Exploring Social Networking Sites By Wendi Williams, Editor

Social networking online is nothing new for individuals that used electronic bulletin boards, newsgroups, or chat rooms to post comments or to converse with people from around the world. Today, social networks are described as online sites where users can create personal profiles, post photos, videos, blogs, and chat or send e-mail. In other words, form a network with other Internet users with similar interests, values, or beliefs. For Extension communicators, it's like looking into a whole new world with unlimited possibilities, particularly when trying to reach urban audiences. Others, however, may view these networks as "something new to learn or something we don't have time to do." The bottom line is that the Internet is here to stay and technology will consistently dictate how we function in the workplace. While learning new technology is time consuming, it could make life easier in the long run.

Gone are the days when we function strictly face-to-face or what is termed as physical space. With escalating gas prices, budget cuts, and the pressure to come up with new, innovative, and nontraditional projects, we will spend more and more of our time posting information online or connecting with co-workers and our customers electronically. Twenty-first century workers are learning to operate in both physical and electronic space in order to fully engage diverse audiences.

I knew I had entered another world last year when I picked up a postcard for a neighborhood event that required you to RSVP by sending a text message. Or just last week, I had to contact a potential young speaker for a community event through e-mail. This is not unusual, except her e-mail account was on MySpace, a popular social networking site. Because of her site restrictions, I had to set up a MySpace account. While I had no luck reaching her by phone, she immediately responded to my e-mail.

I also attended the Internet safety workshop during the 2008 Teens and Tweens Conference. I was amazed when the workshop instructor asked the group if they had a Web page on MySpace and 99 percent of the youth raised his or her hand. Times have indeed changed!

Luckily, Alabama Extension is functioning in both worlds and exploring ways in which we could best benefit from social networking.

If you are unfamiliar with social networking sites, then I would encourage you to go online to see how these sites work. Common social networking sites are Facebook and LinkedIn, a site designed specifically for professionals. While sites like MySpace are often associated with online predators, if used properly, they are great tools to post educational videos and informative articles where users can respond with insightful comments. After all, this information could help to improve the quality of life from anywhere in the world.

Be adventurous and explore social networking sites to determine which one best meets your professional needs.

Herring, Peg. (June 2008). Who's that knocking at our door? Characterizing Extension's online clientele. Journal of Extension. Retrieved July 17, 2008.

Sobrero, Patricia M. (June 2008). Social learning through virtual teams and communities. Journal of Extension. Retrieved July 17, 2008.

The Economist. (March 19, 2008). Online social networks: Everywhere and nowhere.

Wells, Amy T. (February 6, 2008). A portrait of early Internet adopters: Why people first went online and why they stayed. Pew Internet & American Life Project. Retrieved July 17, 2008.

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