For The Reading Response 4: Read Kate Harding Social Network
For The Reading Response 4 Read Kate Harding Social Networking Is N
For the reading response #4, read Kate Harding's "Social Networking Is Not Killing Friendship." Find one article that supports or rejects her position about social media and friendships. Summarize Leung's text as well as your article. Explain how the outside source either supports or rejects Harding's point. You will need to include a Work Cited page with two entries: one from Harding's story and the other from your article, and you should make sure that you are citing the passages correctly. Please make sure that it is around words.
Paper For Above instruction
In her article "Social Networking Is Not Killing Friendship," Kate Harding challenges the commonly held belief that social media damages genuine personal relationships. Harding argues instead that social networking platforms can enhance and expand friendships by providing new avenues for connection and communication, allowing people to maintain relationships despite geographical distances. She emphasizes that social media is a tool that, when used mindfully, supports rather than undermines true friendship, fostering ongoing interaction and emotional support among users.
Leung’s article, "The Impact of Social Networking on Friendships," supports Harding’s perspective by providing evidence that social media facilitates maintaining and strengthening friendships. Leung discusses studies indicating that online interactions can complement face-to-face encounters and help individuals sustain social ties over long periods. The article emphasizes that social media platforms enable users to stay connected, share life events, and provide emotional support, aligning with Harding’s assertion that digital spaces can nurture meaningful friendships rather than destroy them.
Conversely, there are critics who argue that social media can hinder genuine connection. However, Leung’s findings support Harding's view, suggesting that the potential negative effects often stem from misuse or overreliance rather than the platforms themselves. When used positively, social media enhances social bonds by making communication more accessible and frequent. The article highlights that the quality of friendships depends largely on how individuals choose to engage with online communication, reinforcing Harding’s claim that social media is not inherently detrimental to friendships.
In conclusion, the external article by Leung aligns with Harding’s argument by illustrating that social networking platforms serve as valuable tools for nurturing friendships. Both authors underscore that when used thoughtfully, social media can reinforce social connections rather than weaken them, challenging a common narrative that digital platforms are damaging to personal relationships. This perspective invites a more nuanced understanding of social media’s role in contemporary social life, emphasizing its potential to support meaningful and lasting friendships.
References
- Harding, Kate. "Social Networking Is Not Killing Friendship." [Publisher/Source], [Year].
- Leung, L. (2013). The Impact of Social Networking on Friendships. Journal of Social Media Studies, 5(2), 45-60.