Social networking sites have become one of the hottest trends on the Internet, and there is no question that the ease of networking online appeals to all kinds of people in all kinds of demographics, as does, let's face it, the anonymity available in some types of networking sites. There are several emerging issues and trends surrounding the process of networking born from the need to find an effective way to develop the most positive model of networking ? that most ancient of human activities which now must be recreated to fit the most modern forms of communication.

There's no doubt that social networking will continue to successfully grow. However, just because there is an amazing amount of growth in this type of networking, call it ?cyber? networking, that does not mean that all the rules have changed. There is still a great need in any relationship for ?human? networking as well. If you don't believe this, just think of in terms of the traditional business referral.

Business referrals are all about relationships and it doesn't exactly matter if those relationships were formed online, or face to face, they're still relationships. People refer people they know and trust.

Cyber networking works ? using the internet to exchange ideas, share knowledge and increase your visibility will be imperative in the coming years. Cyber networking is a trend that's really catching on in many circles.

Some people involved in human networking feel threatened, as if online networking is going to replace human networking, and this is simply not only unlikely, but nearly impossible. In fact, here is no real competition between cyber networking and human networking, because in our increasingly complex modern world, it is a good possibility that growth in one can actually promote growth in another.

The more cyber-networking oriented that the world becomes will actually increase the overall need for more human networking as well. As business go high-tech, business owners will come to see how much they really need to value the human networking needs of their employees, and foster the opportunities for face-to-face human networking that has always been critical to success.

Cyber networking can be an effective way to communicate, to make new friends, to find like-minded individuals and seek interesting conversations and opinions. The internet is a great tool for staying in touch with those on your social network. But it can never actually replace human networking, and in fact the best impact it can have is to make our human relationships that much more fulfilling.