online social networking has increased people capacity for making and sustaining such friendships as well as having more regular communication with family and other friends. Research is just beginning to understand the challenges, benefits and negative consequences of this different way in which people interact with each other. Studies have indicated that internet communications may supplement traditional social behaviour rather than increase or decrease it. This is consistent with a social network theory which implies that the more a person socializes in a traditional sense, the more they will socialize online. So this paper is an attempt for detailed analysis to know how social networking sites proves fruitful guide to way ahead.