Facebook abuse has negative side effects
Jake Desalvo
Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Opinion
I find it depressing that I'm able to go an entire day, days if I truly wanted to, without having an actual conversation with people. And I'm not talking about sitting alone in my room, locked away from the public, but I could keep up with everybody I know for an extended period of time without even needing to see them. Social networking Web sites and text messaging make things more convenient, but they are detrimental to society.
I'm ashamed to say that I'm on Facebook several times a day. I hate the site, honestly. I don't even really do anything. I just get bored and end up there. There are some 16,000-plus students on this campus, and the vast majority have a Facebook account. How many times a day do we end up logging on, updating and otherwise perusing our classmate's and friend's Facebook updates?
I don't need to make a phone call to see what my friends back home are doing, I just need to look at their Facebook, Twitter or MySpace pages. I go weeks without talking to my best friends and apparently don't miss anything at all.
The vast majority of people who are friends with me via Facebook are people I haven't spoken to in forever, like high school classmates and acquaintances from parties I will never see again. Take away the people I don't care about and I'm left with maybe two dozen or so friends that I see regularly and don't need to see their Facebook profile to stay updated.
What does this amount to? A lot of wasted time on a social networking Web site. Facebook is meant to be used to make friends and stay updated, and I use it to do neither. Has anyone ever actually made a friend from Facebook? Imagine if somebody were to friend you, start sending you messages, and then just ask to start hanging out. I don't know about you, but I'd be a bit creeped out.
The need to network may become a hindrance to your job performance as well. Think that picture of you with a beer in one hand and a joint in the other is pretty cool? Well, the guy who just conducted your interview didn't think it displayed an attitude appropriate for the job. Many people don't expect their potential employers to do personal research on them and get caught with their pants down (sometimes literally) through a Facebook page.
I'm ashamed to say that I'm on Facebook several times a day. I hate the site, honestly. I don't even really do anything. I just get bored and end up there. There are some 16,000-plus students on this campus, and the vast majority have a Facebook account. How many times a day do we end up logging on, updating and otherwise perusing our classmate's and friend's Facebook updates?
I don't need to make a phone call to see what my friends back home are doing, I just need to look at their Facebook, Twitter or MySpace pages. I go weeks without talking to my best friends and apparently don't miss anything at all.
The vast majority of people who are friends with me via Facebook are people I haven't spoken to in forever, like high school classmates and acquaintances from parties I will never see again. Take away the people I don't care about and I'm left with maybe two dozen or so friends that I see regularly and don't need to see their Facebook profile to stay updated.
What does this amount to? A lot of wasted time on a social networking Web site. Facebook is meant to be used to make friends and stay updated, and I use it to do neither. Has anyone ever actually made a friend from Facebook? Imagine if somebody were to friend you, start sending you messages, and then just ask to start hanging out. I don't know about you, but I'd be a bit creeped out.
The need to network may become a hindrance to your job performance as well. Think that picture of you with a beer in one hand and a joint in the other is pretty cool? Well, the guy who just conducted your interview didn't think it displayed an attitude appropriate for the job. Many people don't expect their potential employers to do personal research on them and get caught with their pants down (sometimes literally) through a Facebook page.
Viewing Comments 1 - 5 of 5
Craig
posted 4/15/09 @ 3:30 AM CST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYpMLmwR56s
This video on facebook staling was pretty cool
faRce Book
posted 4/30/09 @ 8:24 AM CST
Facebook underhandedly deceives the users!
Facebook pretends to be democratic, but, in fact, it's the opposite.
Users are being spied upon and will, ultimately, be targeted with the same junk advertising that blights all other aspects of the internet. (Continued…)
RaTheMC
posted 12/02/09 @ 12:26 PM CST
that's why I changed my last name to "Jello" on Myspace. ;] Muahahaha.
mandee
posted 3/03/10 @ 6:42 PM CST
i love facebook
i dont go much on it though
i have alot of h.w
however it is a great invention
it never affects your social life
that's stupid
Bill Loney
posted 3/03/10 @ 10:31 PM CST
Quit crying about Facebook. It's great for social networking and if you're a musician, it helps land gigs. You as a journalist ought to know that. If you really dislike Facebook, then dismantle your account. (Continued…)
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