Social+Networking+-+Pros+and+Cons

Assignment #1 What is Social Networking?

Expected time to complete written assignment: 10 minutes What is Social Networking Homework Assignment

=
After you have attended the webinar and read the blog pages about social networking, your individual homework assignment this week is to contribute to a list of Pros and Cons about the use of __social networking media__ in a faith formation context. ======

** Thank you all for your excellent contributions here to the pro's and con's of Social Networking! SC **
= PROS =
 * Social Networking is where the young people are - and we need to evangelize them where they are!
 * SN is where I can get help to recharge when feeling alone or overwhelmed.
 * Shared websites that one may not have known about otherwise.
 * Personal consultation with individuals with first hand experience with specific technical tools and skills.
 * Access to large experience bank.
 * Use as opinion poll
 * Provides support and encouragement.
 * SN allows hidden connections to emerge.
 * SN enables people to create or re-create relationships based on shared interests, common experiences, cultural or religious affiliations.
 * SN is becoming essential to any group or business that wants to succeed with it's message - particularly with people who are tuned into the available technology.
 * "In order to influence the conversation I must be a part of the conversation." Just picked up this quote from Twitter but I like it. Social networking is participating in conversations
 * In addition to being a venue for your "message", SN can be used as a "call to action" where immediate response is required.
 * SN can/is being used as a voice for change in the world politically, spiritually and personally.
 * Good communication tools between parents and catechists. Good tools for teaching Faith Formation. Fun things to keep students interested.
 * Familiarity with what students are interested in/doing can help us come up with ideas to better reach them.hl
 * Helps by having multi levels of ties..core,significant and lose. They can help you see new avenues and ways of thinking.
 * builds community by allowing folks to learn more about the people they pray with on sunday (like names, among other info :)
 * Can maintain contact with friends and family who live far away both in words and pictures in an economical way.
 * This seems to work better than a church bulletin!
 * To reach people (a target audience) you may not reach through other means
 * Can see the impact the teachings, relationships, connections have made when others quote what they heard just that day at Mass, at a FF session, parish picnic, VBS, SCC, etc. I am holding onto the hope that great homilies will be tweeted and the previously unreached will be moved to "Come and See!"
 * The ability to reach out to a greater number of people in a quicker time of period.
 * WOW! the world is now at our fingertips.

= CONS =
 * Cyberbullying could be a threat
 * I have to manage my time wisely on social sites.
 * Necessary to validate information for accuracy on specific subjects.
 * Inappropriate postings.
 * Lack of awareness of correct usage or purpose of a particular site.
 * Engaging "friends" with people not known to you.
 * Lack of supervision/guidance of young people who use SN either naively or inappropriately.
 * I have other things I want to do in my life that aren't "wired". I sometimes regret the amount of time I spend on-line.
 * Some people are so caught up in the technology they forget the value and rewards of direct contact with people.
 * I agree that validating information for accuracy can be a problem on social networks. "Do not bear false witness" can be a serious problem if inaccurate information is rapidly spread from network to network.
 * Creating the appearance of acceptable behavior due to overwhelming numbers of people with your same "belief".
 * TEMPTATION
 * People are uncomfortable having information about themselves on the internet.
 * What you see isn't always what you get...
 * requires a constant attention to be updated on security / privacy / etc
 * Gives a sense of being anonymous so can write what would never think of saying face to face
 * Technology changes faster than we do, so I and others always feel behind!
 * Not all people have access to social networking and some just prefer not to
 * Believing that personal contact is a thing of the past
 * The ability to communicate faster also lead to information overload.
 * It is easy to get lost in cyberspace; lost as in hours spent.
 * While the community is now global, it could be difficult to maintain personal face-to-face relationships.
 * Nothing is private. Like swimming in a fishbowl.

Return to assignment page http://sitm2011.wikispaces.com/Social+Networking

[|Return to blog page] []