Explain Social Network Services (SNS).
Concept / Definition:
A Social Network Service (SNS) is an internet-based platform designed to enable users to create profiles, connect with others, and share information, media, and activities. Well-known examples include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and LinkedIn.
Historical Background:
SNS platforms began emerging in the late 1990s, with early examples like SixDegrees.com. In the early 2000s, services such as Friendster, MySpace, and Facebook popularized the concept. Over time, SNS evolved from simple friend-finding tools to complex ecosystems integrating multimedia sharing, targeted advertising, and AI-driven content recommendations.
Purpose of Emergence:
The primary objectives are to connect people, facilitate communication, support community building, and provide marketing and information-sharing channels for individuals, organizations, and enterprises.
SNS platforms typically have:
Data Flow:
Client (web or mobile app) ⇄ API Gateway ⇄ Application Server ⇄ Database/Storage ⇄ CDN (Content Delivery Network) for media distribution.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|
Instant and broad communication | Privacy risks |
Effective marketing and brand awareness | Spread of misinformation |
Community building & collaboration | User addiction and productivity loss |
Real-time customer feedback | Cyberbullying and harassment potential |
Summary:
SNS is a foundational technology in the digital era, enabling mass-scale interaction, information exchange, and community formation. While it provides significant benefits in communication, marketing, and social engagement, it also presents challenges in privacy, misinformation, and social impact. Responsible design, ethical use, and robust security measures are essential.
Child-friendly Summary:
SNS is like a big online playground where people can talk, share pictures, and make friends from all over the world.
Category | Key Points |
---|---|
Definition | Internet platform for social interaction and content sharing |
Key Functions | Profiles, relationships, feeds, messaging, notifications |
Examples | Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn |
Advantages | Fast communication, marketing, community building |
Disadvantages | Privacy risks, misinformation, addiction risk |
Applications | Marketing, PR, customer support, internal networking |
Trends | Short videos, AI personalization, social commerce |