Facebook

Facebook. Almost everyone has one. They use it to communicate with friends, learn what people are up too, to brag about their lives or (my favorite and most common reason I use it) to procrastinate. Because of that, it is also probably one of the most visited sites by young adults and teens today.

I am not going to lie.... I have Facebook opened right now as I am supposed to reading for one of my classes. Every time I log onto my computer to work on an essay or class assignment, I have one tab dedicated to Facebook. It serves as my distractor, my five minute break between blocks of writing and release from the hard work. I tried to write an essay with the internet turned off once and I couldn’t do it. Instead of taking a few breaks to update my Facebook, I would just stare at the screen. Without the distraction, I couldn’t get much done. In a way, Facebook helps me to get my papers done.

Facebook is also good for reconnecting with people. I enjoy spending countless hours catching up on what my friends are up too and chatting with a person I do not get to see often. Facebook is good for communicating with people that live far away. When I was studying in Florence, I used Facebook to keep in touch with my family and friends back home. Phone calls would have been too expensive and E-mails seem outdated. With Facebook, my friends and family could see my pictures and with that they got a better understanding of what I am doing during my time abroad. I also got to quickly read what everyone is up to via status updates. I didn’t have time to email everyone and catch up. However, I did have time to read a couple sentences about what everyone was doing.

Facebook is not always a good thing. There are those people out there who find it necessary to post everything they do. No one cares what you had breakfast, no one cares that you are too lazy to get up and go use the restroom (yes, I have actually had a friend post that as her status) and no one needs to know what you do every minute of the day. One status update per day is more than enough. I do not care to read a play by play of your day. I am seriously considering deleting people who post a new status every few minutes. Limit your posts and people (or maybe just me) would not be annoyed by your Facebook usage.

Facebook also makes it easier from stalkers to stalk you. With pictures and info posted on the web, almost anyone can found out anything about you. This may also make it easier for teens or children to become victims of cyber bullying. Cyber bullying is a major issue today and may make children feel alone. Some schools are taking a stand and teaching kids about the consequences of their actions and to respect other people.

If one takes precautions and is well formed about the potential dangers….Facebook can be amazing thing. I love Facebook and would probably we lost without it.