Social Media Research Synthesis Essay

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This section discusses the answers found to the research question defined in the earlier chapter.
RQ. What are the main security risks/threats against opportunities / rewards recognized in social media so far?
The purpose of this research question is to identify the currently known risks/threats to social media platforms which in terms of benefits/advantages are impossible to avoid. Social media is a topic that had been a part of Internet quite a long ago, so therefore in this literature review, we limited our research from 2004-2013, period of ten years which has been crucial period for social media as there have been so many social media network platforms, launched by small, mid-size companies and as well individual developer vendors. To …show more content…

(McBride, 2011) McBride further believed that Cyber bullying is a common phenomenon; according to a survey conducted by Common Sense Media, 19% of teens complain that they have been harassed online or cyber bullied, and 38% know of someone else who has been which can lead these teens to darker aspects of their life such as anxiety, depression, and suicide. (Common Sense Media, 2009) Sexting is also common in teen community. Examples of sexting are widespread distribution of such photos via cell phones and computers that may result in emotional distress, school suspension, and many legal problems. Sharing too much of one’s information and giving false information about themselves or others are some of the privacy issues. Mcbride also coined the term “digital footprint” which is the collective, ongoing history or record of one’s web activity. When users visit several websites, they leave behind record of which sites they have visited. (McBride,