Well, for some people that is all that it is used for. But for others, it is much more. Some people save lots of money by using Facebook as their own personal therapist. Status updates become full on rants and confessions. Facebook takes on the job of listener, even though there is nothing more behind it's pages than lines of code.
So, is this a good thing? With human-webpage interaction taking the place of person-to-person communication, what will happen to our ability to confide in others and work through difficult social situations?
Already, our ability to handle difficult things has taken a nose dive. How many break ups take place via Facebook or texting? How many fights are fought only with keyboards from the comfort of one's own bedroom? How many people have posted romantic status updates on Facebook rather than told their crush how they really felt?
Admit it, you've done at least one of these things before.
This trend towards cyber communication is a scary development. The line is blurred so drastically between reality and virtual reality via online communities and websites that it is increasingly hard to keep them separate.
So, I challenge you. Make it a point to have a meaningful conversation with a friend that is NOT online. Take your significant other out to dinner and leave your phone in the car. Make a conscious effort to turn off the technology for a little while each day.
You will miss so much if you only see the world through a computer screen.
Excellent challenge, Kaitlyn. If my daughter's constant Facebooking/IMing/Tweeting is any indication, it could in fact be very difficult for some young people to have a meaningful exchange that is not computer-cell phone mediated. Still, I know she does talk face to face with her friends at school and when they hang out on the weekends. And, yes, it is slightly ironic that you made this point in an online community, but I'm glad you did...
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