Facebook – loved by many, hated by few, respected by many more. Yet, despite the warm optimistic glow induced by the millions of Facebook users worldwide, criticisms have been levelled at the social networking site.
The criticisms are concerned with online bullying, Facebook stalking, security breaches, as well as a myriad array of other significant issues that parents and especially kids should be aware of. Even President Barack Obama has sounded warnings to American kids.
Has Facebook Diminished the Quality of Written English Amongst Kids?
In the past when something had to be said to somebody online, it was usually done so via proper written English.
Those days are almost as ancient as the language of William Shakespeare itself. That was funny has been replaced by "LOL," and difficult to read abbreviations are more common than President Obama reading off a teleprompter.
So instead of the average Facebook user saying and writing for example, "today it is cool, thanks mate," it is sexier and more fashionable to write, "2day it is kl, thnx m8."
No wonder employers are beginning to complain at the level of written English amongst young adults today.
Facebook and Relationship Rifts
Recently Facebook has been found to be a key factor in one in five divorces. Despite the fact that relationship status’ can be left hidden on a Facebook profile, married men still ‘seek women’, whilst women in a relationship jauntily ‘seek men’.
On the other hand, vanity is endemic in the little world of Facebook as scores of people (especially girls) pose sycophantically in front of bedroom webcams like failed Photoshop supermodels.
The problem is it does not make one look super, nor look like a model in every sense of the word.
Is Facebook Obsession a Problem?
Has Facebook become too much of a personal obsession? This is a subjective question requiring a subjective individual answer.
When on holiday on the other side of the world, in a restaurant or worse at a board meeting, if the impulse is so strong that a quick scouring of Facebook is irresistible, the chances are the world of social networking has become an obsession – a problematic one at that.
Does Facebook Create Fake Friends?
Not so long ago, friends and the like used to meet more-or-less in person. It was presumed to be the norm.
Nowadays "friendship" exists only online via Facebook with friends communicating more on Facebook than in person or via the phone as the number of superficial friends has risen exponentially.
In addition, flag-waving contests have become fiercer in that more friends equals more prestige. Yes, a person may have 900 plus friends, but:
- How many of those does he actually know personally?
- How many of those will be invited to his wedding?
- Also, how many of those will even come to his funeral? Exactly – the idea of "cyber-friends" is pure delusional.
Facebook Stalking
Just as it is easy to look at other people’s profile walls and information, so it is easy for others to do the same likewise.
In light of the much publicized security problems dogging the social networking site, it is safe to assume that "private settings" are in fact not so "private" after all.
Government agencies have secret access to accounts, furthermore, once a profile has been deleted it still remains in the system, and most worryingly, employers are now using Facebook to check up on potential employees.
Is Facebook a Waste of Creative Talent?
The 3 hours spent on Facebook can be spent reading a book, learning a theory, or better still pursuing a hobby – creatively, as well as seriously.
Truly creative people do not waste opportunities to create and Mark Zuckerberg axiomatically epitomizes this fact.
Could the average Facebook user have even conceived of the idea of creating such a site 5 years ago? Perhaps not as creators create trends, whilst sheep can only follow them.
Facebook as a Psychological Construct
Facebook is a panacea for many. However, the psychological argument is that the average man and woman has become so straightened in life that he or she uses Facebook as a Truman Show-like advertisement of their existence.
It is clear – broadcasting break-ups, nonchalantly sharing all the worst bits of yesterdays 'wild-night out,' or shamelessly disclosing every single mundane aspect of the individual’s life.
If showcase is wanted, do something creative, inspiring and worthwhile for the world rather than puking in a gutter for the cameras, or posting 2 million pictures online in a fake Sari or a rented Lamborghini!
Facebook has its positive aspects, but issues concerning security, cyber-bullying, Facebook-obsession as well as Facebook stalking has seen the social networking site garner some strong criticisms of late. It is something which all Facebook users and worried parents ought to acknowledge and examine.
Readers may also like to see some of the benefits of Facebook by viewing the following story: Mum From California Finds her 2 Missing Children on Facebook.
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