Possible Argumentative Essay Source

I am thinking about writing on my final Argumentatative Essay on how Facebook weakens or strengthens friendships, I have not decided which one I truly believe yet, but either way this article would be a great source.  It is entitled Point: Social Networking Websites Provide a Healthy Way to Improve Friendships.  The author of this article begins by talking about the first forms of social networking sites that came before Facebook.  She then goes on to talk about how much Facebook has grown over the past three years; after it had opened to all, the majority of its users were in their teens and only eight percent of its users were over the age of thirty.  Three years later, thirty percent of all aldult over the age of thirty have Facebook accounts.  She talks about how Facebook is a great tool for kids to have because it helps them open up socially; they are not afraid to hide themselves like they may at school or at home.  Facebook allows people to create friendships with others who have the same interests.  She states that one of the problems are identity theft and sexual predators, but a lot of people are meeting their Facebook friends in person before they add each other which greatly lowers the risk or identity theft & sexual predators.  The author also states that it is a great way to keep in touch with friends and family who have moved far away; it plays a significant role in helping people maintain long-distance relationships.
One aspect thart I found interesting was the fact that social networking is affecting media, advertising agencies, corporation, politicians, and education.  I already knew this, but it's still hard to wrap my head around the fact that the enitre world basically relies on social networking sites.  If you watch ciommercials almost every one has a line at the bottom of the screen saying follow us on Facebook and twitter, even Obama has his own social networking site.
This article is controversial because although it is stating that Facebook is a great tool to maintain and improve friendships, a lot of people will tell you that Facebook ruins friendships and our world's sense of community; it separates us from one another because we don't communicate face to face as often.

http://web.ebscohost.com/pov/detail?hid=10&sid=d9dcd435-e7bf-4058-8bff-77e643c99b3c%40sessionmgr14&vid=4&bdata=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxpdmU%3d#db=pwh&AN=28675321