Formulation of the Research Question:
Should social networking be banned?
Introduction:
Social networking sites are platforms where a group of individuals can meet and interact with each other. They include twitter, Facebook, MySpace among other several sites. These sites can be used for good purposes such as keeping in touch with relatives and friends while they may be used for bad intentions such as spreading malicious rumors. Therefore, should social networking be banned?
Section 1: My Web Search
A Google search of the question proved helpful since it brought up a couple of websites and articles that had tackled the question. Most sites stated that social networking should be banned because they encourage cyber bullying, child predator, isolation and distraction for children. Some suggested children should be taught the dangers in order for them to use the sites positively (Debate.org, 2006). They also stated that in the workplace, they made employees under productive while some research shows that they had the exact opposite effect on employees, making them more creative (Social Smarty, 2009).
Section 2: My News Search
Most articles I found that tackled the question should social networking be banned were online on social media related sites. However, I found one that discusses the pros and cons of banning social networking (Chun, 2012).
Section 3: References and Assessment of Sources
Debate.org (2012), http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-social-networking-be-banned-for-school-children
This site considers opinions of people who think social networking should be banned as well as those who don’t. Basically the questions are handled in a debate sort of format. It isn’t the best to use since the information available is all personal opinion.
Love to know Social Networking (2006), http://socialnetworking.lovetoknow.com/Should_Social_Networking_Sites_be_Banned
This site tackles this with regards to other related question such as; is a cyber friend really a friend as well as social isolation. An article on the site mentions Emile Durkheim, a 19th century sociologist, who argues that social networking causes children to spend a lot of time alone and therefore can be a cause of suicidal tendencies. (Stella, 2012, p.2)
The World Social Networking Ban Race (2000), http://www.investintech.com/articles/theworldsocialnetworkingbanrace/
This site gives some insight on which countries have banned which social networking sites as well as why they shouldn’t be banned. However this site since isn’t fully detailed.
Social Smarty (2009), http://socialsmarty.com/small-business/should-social-networks-be-banned-at-the-workplace/
According to the site, employers argue that employees are distracted by the networks and therefore are less productive. It tackles the pros and cons of allowing social networking in the workplace.
References
Debate.org. n.d., Web. 05 Mar. 2013. Retrieved from: http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-social-networking-be-banned-for-school-children.
Love to know Social Networking. n.d., Web. 05 Mar. 2013 Retrieved from: http://socialnetworking.lovetoknow.com/Should_Social_Networking_Sites_be_Banned
The World Social Networking Ban Race. n.d., Web. 05 Mar. 2013Retrieved from: http://www.investintech.com/articles/theworldsocialnetworkingbanrace/
Social Smarty. n.d., Web. 05 Mar. 2013. Retrieved from: http://socialsmarty.com/small-business/should-social-networks-be-banned-at-the-workplace/
