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The website does what it says on the tin, it brings people together in social communities. It allows you, for example to join a network related to your University, find fellow friends and classmates, upload photographs, join groups associated with personal interests and send messages amongst many other things. It can be seen as a big social networking playground.

Additionally, many businesses use Facebook to promote and advertise their products and connect to a younger demographic audience. Another example of product promotion on Facebook is music bands setting up accounts to advertise and promote themselves. I have set up an account for my band allowing us to share the latest news, pictures, videos, song uploads and to set up 'Events' allowing us to invite fans and friends to, thus creating a virtual guest list and giving our band and gigs a virtual presence on the internet.

For the above reasons, plus many others, people see Facebook as having a positive impact on society, with its many uses and applications; but some have voiced their concern over Facebook's social impact.

It only takes a quick search of a news website, such as https://news.bbc.co.uk, to reveal many stories about cyber-bullying. Has this much praised internet phenomenon become another way for bullies to extend their reach and harass their victims? It would appear so. Although, it can be said that technology does not create bullying; it has just made it harder to ignore.

Many companies that are researching job applicants are using Facebook as a tool to get a better look at the individual in question. As is stated in Brandenburg (2008 p.598), 'Employers who hire graduating students are steadily discovering that social networking sites allow them to learn more than they ever could from reading an applicant's resume and cover letter'. Can this be seen as having a negative impact on individuals looking to get ahead in their career? If an individual was refused a job based on their Facebook profile activities, then many would strongly agree.

This leads me onto another strong aspect of Facebook's social impact, security; how do companies manage to research and view your Facebook profile even if you have implemented security measures on your account; and just how secure is your information?

脸书和安全——Facebook & Security

Facebook always stated that the security of their website has always been a top priority, but increased public awareness of identity theft, online fraud and data breaches is making them think hard about their security measures. (Facebook Factsheet 2009)

Employers use many tactics to circumvent security measures and gain access to job applicant's profiles and information. They use current employees Facebook accounts. As is stated in Brandenburg (2008 p.602), 'Not long ago, some of the employees now involved in making hiring decisions for their companies were students with their own Facebook profiles. Graduates can keep their profiles and maintain connection to their colleges' social networks, thereby maintaining connection to the college students who make up the next wave of employment hopefuls'.

Another tactic they adopt is the hiring of current university students, as is stated in Brandenburg (2008 p.602), 'current students who can access their peer's social networkin