Social networking has grown tremendously over the years.  The popular networking site MySpace has overtaken Google and Yahoo to become the most visited site in the US, and remains the most popular teen networking site.

Myspace, Bebo, Facebook, and Livejournal all allow users to network each other online. Today nearly 60 percent of teens aged 12 to 17 and 80 percent of 18 to 21-year-olds use social-networking sites, according to a Forrester Research report released in June.

These online networking profiles allow us to share pictures, videos, photos, music, and other multimedia formats, as well as saying who we are. This being one of the main reasons teens use networking sites, they can choose their identity, and be whoever they want. Everyone around the world can access your page. Social networking gives the user the ultimate freedom to express them selves however they want. “Trinity DNA” is a frequent Myspace user and changes her looks on her pictures through various means such as wigs. “I am a mysterious shady enigma” said Trinity DNA.

Many teens twist a few truths when networking, and it isn’t uncommon for them to completely lie, however it is this freedom that allows the user to be who they want. “I use social network sites like Bebo and Myspace to be who I want.” Said 14-year-old Sam Caney. “I don’t tend to lie much, just give things a twist about myself, its just a good way to be someone slightly different for a while.” I’m a typical teen: I have four online profiles, one on Myspace, Bebo, Facebook, and Livejournal, although I only regularly use Myspace. I try to stay as truthful as possible as it is my friends I network with.

 It wasn’t long ago that all these networking sites didn’t exist, now they’re massive. Because of this huge rise in such a short amount of time, one may wonder what the future holds for these sites. It could be that we will be able to network using our mobiles or other portable devices. Networking may also become a more popular way to advertise your CV and offer yourself for employment.

However with social networking comes many responsibilities the user must be aware of, plus risks. Just like a diary, if in the wrong hands a lot of damage, aggravation, and even danger is in store for the profile owner. A report by Amanda Lenhart and Mary Madden published in summer 2007 showed that 43% of social networking teens have been contacted by complete strangers, and 31% of social networking teens have friends on their list who they have never actually met.

Luckily, teens are able to block unwanted visitors from viewing their profiles. “I don’t block everyone except friends” said jellyellie, a teen who frequently networks. “However I am very careful about the information I put forward about myself.” The report showed that 66% of teen users had their profile set to private which meant only their friends could view the profile. If a user chooses to allow strangers to view their profiles it means any details, be it a phone number or address, will be made available to the public.

So why do teens use social networking sites? Some do it to promote any work they have done, or to show off any accomplishments. Some use networking to meet potential partners, and have online relationships and others just have profiles for the sake of it, or too try and create a twist on their life to make themselves seem more interesting and different. The majority of teens however use social networking for making friends, with 49% of users using networking for this purpose. “I find networking a very efficient way to meet new people,” said Sarah Jones, 17, a frequent teen network user. “And providing you don’t give away too much personal information, networking is usually just a great safe way to meet new people”

“I think accessibility plays a big part in the online networking popularity,” says Osman Diallo. “Because it means anybody, anywhere, can easily view or edit their own profile.” Between me and my friends, we now know people in America and Finland – people we wouldn’t otherwise talk to.

It is also inevitable that these sites will continue to grow. A report by Mark Ward showed that during Bebo’s first 13 months it attracted 22 million users.
And because of accessibility and simplicity of the sites, the youth and older generations will always be able to quickly create a profile about themselves that suits their needs. I will keep all of my profiles, but will carefully monitor the details I’m giving, and the friends I make

So teens all around the world are already using social networking sites. The question is what will happen when all the adults start to create profiles for themselves, and the child stumbles across their parent’s page. You can imagine the embarrassment: “mum – you did what last night?!!” Whatever happens though it’s clear that social networking will rise in popularity, both within the teen and adult community.