Robert Kodama embarks on his journey through the world of Psychology

Websites that allow teenagers and young adults alike their own personal profiles on the internet are ever-increasingly becoming popular. But what is so good about them? Do they not promote an extent of paedophilia? Aren’t they dangerous as you are asked to provide some personal details? Aren’t these websites ideal targets for spammers?

People can think of many problems with sites like MySpace and Facebook but the bottom line is, the majority of the teenage population with internet access has at least one of these profiles.

But, what is it about these websites that attract the teenage audience?

What these websites allow people to do is to pursue communication for free when face-to-face communication is unavailable (CMC). People can comment each other and send messages and photos from the other side of the world without having to pay a single penny (except perhaps the internet connection).

What about e-mail you might ask. Well, this appears rather old fashioned in comparison to MySpace. Where’s your personalised profile? Where are your endless friends that you have met online? Where are the countless photo albums which you share with many around the world on e-mail?

CMC (Computer-Mediated-Communication) has become very important in young people today. It is part of their lives and if some are left for a few days without it, some report “withdrawal symptoms”. Young people need MySpace and Facebook in order to live. It has become a vitality like food or water. Some even think it’s more important than food or water!

As mentioned already, CMC allows communication when face-to-face communication is unavailable. CMC not only includes MySpace, but also includes public chatrooms, Window Live Messenger, and Mobile Phones. Teenagers are stereotyped lazy and CMC provides contact with personal friends and potential friends from around the world in the comfort of their own home.

Not only is it important for teenagers, but CMC is also deemed as an important tool by many others. Business meetings may rely on webcam communication from another part of the world. Personal profiles on the internet can promote an individual into success (e.g. Lilly Allen on MySpace). More personally, it is a maintenance tool for those in personal relationships. People use CMC to communicate loved ones when it is not possible. Comments and messages brighten up days. People resort to online dating when it looks plausible.

MySpace is one of the most popular websites to date and with good reason. What’s next?