What is social networking?Our o-pinion is that it refers to a communication network platform on which people can transmit information limitlessly, publicly and freely by using computer technology .Social networking can instantly send and share information , create a dialogue , make a video chat, post comments , and so forth. In brief, it can help people make friends , get instant news, and satisfy one ’ s emotional needs without even leaving home .Social networking now has be-come a public opinion platform .With the drive of social networking , the distance between people has become much closer; communication has be-come more frequent; communication speed has be-come faster , and it also has become more conven-ient for people to have emotional exchanges and share information . Social networking has many characteristics, such as public openness , interac-tivity, instantaneity, randomness and openness . Today, social networking is already closely related to people’ s daily life.It is worth of noting here that the role of ethnic contact and ethnic communi-cation that are closely related to the concept of eth-nic relations is very large in daily life . To some degree, ethnic awareness, ethnic emotion, eth-nic psychology and even ethnic conflicts are all produced due to the ethnic communication and eth-nic contact .Seen from traditional ethnic relations , because of the restrictions of traffic , geography , etc.ethnic contact, or ethnic communication is relatively limited.However, under the conditions of networking , the situation is different , and eth-nic contact and communication can happen at any time.The new type of ethnic relations formed un-der the condition of networking will doubtlessly in-fluence ethnic awareness , emotion, psychology , and even the conflicts .
All people who engage in social networkingsurely have a relationship with ethnicity.Peoplewho do not have an ethnicity do not exist at present.Actually, social networking really has impactedon ethnic relations.Social networking is anew tool for communication, and the key is how touse it.If it is not used properly, it will createnegative influences.Following the popularity ofthe networking in ethnic areas, the influence ofsocial networking will become bigger and bigger .This kind of influence, no matter if in the past,present or future, will produce both positive andnegative influences.Seen from specific terms, thepositive impacts of social networking mainly are reflectedas follows: 1) Through social networking,various ethnic groups can have an equal dialogue ,strengthen mutual understanding, resolve contradictionsand promote unity; 2) Through socialnetworking, various ethnic groups can have friendlycommunications, learn from each, promoteeach other, and have joint development; 3 )Through social networking, various ethnic groupscan negotiate and discuss, increase their contact,and establish harmonious relations; 4) Throughsocial networking, the internet users of variousethnic groups can liberate their minds, open up toeach other, exchange needed products, help eachother, and receive co-prosperity.
Everything has two sides, and it is no exceptionfor this new communication platform-socialnetworking.Although the creation ofsocial networkinghas a positive role to play in promoting ethnicunity, it also has a negative impact on ethnic rela tions.We should not ignore the negative aspectswhile noting the positive aspects, and should activelystrive to reduce the negative influences, andin doing so ensure the healthy development of ethnicrelations.The negative influences of socialnetworking are reflected in the following aspects:1) All activities conducted in social networking byinternet users from various ethnic group are conductedin a situation of privacy, and, at present,there is no perfect way to ensure both privacy andcontrol.2) Extreme nationalists may notice theadvantages of social networking, including its popularity,wide contact, secretive and convenientnature, and, hence, they can hide within the socialnetwork to conduct nationalist propaganda ,spread extreme nationalism, stimulate ethnic hatredand opposition, create ethnic separatism anddestroy national unity.3) Personnel compositionin the social network is complex.Hostile forcesmight exist at home and abroad and for variouspurposes promote ethnic discrimination , spreadbackward and reactionary viewpoints on ethnicity ,or even incite ethnic hatred and opposition, or directlyuse social networking to provide specificguidelines for internet crime.
Hence, we provide the following suggestions,one should: 1) build corresponding managementinstitutions; 2 ) build professional participationteams; 3) announce positive information strategically;4) critique and disclose harmful information;5) crack down resolutely on internet crime;and 6) formulate specific laws and regulations.