Facebook, I heard on a local news program today, is one of the most, if not THE most, popular program(s) today. Facebook evidently received more hits than Google in 2010, and from what I gathered on the KVOA local Tucson, AZ news program this morning, this accomplishment is something to be heralded.
I am someone who has avoided Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and other social networks for as many years as they have been around...until a few months ago. At that time, I was reeling from a failed marriage and was sinking into a deep depression. I was isolating myself from the world and was certainly not interested in interacting with others.
One day, while visiting my parents' home in Queen Creek, AZ, my brother quietly, and cleverly, suggested that I look at his computer. He happened to be looking at some profiles of some mutual friends from way back in the day (1970's and 1980's). I had been telling him that I was not at all interested in joining Facebook or anything like it. The truth is I was not feeling good about myself. I do not look like I did in those days, and while I have had some significant successes in my life, I have experienced many failures, also. I didn't want anyone to see me, and I certainly did not anyone to know about any of my problems.
My brother told me that he understood (good move to get me to let my guard down). I checked out what he was looking at. I got interested. I decided to join. I figured that things couldn't get much worse in my life. Although I am extremely sensitive to others' opinions of me, I figured that at some time in my life, I needed to learn to accept myself for myself (for all you lay psychology folks, you know exactly what I mean).
The experience for me has been nothing less than therapeutic. I have reconnected with many friends. Although a couple of individuals have made nasty little comments about the changes in my appearance (these people of course claim to be joking), most folks seem to accept me just the way I am. And (for all of you English majors, I know that sentences are not supposed to begin with conjunctions) almost everyone (much to my surprise) looks different themselves. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting caught up with some old friends, and I have met some new ones. My experience has been good.
On the other hand, I hear on the news about Pastors who encourage their congregations to close their Facebook accounts. I know of families that have experienced marital stress due to old flames being rekindled. I'm sure that there are other problems that people experience as a result of joining these networks.
What is your experience? Is Facebook, in particular, harmful or helpful for you? How about for people you know? You have read about my experience. I am truly interested in yours!
I joined Facebook so that I could keep tabs on my teen girls. I worry about how they are growing up in a tech world, and I want them to think about what they share on the internet because it can affect them later in life. So far, I am so glad that I am keeping track. I get to have talks with them on the seriousness of having their life exposed and the dangers of strangers. I think they respect what I have to say more because I am on Facebook and Twitter. I can speak their language.
ReplyDeleteBeing a teacher, it is hard to know what to post and what not to post. I always want to make sure that what I do post is acceptable to everyone because I have some parents of my students looking at my life. I have had to hide certain people because of strong political views or inappropriate language.
I do love getting connected with my high school and college friends. It is also a little scary because we have all 'aged' a bit. Insecurities from our old days start creeping in. It's like when you get together with your family, you tend to take on the role you had when you were younger, but I do enjoy seeing what everyone is up to. You know how every once in awhile you think "I wonder what happened to _____?" Now we can find out!
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ReplyDeleteI love your comments. I have a dauughter in college, and I don't ever want her to feel like I am "spying" on her. I sometimes just check out her profile because she is SO active that I like to see what things she is doing in her life. I think it's great that you can talk to your girls about their posts and can advise them of the potential problems with certain people and information. Your point about showing too much information about yourself and about extreme points of views by friends is also very interesting. Finally, I totally understand your point about aging, yet finding yourself falling into past roles. That particular issue is something that I will expolore much more: the point about roles seems fascintating to me.