Social networks pushed to the limit.

- Written for QUT Feature Writing assessment. 2011.

Technology has become advanced and convenient to users all over the world but has put massive pressure on social networking websites.  With easy access from computers, laptops and mobiles, the phenomenon of tweeting and status updating has gone too far.

Anyone, in any country, with access to the internet can join a social networking website, especially the giants of the industry, Facebook and Twitter. Anyone can talk about anything and it is here where the big issue comes into question, when can a user go beyond their rights?

People can post statuses about practically anything. What they are wearing, what they are doing, their favourite ban’s fan page or a picture of themselves. The actions of a user are immediate. While these social networking websites insist that they have mandatory censoring system, as soon as someone posts or tweets on their profile it appears instantly.

Elizabeth Bernstein, columnist for the Wall Street Journal, told News Busters that social networking websites are essentially cutting out emotion from conversations. “One of the big problems is how we converse,” Bernstein said. “Typing still leaves something to be desired as a communication tool; it lacks the nuances that can be expressed by body language and voice inflection.”

Facebook has over 400 million users with 50% of these users logging on to Facebook in any given day. While Twitter is smaller with 26 million active users, people can see interaction between anyone including celebrities such as Lady GaGa, Elton John or the Queen.

Noel Sheppard, Associate Editor of NewsBusters, believes that while these mediums might be increasing interaction, it isn’t likely decreasing the quality of such interactions.

“There's a ceiling on the number of characters and words one can put in a Facebook comment,” says Sheppard. 

“In fact, most comments have become Twitterish -- a brief, pithy sentence or two, and on you go.Is this the future of interpersonal relationships, how shallow and uninformed will future generations be if this is the extent of their conversations?”

The big worry with social networking websites is the increase in people abusing the platform, freedom of speech. With abusive comments and horrific bullying alive in social networking websites, people seem to think that because it is typed and not spoken, it won’t have the same affect.

Elliot Fletcher, a 12 year old St Patrick’s school boy was killed in 2010 after being stabbed by a fellow classmate. Members of his school community created a Facebook page to commemorate his life. Over 3,200 people joined this page that could leave comments on the wall reflecting their personal memories of him and the emotions towards his death. It was also used to pass on messages to the family of Elliot.

“So young. So many opportunities you missed. But you're in a better place now. I'll see you up there mate," wrote Jacob Dare, one of hundreds of heartfelt messages from shocked friends.

But towards midnight on the day this page was created, photos began appearing, showing distressing scenes of murder, race-hate, bestiality and callous messages.

"Woot. I'm dead," read one message in mock spraypaint over a headshot of the 12-year-old.

Many pictures were uploaded including one of an African-American child’s head on a silver platter and an ad for silver knives.

If the close family and friends to Elliot weren’t dealing with enough, the abusive acts from random individuals could have easily pushed them over the edge.

Bradley Paul Hampson, 29, was caught weeks after and ordered to serve 12 months imprisonment for his actions.

The page was removed, eight hours later, but the damage had already been done.

Santo Russo, psychologist and owner of Better Life Psychology believes that society is resilient and will adapt to anything thrown at it but users of these websites need to be careful.

“The outcry on this occasion is a good indicator of the need for social sanctions (jail terms) that can be applied as they are for other crimes,” Santo Russo said.

“This is a question of censorship and there are various approaches to it,”

“What is important is that people condemn any abusive behaviour on social networking by being educated and rational rather than emotional,”

“The moral fibre of a community is reflected in the way in which this behaviour is dealt with.”

As years go on, and technology rapidly changes, social networking websites will become old and there will be a new medium. People need to be aware of the implications of abusive behaviour on these websites as well as understanding what these websites are truly about, connecting with people.

“They (social networks) are simply another format for human communication and evolve as we saw when writing took over from speaking and telephones took over from letters and so on and so on.” Santo Russo said.