Joining an Online Social Networking Community for Friendship and Information

Introduction

Do you use the internet on a regular basis? If you do, there is a good chance that you have heard of websites like MySpace, Senior FriendFinder, Classmates, or Yahoo! 360. What do all of these websites have in common? They are known as social networking websites. Social networking websites, over the past few years, have rapidly increased in popularity, so much that many are wondering why.

Main Digest

If you have used a social networking website before, it is likely that you are already fully aware of their popularity and the reason for popularity. There is just something about these websites that draw in millions of internet users. With a wide variety of different social networking websites available, there are a wide variety of different reasons for their popularity. One those reasons being the ease of use.

Social networking websites are, for the most part, easy to use. Most sites are easy to navigate. In fact, many require little knowledge of the internet. In addition to being easy to navigate, social networking websites also make it easier to meet new people online. There are many internet users who would love to make new friends online; however, that can sometimes be difficult do. Without social networking websites, you would have to connect with internet users, often in chat rooms, and learn about their interests before deciding if you would like to consider them your "buddy." Social networking sites allow you to learn information about another internet user before ever having to make contact with them.

Another one of the many reasons why social networking sites are popular is because many are free to use. In fact, the majority of social networking sites, such as MySpace and Yahoo! 360, are free to use. Despite being free to use, many websites require that you register with them. This registration will not only allow you to create your own profile or online web page, but it will also allow you to contact other networking members.

Although most social networking websites are free to use, there are some that are not. Classmates is one of those websites. Many of these websites give you a free trial period or a free membership. That membership can be used to help you determine whether or not the website is worth paying for. What is nice about paid online social networking websites is that many can be considered exclusive. Since most internet users would not want to pay for something that they can get for free, most paid social networking sites are limited on the number of members they have. This may work out to your advantage because it tends to eliminate those who create fake accounts or aim to cause controversy online.

Social networking websites are also popular because they come in a wide variety of different formats. Websites like Yahoo! 360 and MySpace focus on a wide variety of different topics. This means that just about anyone can join. However, there are other social networking sites out there that have a particular focus. These focuses may be on a particular religion, disability, political following, or hobby. Most specialty social networking sites restrict the individuals that can participate in their network; thus, making your experience more enjoyable.

Finally, social networking websites focus on meeting new people, especially online, but over recent months, many have started including additional features only available to their online members. Many social networking members can receive their own free webpage, get free access to popular music videos, a free blog, and much more. Although social networking websites are popular enough to bring in members on their own, these additional features are, in a way, providing internet users with an incentive to join.

Mentioned above were a few of the most popular social networks that could be found online. Those networks included MySpace, Yahoo! 360, Disabled World's disability community, and Classmates. If you are looking for additional social networking websites, you should easily be able to find some by performing a standard internet search.

Social Networking: Yahoo! 360

Yahoo is one of the most well known companies in the entire world. They are often considered an internet giant. This is because Yahoo offers a wide range of different online services. Those services include, but are not limited to, shopping, gaming, travel, music, movies, and more. In fact, Yahoo is also well known for their creation of an online social network. That network is known as Yahoo! 360.

To sign up for Yahoo! 360, you must have a Yahoo user id and password. If you already have a Yahoo email account or participate in another Yahoo program, you should be able to use the same information. In the event that you do not have a Yahoo user id and password, but you would like to get one, you easily can, all in a matter of minutes. You should be able to do this from the Yahoo! 360 homepage or by visiting Yahoo's main web page.

Once you have a Yahoo user id, the sign up process literally takes seconds. After that, you can begin to explore the site. To make the most out of Yahoo! 360, you are encouraged to explore the site before you begin making your own webpage. You should read the Yahoo! 360 help page because it will provide you with steps on how to use the social networking site, including making your own profile page. You may also want to quickly examine other member pages. This will give you an idea as to what is popular and what is not.

In addition to creating your own profile page, you can also start your own Yahoo! 360 blog. This is a great way to start your own blog, free of charge. You also do not have to worry about signing up with another blogging program. With Yahoo! 360 you can do everything including, meet new people, chat with them, and create your own blog, all in one place.

As with most other online social networking websites, Yahoo! 360 allows you to meet new people. This is done by using the numerous search features. By searching with a keyword, such as a city, state, or hobby, you should be able to find a fairly large number of members that share the same interests with you. If you wish, you could invite them to be one of your friends. In addition to inviting your own friends, it is likely that you will be invited as well. This is because as soon as you create your own Yahoo! 360 page, your page can be searched by other internet users.

One of the many features of Yahoo! 360 that stands apart from the rest is your homepage. Yahoo defines your homepage as the page that you will first see when you sign into your 360 account. While the homepage itself isn't considered unique, what you will find on it can be. Displayed on your homepage will be information on all of your online friends. This information will list or outline changes that were made to their pages. These updates will help to ensure that you do not miss a thing.

When it comes to Yahoo! 360 there is one thing that is important to note. This online social networking website is easier to use than most. As previously mentioned, you can be singed up for an account in as little as a few seconds. The website is easy to navigate, really easy. You do not have to have any experience in HTML or web design to enjoy everything that Yahoo! 360 has to offer.

Social Networking: What Not to Put in Your Social Network Profile

Online social networks have rapidly increased in popularity, especially over the past couple of years. Social networking websites are popular because they easily allow you to find, connect with, and develop friendships with other internet users, often ones that share the same interests as you. To find those individuals, you must join a social networking website and create a profile. It is often advertised that your social networking profile is the key to making and finding friends online.

As previously mentioned, your social networking profile is important when it comes to meeting other internet users. This is because, in most cases, internet users are looking to chat with someone who has the same goals, views, beliefs, and interests as they do. Without a personal profile, it would be difficult or impossible to tell what your interests are. That is why social networking profiles are not only important, but they are needed.

When it comes to social networking profiles, a lot of focus has been placed on what you should include in your profile or display on your profile page. It has been said that pictures produce the best responses, as well as detailed personal information. Although a picture and detailed personal information may help to increase your page views, you may be getting views that you do not necessarily want. Despite what you may believe, most social networking websites do not have restrictions on who can view your personal profile. In fact, internet users, even those that do not belong to your online community, can easily see profile.

Since anyone, literally anyone, can see your social networking profile, on most social networking websites, you are advised to be cautious. Essentially, this means that instead of focusing on what you should put in your online profile, you should be focusing on what not to put. This is one the best ways to protect your safety, both on and offline.

As previously mentioned, pictures are often recommended with social networking websites. If you are interested in positing a personal picture of yourself in your online profile you can do so, but you are advised to carefully choose that picture. While you will want to look your best, you are advised against posting a picture that is too revealing or seductive in nature. Most internet users can look at these types of pictures without feeling a thing, but for others these types of pictures spell danger.

If you make the decision to post a picture of yourself in your social networking website profile, you need to be careful about the rest of the information that you post. Although you may not necessarily think about it, a picture is just a picture, but combined with your name and address, it could be a deadly combination. You are advised to only post your first name in your profile. This will make it more difficult for anyone to try and contact you off of the internet.

It is also advised that you carefully choose your location. A large number of online social networking sites require that you select a city, as well as a state. If it is allowed, you may only wish to list your state and not the city. If you are required to list the city and the state that you live in, you may want to think about using a nearby city or town, especially if you live in a small town. If an internet predator wanted to contact you and you lived in a small town, it could be fairly easy for them to find you. That is why it is advised that you carefully select the answer to the location question.

In addition to the above precautionary measures, it is advised that you do not post detailed information on your children, the location of your home, your income, or when you will be leaving for vacation. By keeping these and the above mentioned points in mind, you should be able to enjoy online social networking without having to always look behind your back.

Related Information

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• Introducing Seniors to Social Media Improves Health and Combats Isolation
• Social Media Use Associated With Depression in Young Adults
• Integrating Social Media in the Humanities Online Classroom
• The Four Types of Social Media Use: What Your Likes and Posts Say About You

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Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2009, February 2 - Last revised: 2023, June 8). Joining an Online Social Networking Community for Friendship and Information. Disabled World. Retrieved September 10, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/communication/community/social-networking-communities.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/communication/community/social-networking-communities.php">Joining an Online Social Networking Community for Friendship and Information</a>: Information on social networking defined as grouping individuals together into specific groups like a small community or neighborhood.

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