Facebook has been one of the most popular net working sites this year. More and more people join the Facebook world each year.
There are over 400 million users as in 2010 and you can hardly imagine how many people have it now.
But is facebook what it all it appears to be? You have all the statuses, the games, pictures, messaging back and forth, multiple friends and the gossip. It can be good in ways, but I've found in most cases that people use it the wrong way.
Marriages tend to fall apart. The temptation of lying and cheating gets involved and creates a lot of tension/fighting between your spouse and/or children. Friendships and relationships start to disperse.
People feel a security of being behind a computer and thinking they can say anything personal.
It's mostly an escape from the real life; for people who do not want to work through the hard times and incarcerate themselves from their responsibilities. Boredom can play a big role if you have nothing else going on in your life or want to do anything else.
Facebookers (that's how I like to call them) draw so much attention to themselves because they want the feedback from other people and compliments to make themselves feel good about themselves. When they "blog" about their bad day, they expect you to "boo who" with them and comfort them.
News to them out there, facebook is not a panacea for all their problems.
For those who have an account know what I am talking about. The list goes on and on of how terribly people act and react.
It turns people to being delusional; thinking that if no one comments on their status or "likes" it than no one cares about them. It turns the sanity into insanity and turns the healthy into unhealthy.
So the beginning of my study does not really go anywhere. At first it is hard to stay away from Facebook a couple days.
You have the urge to reactivate it,but after a week you will not feel dependent.
Here are the list of Pros:
- Better grades have progressed:
I had a lot more time on my hands for studying and taking the time to do homework. With facebook, studies came last. I have interviewed multiple people and they replied that "facebook is a distraction from getting what needs to be done."
- Less Drama:
The less you know, the better it seems. You are not wrapped up into the "cyber fights" and witnessing cyberbullying as much as before. You are not worried of what someone is going to say about another person or you. Staying out of the situation brings you relief.
- Better exercise:
Without facebook I was able to prioritize my time and fit in "exercise time" a little each day. I have lost four pounds within 2-3 weeks from exercising. (I don't mean just because you delete your facebook, you are going to lose weight. I'm using it as an example of something to do).
- Getting outside more:
Considering that some facebookers sit it on the weekends "facebooking" their life away, have no interest of trying something new in the outside world. (This does not go to all facebookers, just the ones who take it to the extreme). The world has a lot of great things to provide and I have actually found myself doing more things outside the house such as, walking, going to the park and spending time with family.
- Spending time with family:
Now I know some families are not the greatest in the world, but there has to be some family member that you spend time with the most. Spending time with a father, sister, mother or brother, etc. can make the difference instead of blogging all day about something that you are not going to remember in a week.
- Actually hanging out with friends!
Many of your closest friends have their days of wanting to sit home and chatting on the computer. In today's generation, it has turned into a habit. I found myself realizing that many of the teens I hang out with do not use facebook as much as I thought which breaks the day of having something useful to do.
- Developing a hobby:
I found myself developing a new hobby such as reading, playing an instrument more and singing. I have been playing an instrument for a couple years, but I extended the amount of time I play to perfect myself and be a better musician as well with singing. It was a useful strategy for me which kept me satisfied.
These may seem facile (which they are), but there are more abundant differences in the results than you think. There are more positive reasons of deleting the facebook, but those are the main key points.
For as much as I am against facebook, I did have some exertions.
Cons:
- Not talking to family as much:
Many of my family members live far away (and also because I do not get to see them frequently). I struggled to keep in contact with them and was only able to talk to them a couple times a week since we all have different schedules.
- Not invited to "parties" as much:
Instead of sending invitations by mail or text messaging/calling, many teens and adults create a page on facebook, adding the people they want to their "get together" or "party" for the week. (It sounds very secretive and sneaky to me). Depending on how close you are with the friend, they may forget to invite you and you miss out on a lot.
- Contacting friends:
In my generation, many teens are so wrapped up on technology (computers especially) that they forget to answer their phones, when you plan on hanging out with them. (I am very guilty of this myself). So private messaging or "writing on their wall" comes into play and is better communication for them.
- Sharing pictures and knowing what's going on:
Now even though reading some statuses and knowing the wrong information is bad, there are some statuses and some pictures that you can share with friends rather than printing the photo or your friend accidentally deleting in their email. Many people can comment and they might have something positive and hilarious to say about it!
Facebook is a net working site that gives you a lot of freedom. Be aware that every idle word you say (technically typing) on there is monitored and not secured. Every status that gets deleted, every picture and comment is still owned by facebook. Facebook keeps all of your information and colleges are starting to look at your facebok to see if you are eligible for their college.
Colleges do look at it even if you use it the right way, but I'd embark myself to get my act together if I were one of those people who take internet safety the opposite way.
Surviving Facebook is not as hard as it seems. Besides, it's only a website and it'll soon turn into one of those other social networking sites that plummet down the drain.
Something popular will come up soon whether you believe it or not. I am glad to say that I survived a 45 Day Facebook Challenge. I want to hear your story.
