Social Networking

I as a teenager use social networking websites to keep in touch with old school friends and family member who may live far away. As it is getting more and more popular I want to discover why?
I regularly use myspace and facebook, and have had myspace for about 2 years now.
Myspace is a social networking website that allows you to almost have a website dedicated to you, except it is only a page allocated per e-mail. With myspace you can create your own account using your email address in a fairly easy process. Once this has created you can edit your profile to how you want it to look by adding HTML codes. HTML codes are really easy to find in a search engine, these can make your profile feel more personalised and appealing. Myspace allows you to upload pictures and videos of yourself and friends and puts them into albums that you can create, this is good for wanting to share and remember memories. Because myspace is widely used, artists and celebrities often have profiles. This is good for fans because we can find out the latest information, and listen to the latest tracks on their profiles. Songs can be added to normal profiles from music myspace's.
You can send comments and messages to people on your contact list. The good thing about myspace is that you can prove or disapprove comments, messages and friend requests. Myspace is also world wide and totally free. Users can either set their profile to private or open, which means that any one can read your information if it is open. This could increase the danger risk to users. Due to the fact tht myspace is free, you get a lot of advertisements on most of the pages you see. This could be a problem for people as some may not be safe. There is no age limit to myspace .




Facebook is another social networking site that is aimed at those who want to get in contact with old class mates and family members. Facebook is very simplistic in comparison to myspace, there are no HTML codes and coloured backgrounds. You can search for people you know by entering their first and second name in to a search engine, a list is usually provided of those who fit the criteria. Although you cant add backgrounds and music to your profile you can add applications such as owned, movies, circle of friends and my girls. Applications make facebook more fun and interesting to be on.
Like myspace, facebook is free of charge and reaches to across the world. Instead of sending comments to people you can write on the person's wall. This is not always good for this is viewed by any one who has your profile, whereas on myspace you can hide them with the use of codes. Like myspace you can upload pictures and videos and create albums for them to go into. There is an installed chat system within facebook which allows you to talk to your contacts, this is quicker than sending messages or posting wall comments.
Facebook and myspace both allow you to talk to people over the internet, and alert you with new updates. An advantage to social netoworking websites is that you can disapprove or approve friend requests and comments and limit how much information you write about yourself. The disadvantage of a social networking website is that it is easy to create and is available to any one.