Facebook

English 100
November 2, 2011
Facebook the Most Popular Social Network

Many people assume that social networks have changed our ways of communication for the better; some others affirm that they have also brought us confusion and new tools that can easily affect us. I personally believe that to use these kinds of social networks, we need to be trained, and most importantly, use themresponsibly. A few weeks ago, one of my friends had a serious problem with her mate due to irresponsible use of Facebook. My friend Gaby was receiving messages from her significant other’s best friend. Hoping to find good advice, she posted a message on her Facebook: “I am really stressed. My partner’s best friend is inviting me out. Also he is proposing that I be unfaithful to my boyfriend. I do notknow what to do. Should I talk to my boyfriend about it, or should I keep it a secret? I know what I am going to do; I will keep it as a secret.” She did not realize her significant other was on her friend-list in this social network. To worsen the situation, her profile was not private. This brought a big conflict with her beloved and made him fight his supposed best friend. In the article, “A Dad’sEncounter With the Vortex of Facebook,” the author, Michael Duffy has concerns about Facebook. Duffy claims that even though Facebook is a social –networking tool it also has its darker passages too. Facebook gives teens the illusion that they have privacy. Also, Facebook is a big tool where stalkers and bullies operate. Ultimately, he says the social networking site is a waste of time. Istrongly agree with Duffy’s statements. However, I truly believe that if Facebook is used with responsibility, it also has a couple of advantages, like finding friends and having instant communication with our family members who live in different countries.
In this article, Duffy states that Facebook gives people, especially teens, the illusion of privacy. For instance, he says that, when students inhis area posted pictures of themselves drinking beer and leaving messages that were hurtful they did not expect that unknown people could see them. What is more, they do not realize that big companies’ employers can have access to their profiles. Before these employers give teens a job offer, they have already checked to see if they are good candidates for the job. Duffy also says that everyonewho posts information should have realized this becomes public information. In my personal experience, I too have concerns that Facebook really gives this illusion of privacy. Las week, while I was checking my friends’ comments, I came across a profile that is using exactly the same information I am using; the only difference between my profile and this “fake me” is that he does not have a photo. Iwas in shock when I saw this person’s information. I wonder how this person got my information when I have mine as private? We need to remember that however private this site may seem, others can view our information.
Duffy also states that Facebook is the perfect social networking tool for cyber-bullies and stalkers. According to Duffy, a few cases of friendship have turned violent or evenhomicidal on this social network. On social networks like Facebook, many teens oppress younger friends and use fear in order to dominate and have control of the group. I concur with Duffy’s opinion. I know about a case in which a teen committed suicide. He swapped some nude pictures of himself with a new friend that he met on Facebook. When he wanted to stop swapping photos, his new friend got upsetand start bullying him. His friend pressured him for more pictures, and threatened to expose him to his parents for being gay. The pressure was so intense that the teen decided to take his life to end the bullying. We need to remember that however smart our kids are, they can be the next victim of these stalkers and bullies.
According to the article, Facebook reports its members spend an...