WHAT IS IT?
A blog is a website in which items are posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. Like other media, blogs often focus on a particular subject, such as food, politics, or local news. Some blogs function as online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. Since its appearance in 1995, blogging has emerged as a popular means of communication, affecting public opinion and mass media around the world.
Social Networking
Social Networking areas are websites with applications which help connect friends using a number of tools like blogs, profiles, internal email systems and photos. Well known sites include Bebo, Myspace, Facebook and LiveJournal, and these have become an influential part of contemporary culture.
How do young people use them?
Firstly, they sign up and create their own profile’s or ‘space’. Often, these contain standard sections such as About Me and Who I'd Like to Meet and also include things like Music, Films, Sports, Scared Of and Happiest When. They can also add specific personal details such as physical appearance, and the school you go to. Most sites also have a blog (see above for definition) where children can write daily thoughts or include articles which they find interesting.
A big part of customising their ‘space’ can be uploading images or pictures onto their site. One of the pictures can be chosen to be the "default image" and this will be seen on the profile's main page.
There is often also an option to upload videos as well – including music videos and personally recorded films.