Is Social Networking Dying?
I’ve never been into mySpace or that dreaded Bebo… or any other faddish, pointless community socialising crap. Eek don’t hit me! I do however like Facebook. It still annoys me with it’s ‘pokes’ and irrelevant and annoying plugins that everyone splashes over their pages, although isn’t as visually unappealing and tacky as it’s rivals.
I use Facebook as a tool to keep in touch and up-to-date with friends across the world or that I haven’t seen in years – not to create god-awful ‘band’ and ‘fan’ sites laced with horrendous colour schemes and poorly-built plugins that throw the page’s layout all to cock.
Rant over. This isn’t personal, I don’t wish the downfall of such social sites; they provide mind-numbing entertainment for millions of teenagers all over the world, holding conversations with friends over a message board instead of picking up a phone or god forbid leaving the house. However, it seems to be an increasingly apparent prospect – social networking, or at least the giants of social networking, are beginning to loose a footing.
But don’t fear – this is just the way of the internet. Few things last, unless they constantly provide a service which is irreplaceable – ie Wikipedia and Google. Particularly fads that are aimed at children and teenagers. They grow up, move on, one day they’re on a street corner gulping cheap cider – the next day they skateboard or smoke pot in the woods. I am in no way basing that terrible stereotype on my own experiences, so feel free to ignore it.
People grow bored of trends like mySpace. I took the time to peruse some old mySpace sites I use to visit a year or 2 ago. And they haven’t been updated or barely visited in over 6 months! This may prove my theory wrong – maybe it’s not social networking that’s dying – but simply specific sites are fading out, only to be replaced by new, glossy social networking sites where you build your account and friends list all over again!
I’ve decided to put this article together because I personally have noticed a decline. But I may have been looking the wrong way. I see less links to mySpace sites, I barely know anyone on Bebo and even though Facebook still continues to mooch along – I feel it’s reaching the limit of it’s potential. Which doesn’t bother me because I only use Facebook for what it’s sole purpose is, and in that respect it’s spot on.
Don’t misunderstand me – these sites will be around for many years, and will continue to make their millions. But I think they’ve had their peak. It’s time for something new, like this ‘Second Life’ I’ve been hearing whispers of. I’m going to keep my eye out for that. Until then, I’m content with Facebook, MSN and that old tradition – going out!
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Phil Brangers said:
I agree that myspace and such is on the outs. I don’t however think its an indication of the decline of Social Networking, I think its just a sign of the internet masses leaning toward a nicer cleaner trend..ie facebook.. and the scourge of the net finally slimming
Carrie2 said:
Adding this to my bookmarks. Thank You
Sanghmitra said:
Facebook sucks too.. Its pokes and games are annoying like hell.. I think the world needs a more serious n clean social networking site..