TaylormarieJThe fad has bestowed itself to this generation, but is the land of social networking and technology a feigned toxic matter?
The ringleaders who promote today’s common lifestyle are the so called smart phones. If I didn’t know better, I would mistake the device several friends clutch in their hands as a life support machine. On occasions when I have been out I almost feel obliged to ask what Siri has to add to our conversation because my mate seems more interested in spending quality time with their phone.
Facebook and more recently Twitter are major areas of people’s lives. I get the appeal but at the same time I don’t. They’re great for keeping in contact with friends and family, our relatives are not a mere stones throw away and Facebook allows for an ultimate indulgence into what going on in someone’s life. Yet I manage ok without, at staying in touch with individuals in my life.
As a fairly private person I have also decided that I don’t want 500 people, most of whom I barely speak to, to read the details of my day to day life or know my relationship status.th people who may be able to help you out. For example; an item for sale, a job change, or last minute idea – there’s probably someone situated in your friends list who can lend you a hand. Regardless of your age or interests, Facebook is an excellent networking tool.
However I am pretty sure I am in the minority as some make it the first thing they do in the day to check in on the site and scrolling the last thing they do before they go to sleep. As of the end of 2013, more than 500 million people were using Facebook and over 250 million of these had it at their fingertips on their mobile device. Whether of not you participate in it, social media is undeniably inescapable and a pretty potent force on society.
The good, the bad and the ugly:
Social media sites are a great tool for integrating more social interaction into our lives, which is key for human happiness. Facebook provides an alternative way to socialise, especially for those who are busy and might not have time to see people personally.
Facebook scores points for providing the opportunity to meet new people – you instantly have the ability to see what you have in common with someone (albeit on a potentially superficial level).
You can even create a huge social network without having to put in tons of time. This allows you to stay in touch wi
Undoubtedly, information about everything and anything is available online, but sometimes information you’re probably not even looking for, may present itself to you on Facebook. Friends and family could post links that really interest you and in addition you gain insight of those you surround yourself with, if you take a look at what’s being posted.
It appears that most people have a lot of friends on Facebook. Hundreds, thousands in some cases. But are all of these connections really necessary or remotely important? Is there much value in keeping up to date on some guy you met in a party and never saw again?
As well as keeping up with your friends lives, you also have the privilege of knowing what’s going on in everybody’s lives. This includes your exes and enemies.
Facebook takes your privacy and throws it out the window, (of a very high balcony). Yes there are settingsbut, no matter what, information about you is still out there and potentially spreading like wildfire.
Technology and social networking in my opinion, really take away from raw and authentic face-to-face interaction. It’s possible that Facebook, a concept built on maintaining and making relationships may prove to encourage the complete opposite.
As great as Facebook is for information, some people’s excessiveness can be a bit overwhelming, depending on how you choose to filter the information. Less is more when it comes to online information, and Facebook certainly isn’t providing less.
In all honesty, we each have our addictions and guilty pleasures. For some, it’s chocolate or cigarettes or crack. For others, it’s the internet. Taking this further, I wouldn’t be surprised if there are self-help groups for Facebookers. I know a few people I wouldn’t hesitate in prompting to join. Just after they’ve updated themselves on what’s going on in the world and have told everyone what’s going on in their world, they find themselves absentmindedly back on the app. It might sound ludicrous, but social media sites defiantly have the potential to be dangerously addictive.
I find myself wasting time and knowing too much about people I don’t need to know, when trawling through Facebook. When it comes down to it, the website doesn’t actually add much at all too my life. But that’s just me. For some people, I know it’s the best thing since sliced bread, something they can’t imagine life without.
What do you think about Facebook? Do you think social networking has a positive impact on society?