Don't you love getting a friend request from a long lost friend from elementary school on Facebook? But, do you really want to invest time into that "relationship"? Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can all be a lot of fun, what is social networking really doing to us?
Tim Jarvis writes about social networking In an article for Oprah.com. He argues that Facebook and others like it have us too connected. That we are investing a lot of energy into friendships that are not important at all. I have to say I agree, we are becoming to connected. How many times have you had a Facebook "friend" walk right by you in Walmart? We are focusing on building friendships that do not exist.
Robert Mackey says that social networking can actually be bad for your health in the New York Times blog. He says that is a form of over stimulation. Like when babies senses are too stimulated and they become cranky. He says that the same thing is happening to adults that are perhaps overly engaged in social networking. Ever tried to go a day without your phone? I can see it.
I like social networking, participate in it every day. Not checking Facebook for a whole day makes me feel sad and depressed, cut off from the world. I can certainly see where these authors are coming from, and I even agree with them. But I can also see the good in social networking. Not only is it a lot of fun to stay connected with people that you otherwise may not. I also think about the real time news value of social networking. For example, if a natural disaster happens in your area, isn't is nice to be able to check Facebook , and several news pages at once, from your safe place to see if the danger has passed?
Social Networking can be harmful. We must learn to use it sparingly, if you will. I guess what I'm trying to say is...