Facebook needs no formal introduction to any college student, media head or even soccer mom. It has become the Web site that has officially topped Google’s number of hits per day. Needless to say, for many, Facebook is a part of life.
But whether or not the popular social media site has gone too far in overexposing people is the question that has many people talking.
“Facebook isn’t professional at all, even with all the privacy settings,” Allie Potter, junior education major, said. “That being said I don’t think Facebook is the culprit for overexposing people, I think the fault lies with them. You control much of what you share, and some people share way too much.”
Potter says the worst part about Facebook is everyone following your social status, including relationships with significant others.
“It has to be mortifying to have people see your personal business, especially after a breakup,” Potter said.
On the contrary, some consider the site to be a great way to promote businesses and events.
“The good thing about Facebook is it’s free advertisement,” Becca Rothemich, sophomore elementary education major, said. “Everyone has one so when you send out invitations to events people are going to hear about it.”
New apps Facebook has include ‘friends exposed,’ which allows you to randomly answer questions about Facebook friends. The idea of the application is to interact with friends so you’re active on your account.
Fan pages have also become a popular do-dad on Facebook in which people can invent a fan page of something they’re fond of. The idea is to get other people to become a fan of the same page. The more fans, the more popular the page is according to your news feed.
“Facebook has been a great way to get in touch with old friends,” Maureen McClain, Facebook user, said. “But, after becoming friends with some of my kid’s friends it seems other people use it for silly reasons.”
McClain says she has seen her kid’s friends inform the Facebook world of their daily routines from what they’re eating for dinner to when they are showering.
“I mean talk about too much information,” McClain said. “ I like Facebook because it’s more of an instant e-mail to my friends and I can see pictures, but some things are better left unsaid.”
Some students seem to not see any wrong.
“Everyone is on Facebook,” Bryan Janowski, junior marketing major, said. “I’ve never heard of any negative experiences.”
Whatever the opinion of adults, teens or even pre-teens, Facebook is continuing to capture the attention of people.
“I log onto my computer and before I do anything, I check Facebook,” Rothemich said.
Many consider the trend addicting.
“You know it’s just like any other thing like video games, Myspace, Youtube. Something bigger and better will wind up becoming invented and Facebook will be old news one day. But that doesn’t mean I’m ready to wean myself off of the addiction,” Janowski said.
