Facebook: The good, the bad & the ugly
July 22, 2010 by Geneva ReidPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Tech News
It’s been said Facebook is the social media we love to hate. But maybe … just maybe … it’s time to put that to rest. Here’s why:
First, let’s look at some recent studies that have been done on Facebook. Psychology Today reports:
- Facebook, once considered a socially isolating experience, is now viewed as a positive way of connecting people and helping them stay in contact.
- Facebook helps college students with low self-esteem by giving them a vehicle to develop relationships with their peers.
- It serves as a source of info for college students, such as letting them know when speakers are coming to campus, when club meetings will be held, etc.
- There seems to be little difference between Facebook addicts and those who would become addicted to other activities or substances. In other words, addicts across the board appear to share the same characteristics.
Now check out the stats. According to The New York Times:
- In the last 15 months, Facebook has made the incredible jump from 200 million users to 500 million.
- Almost two-thirds of U.S. Internet users are Facebook users.
- 70% of those using Facebook live outside the U.S.
- Engineers are in Tokyo right now in hopes of giving Facebook a boost. (There are fewer than 1 million users in Japan.)
The message seems clear: Not only is Facebook here to stay – but its impact may be more positive than any of us originally suspected.
Are there negative aspects to it? Of course. But there are pros and cons to everything.
As Pamela Rutledge, Media Psychology Research Center director, says in Psychology Today: “The rapid introduction of technology is unsettling and has triggered a spectrum of reactions, from enthusiasm to distrust … Just like dime novels, comic books, short skirts, Elvis Presley and Rock and Roll. The rap on Socrates was he was corrupting youth, too.”
Let’s face it: Most of us dislike change. And if you’re of the generation(s) that didn’t grow up with technology, Facebook is way out of your comfort zone.
But it may be time to think about leaving that safe haven and start creating a Facebook profile.
Do you have a Facebook profile? Let us know in the comments section below.
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July 21st, 2010 at 12:05 pm
Facebook has worked well for me in reconnecting with old Army buddies and for announcing events such as BBQs and camping trips to friends and families. On the professional side I am connected with co-workers and peers within my occupation (IT Director).
Students at the college I work at connect with each other and with instructors. The college itself has a FB presence to announce events and to discuss important topics such as our implementation of designated smoking areas.
One topic not covered in this article that causes concern is the continued instances of malware/trojan viruses disguising themselves as FB application invitations. If you “accept” the wrong application it can give the Trojan permission to infiltrate and infect the computer the user is sitting at. Just like SPAM e-mails, do not accept it if you weren’t expecting it or aren’t sure about it.