Social Networking: Better or Worse than the Real Thing?

Teenagers as young as 13 years old have become the majority and key demographic of users that utilize social networking sites. These young adults are quick to establish an online profile for themselves - primarily for personal and casual use, typically to connect with classmates. As users mature, so do their online personas: rather than deciding on a filter for their latest selfie, they're deciding on a filter for their lives so that they can choose to make themselves look more appealing. Some would argue that we are choosing to commodify our social life - as if we are constantly creating an image of ourselves that we will never be able to sufficiently attain. Throughout this research paper, I will discuss the impact and contrasts of social networking virtually versus in person. I will compare the different usages of social networking: from personal to casual to professional, and the advantages and disadvantages of the variety.