The popularity of social networking sites is undeniable. Part of this (r)evolution is reflected in the increasing trend of sharing. On the internet, property is slowly becoming a relative concept. The success of online platforms like social networking sites goes along with this evolution.The trend is most obvious in the music industry. Via free peer-to-peer file sharing programs such as Kazaa, Limewire, BearShare and many others, songs have become a kind of common property. iTunes is starting to legalise downloading, but there is still a long way to go. Younger generations do not consider their behaviour as ’stealing’: the internet has become a place where almost everything is available to everyone.
So how exactly do SNS’es fit in? Networking sites are the ideal way to share our lives with others. Via tweets and status updates on Facebook people are constantly sharing their photos, opinions and innermost thoughts. And if you do not take part in this kind of exhibitionistic behaviour, you will be dragged into it at some point.
The only way to take some control, is to be present on the internet and try to shape the perception yourself, instead of letting it just happen.
Source:
http://www.nxt.be/pers/KW50-028-032.pdf
