Modern forms of social networking can be both a challenge and an advantage for people of all ages, especially teenagers. This essay will discuss the positive and negative aspects of modern forms of social networking in the lives of today's teenagers, compared to the social networking methods used in past generations. First, this essay will argue that modern social networking methods can provide many benefits to today's teenagers that were not available to past generations. Secondly, this essay will argue that modern social networking methods can lead to increased stress levels and can negatively impact the lives of teenagers in ways that social networking methods available to past generations have not had. Third, this essay will argue that modern social networking methods can allow predators to enter teenagers' homes without parents' knowledge, which was much more difficult with the limited forms of communication available to past generations. The increase in social networking methods can be of great benefit to today's teenagers. The Internet brings the world closer to teenagers, who can chat with people anywhere in the world, can find information on any topic of interest to them. Today, teens who are having problems can discuss them online in a less intimidating environment. They can also discuss their problems anonymously with people who may be able to help them, or even with people who may be experiencing the same problems (Subrahmanyam & Greenfield 2008). In the past, teenagers probably would have had to go to the library in hopes of finding the information they needed or wanted. Communications with people in other parts of the world would have required writing letters or traveling abroad. Getting help… half of the paper… online predatory behavior,” Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 99-114, SocINDEX, EBSCOhost, accessed December 10, 2011.Subrahmanyam, K & Greenfield, P 2008, 'Online Communication and Adolescent Relations', Vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 119-146, Academic Search Complete, viewed 10 December 2011. Internet safety goes wild? Sacrificing the educational and psychosocial benefits of online social environments', Journal of Adolescent Research, vol. 6, pp. 575-584, Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost, accessed 10 December 2011. Walsh, S, White, K & Young, R 2010, 'Need to connect: the effect of self and others on young people's involvement with their mobile phones', Australian Journal of Psychology, vol. 194-203, Psychological and Behavioral Sciences Collection, EBSCOhost, accessed December 10 2011.