Is Social Networking Safe Or Dangerous

1213 Words5 Pages
Is social networking safe or dangerous? Did you know it is estimated that over four-hundred million people have profiles on social networking sites? There are more than two hundred social networking websites. Some people have no idea about the dangers of social networking. If not monitored, social networking can be dangerous. Cyber bullies, pedophiles and scam artists are making social networking dangerous. The first danger of social networking is cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is a danger that is becoming more popular with the use of social networking. It can come from friends and acquaintances or it may be anonymous through someone using a false identity.” Anyone can be a cyber-bully. Cyber bullying can, however, be even more vicious than you think it seems. Online perpetrators can send threatening or mean messages to their targets through instant messenger or email; post seriously damaging stories, remarks or comments about someone on any social networking site; pretend to be someone else and send embarrassing or malicious emails using that person's identity; get personal information and other details and then relaying them to others, or post manipulated pictures with offensive captions online for everyone else to see. These vicious tactics can cause irreparable damage to one's psychological and emotional wellbeing. Robinson says “typical bullying includes the posting of threatening or derogatory messages on a teen’s social networking site, and circulation of embarrassing photos that may have been digitally manipulated”. For example my sixteen year old cousin was the victim of cyber bullying. Her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend created a fake profile and harassed her via Facebook. The boyfriend believed she was talking to someone else and broke up with her because of it. Because of social networking sites kids are no longer safe at home after a long day of bullying
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