Don't get me wrong, I think Facebook is great for staying in touch with friends all over the globe. This is especially the case for me, since I made friends when I went abroad to Ireland and last semester when I interned in Washington, DC. Not many people use their cell phones anymore, and if cell phones are used, it's more likely for a text than a call. I like getting calls still; they're more personal and easier to decipher than text messages.
Back to my main point, though.
Facebook has put a strain on many relationships in my life, and in addition, it can make me be hard on myself. I find myself comparing my life to others' posts on Facebook, via pictures, status updates, city/country check-ins, etc. It's no good to play the "what if" game; how would my life be different had I not gone to Wittenberg, for instance? I sometimes check in (a.k.a. creep) on many people, including ex-boyfriends. And that, frankly, is just not healthy.
So my question to my audience is this: Does Facebook make you play the "what if" game as well? Do you compare yourself to others via Facebook?
Not many people will post what's wrong with their lives on Facebook. In fact, I think the most active users on Facebook (you know, the ones that update their status every five minutes and comment on everything) are often the ones who need the most self-assurance that their life is above average. It's no good competing over whose life is better through bragging rights on Facebook. In fact, this gets quite annoying and makes me think of that user as a surface (or face) person. Hence, Facebook might be just perfect for that type of person.
Have you ever thought about deleting your Facebook? Where would you be without it? I urge you to try to go without Facebook for a week -- just see how you feel.
I met a friend a few weeks ago and we had a great conversation. Naturally, I wanted to find him on Facebook but couldn't find his profile. I asked him about it and he goes, "that's because I don't have one, Allie." After my initial shock, (I mean, after all, who doesn't have Facebook now-a-days? Even my mom has one -- unfortunately) I realized I admired this about him. Here's a good guy who is completely comfortable with himself and doesn't feel he needs to show his life off to others via Facebook. This gives me hope in that people are still realizing the value of in-person contact rather than just social media outlets.
Think about how your life has changed because of social media, for the better or worse. Like I said, there are hundreds of reasons why Facebook is a good thing. But, have you ever thought about going beyond the "face" of Facebook and really thinking about what it's doing to you?
on your point about phone calls I defianlty agree =)and you are right facebook has become a natural part of our lives - its hard to imagine life without it...
ReplyDeleteI was recently debating whether or not I wanted to delete my Facebook for a while and I think you might have convinced me to try it for a little bit. It really does make you play the what if game, and studies have been done stating that the more Facebook friends you have leads to a higher chance of anxiety and depression.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's so interesting, especially seeing how it's a competition in itself to see how many "friends" a Facebook user has
DeleteI don't know much about Facebook and all the stats and everything but it is a a great tool to keep in touch with distant friends. For people that use it to only compete with nearby friends, well they suck. It is a cultural phenomenon, and it would be interesting if it would just bottom out to see how our new social media driven culture would adapt.
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