OVERVIEW: The current online media world is buzzing with user generated content. The most successful internet companies provide space and technologies, users provide content. News articels. video and music clips and personal promotion fill the hard drives of high-prowered servers. User created content and social networks are the paradigm under which site like MySpace, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter thrive to unprecedented heights, envied by traditional media content provides. CNN writes : "Our personas in vitual space are increasingly integrated with our "real life" identities; a growing number of people have Facebook profiles, blogs and Flickr accounts." (CNN 2007 [Online]) But there are inherent dangers such as mobbing or unauthorised data mining. It happened in the past that "large groups of people can mobilized to attack a perceived transgressor without their accusers providing any real evidence of their guilt. On the Internet, the mob can be judge and jury." (CNN 2007 [Online]) The virtual reality developer and Internet guru Jaron Lanier wrote in recent article in TIME, "collectives tend to be mean...... We might be genetically wired to be vulnerable to the lure of the mob" How dangerous is it to reveal your identity on the Internet? How can you protect yourself from abuse? What are your experiences in the respect on social web spaces such a MySpace? In this essay write a critical analysis on the dangers of social networking. Critically evaluate positive and negative aspects. Look at the effects of these sites on juveniles, adults, celebrities and possibly activists. Think of possible solutions for protecting the individual''s rights on sites like these. Draw overall conclusions regarding the current and future implications of social networking with respect to the media industry at large. Ensure that quoted materials are used effectively to support your argumentation. Where appropriate you may also attach additional reference material in the appendix of the assignment. REQUIREMENTS: - Demonstrate critical and conceptual thinking - Use quotes from a variety of valid sources - Present clear and insightful opinions - 1000 words - The assignment must be submitted in essay format - Ensure that all quoted material is clearly referenced in accordance with the Harvard referencing guidelines