I don't know about you, the reader, but I believe that Facebook is just an online platform where people show off what they did last weekend that you didn't. Not only that, you feel bad about the things you didn't do or can't do on the weekend and spend even more time looking at their manifestations of their regrets among the other frivolous pages, memes, and inspirational-yet-not-that-inspirational-in-the-real-world content that Facebookers like, comment, and share. In my opinion, Facebook is pretty much a complete waste of time.
These are the things I see on Facebook:
1. [Friend 1] who constantly posts "I'm over you" memes and "Treat your girl right" memes as if a bot was uploading them on average about every 10 minutes.
2. [Friend 2] who writes sublime posts about how much she likes her boyfriend yet doesn't address her boyfriend.
3. A lot of friends' Candy Crush scores.
4. (Essentially...) A BBW's long wishlist of fashion products she probably wants to buy yet never says if she actually owns them or not.
5. Girls duck facing even though they'll never have lips as plumb as Jessica Rabbit's natural ones.
.... and the list goes on and on.
I mean, Facebook markets itself as a platform where users, "...connect and share with the people in your life." (Yes, I tore that straight from the FB homepage.) However, the real question I'd like to ask here is, "Just how meaningful are these 'connections' and 'sharing'?" Based on the abridged list of things I see on Facebook, I'd say that the interactions people have with each other on Facebook aren't that meaningful. I'm pretty sure that victims' names like Amanda Todd ring right up when "Facebook" and "cyber bullying" are put next to each other. Apparently "connections" and "sharing" are not only lacking substantial significance, but can even be harmful to its users. Facebook can't be that beneficial if it brings about useless and even harmful interactions among its users.
With the rise of the Internet, there seems to be an "Internet addiction" plaguing people's lives. I don't remember where the video is but I saw videos where even this professor talked about how his addiction to a certain Internet game even made him lose his job. Facebook is no different as an Internet platform that users can be addicted to. You might even think about the Facebook Musical video if you've been on YouTube lately. (here: http://youtu.be/Y2JhpNbe2Io) I myself have had a minor addiction to Facebook. I would keep checking my notifications for any likes or comments. If I didn't get any new notifications, I'd get really disappointed and even sad. It's sad that I actually succumbed to such a silly thing but it did happen. Facebook can't be that good if it caused me to obsess over red pixels on the Facebook platform. I've certainly regretted wasting a lot of time on Facebook that could've been used for more productive and useful activities.
I've heard from somewhere or some people that Facebook is a place where you can "reconnect" to old friends. I know my 8th grade teacher has claimed this. I can't deny that it can help people keep in contact with friends that they don't see often. For me, I keep in contact with my friends who where in higher grades with Facebook, especially after they graduate. However, can an online friendship really replace a real life friendship? I don't think so. Facebook likes, pokes, messages, and status updates can't replace the warm interactions friends can have. Even a Facebook gift can't substitute a smile to a friend, or time spent hanging out, or even a gift that is handed to a friend in person. Facebook is a waste of time for anyone who attempts to replace a real life friendship with one entirely on Facebook.
Facebook is a social platform that is popular - but isn't for everyone. It's not for people who get extremely jealous or are prone to OCD conditions. Those type of people will get caught up in the endless stream and pulse of Facebook notifications, likes, posts, comments, and shares. Not only are many of Facebook interactions are meaningless, they can be harmful and make new Amanda Todds. Whatever you think about Facebook, it can never replace a real friendship. Perhaps you could have used those hours you might've wasted on Facebook, wandering on your "friends'" timelines. Maybe spent those "friend"-ly hours on walking outside, reading those books that you might not have time to read, or clean up your messy room if you have been neglecting your clean up.
