Can FaceBook Destroy Relationships? Why I am pulling the plug on FaceBook.
Posted: Monday, May 24, 2010
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
( For those of you who enjoy FaceBook and it has a positive affect on your life, I apologize to you as a preface for what I am about to write. This is only my personal perspective and journey.)
I recently had an experience whereas I found out information that should have been told to me, personally but instead I saw it on FaceBook. Finding out via FaceBook was both heartbreaking and also left me feeling like less than a virtual friend.
Maybe I am the odd one, but I don't necessarily want someone whom I haven't seen in years to "pop up" as a FaceBook friend and not even post "hi." Of course I didn't post a hello either..what do you say to a total stranger?
My life is full with real, authentic friends - those who can speak to me face to face or even telephone me. (now there's an idea).
I’m pulling the plug on FaceBook. In doing so, I will probably be rejecting some of my friends and maybe they won’t understand my reasoning.
There are heartbroken people out there who have been shown the “other side of FaceBook.
Generally speaking, FaceBook has taken the place of E-Mails. It is easier for one to let everyone you know at the same time about your status.
Cloaked in the anonymity of a computer screen, some people do and say things they'd never do in person or in " real life.' The consequences sting and are in cyberspace indefinitely.
Having said all the personal negative things about FaceBook, allow me to say that perhaps I was born at the wrong time. I really think I belong in the “Little House On the Prairie Generation.” Technology had not arrived back in that day, except for the telephone and everyone didn’t even have that luxury. People would travel for miles in order to have a heart-to-heart talk and linger over coffee and desert.
During my research I discovered that people have actually announced break-ups and divorces on FaceBook. One law firm, which specializes in divorce, claimed almost one in five petitions they processed cited Facebook as the culprit.
After giving this much thought, I believe I am too much of a private person to be on FaceBook. (MacMillanDictionary.com describes “In Private” as in a place or situation where other people cannot watch or listen.)
In defense of FaceBook, it can only be as strong and good as it’s users.
This Article has been viewed 92 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (5 total)Hi Fran,I hear you. As a matter of fact, I haven't been active on many sites at all lately. Do you want to go back to "Little House on the Prairie with me? If I figure out how, I'll let you know.Love, hugs and blessings,MichelleMichelle, now there is an idea! I would certainly get on my horse and buggy and come to your house for that heart-to-heart talk! Hugs right back.
Great Article Fran....I Pulled The Plug On Facebook Myself Recently Because I Too Am A Bit Too Private To Have Any Interests In Sharing So Much With People Over The Internet Which Takes Away The Intimacy Factor When Communications Are Made So Pubic On Facebook. I Utilized Facebook For Business Purposes Only But It Did Not Stop People From Posting Negative Comments About Others Which I Was Able To Read On My Page. I'm Not A Fan of Social Sites and Will Just Stick To The Way I Did Things Before All This "Stuff" Existed. If My Friend, Daughter or Whomever Don't Have The Heart To Share Important Information With Me In A Private Setting For Whatever Their Reasons May Be, Then They Must Feel I'm Not of Very Much Importance To Them. I Too Had A Situation With My Daughter Where She Was Upset and Wanted To Talk Via Facebook..I Mean Really? So I Understand Where You're Coming From. Don't Allow It To Get To You Too Much. Our Children Will Always Need Us Before We Need Them and Life Has A Wonderful Way of Educating Them and Allowing Them To See The Error of Their Ways. Be Blessed!Monica Burns-Capers, Ph.DI am very relieved to know I am not the only one who can do without Facebook. Each to his own. I really appreciate your commenting on how you feel about this subject. I really think you are more qualified to write about this. Thanks again...
anonymous is me..Fran Larson
I think I shall be right behind you Fran. I hardly ever get on face book and lately I have some friends who are recommending friends left and right. It drives me crazy and thank God I didn't put much info out there to begin with. I say Rah,Rah, Rah for you. God bless.Hi Linda, Maybe we should form an anti-Facebook fan club. Seriously, I am sure there are a lot of people who get much pleasure from FB but it seems to go against my grain.....thanks for reading my article. Best to you.
Hi Fran, I am not a "private" person (I am discrete and disgressionary and I still can't spell....) BUT I agree with you about FB - the only reason I am back on was to contact a friend I hadn't heard from in 25 years and FB was the only way I could do it (she sent me a notice and my acct were being cancelled around the same time so I had to re-up to get that note) I think it is totally impersonal.I love e-mail and am online all day every day running in and out of the computer room. But FB is so like not even talking to someone. Yes, we found a lot of people and they found us - some actually wrote - most who did wrote once and that's it. Same with Classmates although I signed up for that not too long ago - most of my high school friends I still talk to on e-mail or see and do not need the connection through Classmates... GO girl! I think FB can get really "gossipy" too - not very pretty. Marijo
Bravo! Wonderful article. A young man who grew up with my son contacted me a while back and asked me to be his FaceBook friend, as did one of my closest friends. My answer was sorry, but no.No FaceBook or My Space for me. Like you, I'm too private for those sites. Although, I am on Twitter where I have control.Love your "Little House on the Prairie" comment.All the best - MaxiHmmm...maybe I should try the twitter thing. Actually I am signed up for twitter but don't use it. Someone is always "spaming" me on twitter with inappropriate words!
Anyway, thanks for letting me know I am not the only one who doesn't like F B.
anonymous is me, Fran Larson....don't know why it came up that way....I am logged in.
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