In the past 5 years (roughly), internet users have all contributed to a large social experiment of sorts. It is absolutely amazing what can be found today on the internet if you stop to think about it. What I find most interesting is how much information individuals are willing to put up about themselves. How much should we really divulge?
Take for instance Facebook. A well-known and currently popular social networking site that enables account members to show themselves and share information in order to build relationships. It has almost become something relied upon to find out items of interest about our friends, family, and acquaintences. You can see who’s dating who (or who has just broken up for that matter), ongoing conversations of others, and pictures of who does what on the weekends. I’m not sure just how healthy this is. Think of all the things you’ve learned about others without ever having human contact with them.
There is a communication theory that outlines this problem, but the theory came about in the early 90’s, long before the likes of facebook. It is called the Social Information Processing theory or SIP. Essentially, it addresses the rate and significance of personal information that is relayed over the internet. It is a dangerous thing because it is so easy reveal a great deal on information. There is less thought about the consequences, and more depth shared at an accelerated rate. What will be extremely interesting is the effects of websites like eharmony and match.com. Within the next 20 years there will probably be a great deal of research surrounding those divorces and how SIP played a part in that.
In my opinion, there is an extreme overdependance on internet relations. Before you know it, there will be no privacy. Hopefully, more people will realize how this is potentially hurtful to themselves and others before it is too late. We need to reevaluate the benefits of this online information frenzy.
Lyrics from Say Hello by Rosie Thomas.
