In today's world, because face to face bullying is not enough for the bullies, now when the bully's victims are online, they proceed to cyber-bullying. Social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace have been great places for cyber-bullying to spread its wings further and further torment users. In this article it informs us the number of online users and MySpace and Facebook users that have been victimized through cyber-bullying. It appears that more females have reported being bullied than males have (38% to 26%). Also, 39% of facebook and Facebook users have reported being cyber-bullied. The extremities of the cyber-bullying can reach pretty high, as to threatening someone that they will shoot them as said in this article that explains how a 12 year old was arrested for threatening to shoot up his school and certain fellow students on his Facebook page. I think that it is a lot more easier for online bullying to occur rather than just regular face to face bullying to occur. Why? Well lets say you are a nerd and you are in a chatroom and someone negatively replies to your comments and then they personal message you insulting you. This person could be 7'2, benching 400 lbs., have an anger problem, and be really dumb due to the fact he called you a "dummy". Because you do not know who this person is, you are more likely to feel more confident saying what you want knowing this person won't be able to hit you. This feeling of superiority could lead to a cocky internet personality and thus another internet bully is born, and in the form of a nerd. In reality, if you (still looking like Steve Urkel) were to come upon the Arnold Schwarchenegger on a roid rage, you would totally not disagree with the guy. I guess there's more of a chance a regular person becoming an bully over the internet rather than real life because of the all the major details of a bully is unknown which would be how strong and scary looking they are.
Aside from the bullying, social networking sites are also used for positive influence and positive support. This article talks about non-profit organizations that gathers support through social networking sites such as MySpace and Facebook. I am not a Facebook person, I am more of a MySpace kind of guy, and from my knowledge there is a Causes sections just for organizations that involve helping people and animals in need, and making global problems aware. These organizations are able to raise money and get the word out on their problems. Groups that talk about Breast Cancer, Global Warming, Animal Rights, etc. all have thousands of users and through MySpace, have been able to raise money to help find a cure for breast cancer, or to improve animal facilites.
Facebook also has a section in their website for non-profits organizations listed earlier which is called MySpace Impact. The big difference between Causes and MySpace Impact would be that there is a lot more online interaction with MySpace Impact as there are videos, pictures, and more websites you can visit to find out how one can take part in a certain issue. I really like this about these two famous social networking sites. But the only thing that I see a great flaw in is that most of the members of the groups in MySpace are just members. Meaning that they aren't active at all. I'll admit to the fact that I am part of two groups which I vaguely remember joining and they concern a pretty big issue. Maybe to help increase member activity, MySpace should notify members of any new information or new events hosted by the organizations in the Causes application.