First there was Xanga, then
MySpace, now there is
Facebook. It is one of many
ways to communicate with
friends, family, and whoever
else is utilizing the site.
Some students have noticed
Facebook taking up their time
for social gatherings and
homework.
Facebook seems to be the
first thing that students check
on as soon as their computer
loads. Even when students are
on the computer for important
reasons, Facebook usually
comes first.
“Yeah, it absolutely takes
away from important things,
school work, work, chores,”
said Stephanie Waddle, a psychology
major.
Justin Weischedel, another
psychology major, says that he
goes on Facebook too much.
“It definitely takes away
from homework every
night.and sleep,” explained
Weischedel who has had a
Facebook account for two
years.
For some people, Facebook
is not only a distraction, but a
source of social drama
throughout personal networks.
If someone posts a defamatory
statement on a “wall” it can
show up on hundreds of newsfeeds.
A newsfeed allows anyone
from friends, to strangers to
see the latest news on that person’s
page, without even visiting
it.
Ryan Grimmer, engineering
major, was working on his
computer and stated that he did
not have an account with
Facebook. When asked why
not he replied, “Drama. I don’t
like drama.”
Grimmer is one of the people
who resist the temptations of
Facebook.
Anthony Valiante, a police
administration major, also does
not have a Facebook.
“It’s invading privacy,”
Valiante said of the social network
site.
Valiante says that Facebook
is just another way to cut off
real communication.
“It makes it harder to talk
face to face,” said Valiante.
While many students have
seen the negative effects using
the Facebook site can have,
there are still a few that use the
site without feeling pessimistic.
Emily Heine, Liberal
Arts/Business major, only goes
on Facebook once a day.
“I’m so busy. I don’t have
time to use Facebook,” said
Heine.
Dan Bianco, liberal arts
major, was working on his
computer. He says Facebook
doesn’t take away from the
important tasks he needs to get
done.
“I use it if I have nothing better
to do,” said Bianco.
Some students have learned
to keep school work a priority.
Rita Haluze, a nursing major,
prefers to study.
Facebook was initially for
communication with friends,
family, and acquaintances. It
has now evolved into a way to
send videos, play video games,
and instant message with others.
A
s the Facebook site grows
in popularity, more and more
people are becoming addicted.
People can work, read the
newspaper and do their banking
online without ever leaving
their homes.
It will be interesting to see if
society ever gets to the point
where no one needs to leave
home or the computer screen
ever again