A social networking site is an online place where a user can create a profile and build a personal network that connects him or her to other users. In short, people have been sharing opinions, information, photographs, and video clips, with their families, friends, and people at large. Recognizing the "vast number of communities developed on the internet", and realizing that "some of these online communities started growing and their websites began attracting millions of hits, the biggies in the new media business woke up to the business potential of 'social networking". Discusses the increasing intersections between social networking websites and other types of technology-based communication - "new" and "old" media, alike. For instance, since video uploads is a major attraction in social networking, websites such as You Tube are collaborating with music and media companies to upload their content on social networking websites for a fee as well as for adverting. While social networking facilitated by information and communication technology (ICT) can connect people, it can sometimes divide them. More than half (55%) of all online American youths ages 12-17 use online social networking sites, according to a new national survey of teenagers conducted by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.The survey also finds that older teens, particularly girls, are more likely to use these sites. For girls, social networking sites are primarily places to reinforce pre-existing friendships; for boys, the networks also provide opportunities for flirting and making new friends.


The developments of Internet social network services??

Internet social services is for communities of people who share interests and activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others throught online actives.
There are various ways for the people to intracts such as chat, messaging, email, video, voice chat, file sharing, blogging, discussion groups, and so on.

In general, social networking services, such as MySpace, Facebook and Friendster, allow users to create a profile for themselves. Users sre able to upload pictures they fancy and can be "friends" with other users. In most social networking services, both users must allow the confirmation of adding as friends before they are linked to one another. Some of the Popular methods now are with MySpace, Bebo,Facebook and friendster.

Research of a US Web stats company Compete has some interesting analysis about social networking sites. In end 2006, estimated 2 out of every 3 people online visited a social networking site. Since January 2004, the number of people visiting or taking part in one of the top online social networks has grown by over 109% compare to 2006. these show that internet social network services are getting more popular and common compare to past years.

• Explosive growth

Internet social network services have its popularity increased in the past five years. Reason is because in 21st Century, there are internet connection everywhere and has their own computers at home, this makes people from all over the world to communicate easily rather than travel from country to country to meet new people. Nevertheless, with web pages like Youtube, which consist of video, allow user to post their video and share with others whom have common interests with a particular topic, this bring people one step closer to one another. Also, web pages such as Friendster and Facebook has the function of “Friends Finder”, this allow user to search for interesting people all over the world as well as to find a long lost friend. Facebook consist application like games which interest younger people to register as a member and play the game, at the same time, meet new people. Another interesting issue is that, a couple would get to know each other, they start dating and got married. Due to advance technologies, we also have webcam which is another source that brings internet social network service a greater height. Just by clicking the computer, everyone got to know one another other by their interest, their photos and now, even live broadcasting of yourself. Thus, the convinency of the internet, building of internet social network web page from the web developer and advance technologies are the reason why there is a explosive growth to the internet social network service.

• Explosive growth for the next five years?

Pro Many believe that this internet social network service will last for a couple of years more. Internet social network web page are not perfect for their features, due to the demand and feedback from user, web developer will continuously enhance their web pages with a lot of new features that interest the curious users to try out. Besides that, expanding the circle of friends by communicating through the internet will cut down much more cost than buying an air ticket to travel. Many people feel that it is more convenient and comfortable to use the internet stationed at home for their past time, and gain of meeting new people all over different the world. However, we are not sure if people will get sick of the internet social network services after using the web pages for quite sometime. Also, some might think that meeting people through the internet is unrealistic. Furthermore, as internet social network services have its popularity increased, hackers have also increases. Most importantly, due to people are not meeting up face to face, many have taken advantages of their piracy. A lot of people are giving too much information of themselves to others and this will lead to crime. Especially, parent’s of teenager are worried about their children of getting cheated. Thus, parents usually object this internet social network services. Internet social network services have also bring problems, so will people still continue to support internet social network service for greater growth for the coming years?