I recall with interest a few significant observations i read from the newspapers which deliberated on the social implications of using Facebook(FB). The author in the commentary remarked that many parents in Britain are now more acutely aware of what their kids are up to because they have become "friends" with their children. Youngsters/youths being what they are, have a huge ego and an innate desire to want to portray to their peers that they have a happening lifestyle on FB. As a result of this, their parents are now able to look through their children's pictures and scroll through the profile of their children's friends on FB. Of course, if the kid is smart, you will know better than to add your parents on your FB. DUH!
A second trend that falls out from FB is lies-management. You wonder if your friends on FB are inflating their lives on FB to make it look more happening that it really is. I mean this is a mutual escalation of expectations yeah? If this friend posts happening shots of his/her birthday in a cafe, another friend would also want to up the stakes and post more happening shots say in a pub. Another bitchy friend who does not want to lose the limelight, may take it higher and say host her birthday at a nightclub etc and post ultra-happening pictures.
Lastly, if you are not aware of this, LISTEN UP! There are reported cases where promising young graduates in U.S who were offered positions by companies found their job offers terminated after employers surfed their FB profiles. A very sad case indeed. But nonetheless, i still add my bosses on my FB acct. Oh well!
Just some thoughts to share with you on FB.. What you put in your FB acct is at your own risks. If you read the user's exemption clause upon signing up for FB, all significant threats (e.g. Identity thefts), mishaps (losing your job after your prospective boss examines your FB acct) and accidents (sexual grooming) that occur to you as a result of using FB is entirely at your own risk.
So be a little Sharper and cynical when you are on FB. Stop being so innocent. Modify your profile a little, or deliberately type a few wrong digits in your postal code or birthdays (lol). Take a 75% discount of whatever your friend posts/says on FB. YOu may rebute that hey!!! pictures are posted. Duh! BUT how sure are you that the pictures are updated? They could be pictures from past occasions. You will never know..
1 comment:
Andrew, I find that people take on a totally different identity on Facebook or other social networks. I think that this kinda social networks has more cons than pros. The only pro is keeping in touch with your friends. Having said that, shouldn't true friends be contacting one another off Facebook? I believe a phone call or catch-up over coffee beats watching the wayang show your friend puts up on Facebook. I totally agree with what you said about displaying a happening life to others. Not only teenagers or youngsters do that. Adults do too. Look around your friends' profile and you will notice.
Post a Comment