The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Social Networking

Social media/networking sites, like everything else, is good in moderation. I frequent Facebook to see what my friends are up to this weekend, or post a status update about a concert I’m going to or some other fun activities planned. It is great getting reconnected and staying in touch with old friends from high school, elementary school, or people I met while backpacking. It is so much easier than calling someone overseas or even across town; it’s at your fingertips when it’s convenient for you. It is sometimes easier to shoot a message on a networking site to keep in touch while on the go rather than playing phone tag. A definite pro to me is that it is quick information at the time you need it.

With this convenience comes something else, lack of true connection. For instance, I see that many of my friends are getting married and having kids and its nice to have a little window into their lives and see how they are doing without having to go to a high school reunion or travel back to California. The drawback to this availability and convenience is the disconnect, it’s like reading the tabloids of your old friends. Seeing who they are dating, what they are wearing and where they are living all without having a conversation. I mean it’s interesting and sometimes you can even get a laugh out of it, but it’s weird to step back and realize you really have no ties to them other then a Facebook friend request.

Then there is the ugly side to social networking; bad photos, drama and gossip. Sometimes, you aren’t aware of who is taking your photo at an inopportune moment or maybe in the back of a friend’s photo you see your friend’s boyfriend kissing someone who isn’t your friend. Oh the scandals that ensue. It is information overload, or legal stalking (haha). There are videos on YouTube making parodies about couples breaking up due to what was on their “wall”. It is funny to look at when you are on the outside, but I’d assume it wouldn’t be fun to be in the middle of a high tech brawl. Of course this should go away as we mature and learn to not post everything about everything on our sites and just use it as a medium for keeping in touch. Not a platform for drama, gossip, or self indulgence.

My rules to social networking are simple; take it for face value, don’t overindulge and keep it light because it’s not that serious. Lastly I would advise that everyone take a tech break once in a while, power OFF on all devices. Try it, it's freeing.