Social Networking Services in ICT

Overview of Social Networking

• Social networking refers to the creation of a website designed to establish an online community where individuals are linked together through the sharing of their personal information.

• The primary focus of social networking services within Information Technology (IT) is to improve efficiency and productivity for both organizational businesses and individual users.

• Common examples of social networking platforms include:

  • Snapchat

  • Facebook Messenger

  • TikTok

  • Wink

  • Kik

  • YouTube

  • WhatsApp

  • Reddit

  • Discord

  • Yubo

Categorization of Social Networking Sites

Social networking platforms are divided into specific categories based on their primary function and the type of interaction they facilitate. These categories include:

• Media sharing

• Blogging

• Social networking

• Content curation

• Shopping

• News interest

• Interest-based network

• Consumer review

General Benefits of Social Networking

The use of social networking platforms offers several fundamental benefits to users:

• Easy to create a personal page/profile: Users can quickly establish an online presence.

• Easy to keep in contact with people: Platforms facilitate ongoing communication regardless of geographical distance.

• Easy to make new friends with similar interests: Search and suggestion algorithms help link people with shared hobbies or viewpoints.

• Often free to join and use: Most major platforms do not charge a subscription fee for basic access.

Detailed Analysis: Facebook as a Worked Example

Facebook serves as a primary example of a platform categorized specifically as a social networking site.

• Key Features:

  • Users can build comprehensive profiles for either personal or business use.

  • Profiles can include links to external websites.

  • Personal profiles allow for the inclusion of specific personal details and interests.

• Advantages:

  • Chat Function: Includes dedicated messaging via Facebook Messenger.

  • Content Freedom: There is no word limit on posts, allowing for long-form communication.

  • Business Utility: Serves as a useful method for businesses to reach consumers.

  • Social Connectivity: Makes it easy to find and connect with new friends.

  • Content Tailoring: Users can "like" specific pages to receive targeted content from brands, celebrities, or organizations.

• Disadvantages:

  • Data Privacy: Users must exchange personal data during the sign-up process.

  • Information Quality: High risk of misinformation stemming from unreliable sources.

  • Security Threats: Presence of phishing scams designed to steal user information.

  • Identity Theft: Potential for malicious actors to impersonate users.

  • Legal and Social Risks: The risk of defamatory posts or comments which can lead to reputational damage or legal consequences.

Learning Objectives and Specification Requirements

In the context of the WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award in ICT (Technical Award), learners are required to master the following concepts:

• Efficiency and Productivity: Understanding how social networking services enhance the workflow and output for both businesses and individual users.

• Identification: Being able to categorize different types of social networking sites.

• Evaluation: Identifying and analyzing the specific advantages and disadvantages associated with using these platforms.

• Application: Providing a detailed summary and analysis of a chosen social networking site.