s taken ‘Facebook stalking’ to a whole new level. People have started to go over the top with their use of social network sites like Facebook. Controlling girlfriends frequently check up on their boyfriend’s activity, bosses of companies check out potential new employees, and creepy boys are able to pose as girls through the internet in hopes of seducing males online (http://www.jsonline.com/news/39091967.html)So, how much is too much? This video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iROYzrm5SBM, the character Alice makes fun of Facebook. The video explains a story how Alice’s boyfriend Timmy changed his relationship status from ‘In a Relationship’ to ‘Single’ and how that violates the first rule of Facebook. The story continues to say that Alice wanted to get even by posting embarrassing pictures of Timmy, cautions that too much information should not be included in posts, and continues to say to not steal other people’s Facebook friends.
The video may be ridiculous and over the top, but it really isn’t that far from the truth. Social networking is becoming an obsession, and people of all ages are abusing Facebook. For example, Facebook recently launched a game called Farmville in which users are able to create farms and harvest their crops. What started out as a fun
game turned into an obsession, and this is proven by the men’s lacrosse team here at Dowling College. Everyday in the cafeteria, I see the boys constantly checking their iTouch because they fear their crops will die before they get back to the dorm.If Farmville is affecting 20 year old boys this way, think about how it’s affecting younger users of Facebook that are more likely to get addicted to computer games. These young users, and even the lacrosse team, should be focusing more of their time onto school and their education during their formative years, not on harvesting virtual crops.
Luckily, we’ve convinced numerous of the boys to disband their Farmville, and some of them have been holding up very well, whereas others have given in to the temptation and have created their own Fishville.
How much is too much? What happened to the Facebook where college students across the country are able to communicate and share photos? Help!
I actually think that farmville is awesome. I have mad good crops and it keeps me occupied and off the streets
ReplyDeleteThe thing that scares me the most about Facebook is that, like email, it is easy to hide behind and aids in avoiding direct communication with someone. Texting and Facebook are the dominant ways that young people tend to communicate with one another and it is carrying over into the work place. An example is a young employee that has an issue with a colleague. Instead of walking 20 ft to their office or cube to talk directly to that individual, they instead choose to email or send a direct message, this avoiding what may potentially be a face-to-face confrontation. I see young people (under 30 years old) with diminished skills of eye contact and direct interpersonal interaction every day. Maybe Farmville is causing some short term issues but I think that the power of the electronic invite/PM/email/text/post has the potential to be more harmful down the road...
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. People are way to caught up in Farmville, let alone Facebook. It's sad that a online social network is such a big part of people's lives; looking at pictures of other people, checking status', chatting. And now Farmville?!
ReplyDeleteGood choice on the topic considering it's relevant to so many different ages. Although I don't participate in Farmville myself I know friends of mine that do. I don't think it's always bad to have a virtual world that can help take your mind off things, but once it starts to take over the reality in your life that's never a good thing. However looking at it from another perspective, I'm sure all technological companies love the fact that it has become such a big hit. Since Farmville is making an impact on such a young generation it may become a gateway to other technologies as well. It may lead kids to have a desire for laptops or cell phones or other technological accessories. Sorry parents.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that Farmville is a little excessive. I tried to start one a few months ago but got confused and deleted mine. it's a good thing I did this because I would be on it constantly. However, I am still checking my facebook at least 2-3 times a day. Oops maybe I should spend my time doing something a little more productive!
ReplyDeleteFarmville is definitely taking over lives. I am a member of the men's lacrosse team and one of the few non-farmville participants. Farmville is all the guys do now and all they talk about. Every second of every day!! They are constantly on it and every free second they get they're performing some task on farmville. It absolutely is taking away from more productive things they should be doing with their lives. A word of advice. DON'T GET ONE. Once you're hooked, you're hooked and you will never get off. I've seen it happen and it's not worth it. Great blog Morgan (:
ReplyDeletenot a fan of farmville but alot of people are.. i dont really understand how people love it so much but hey if it makes people happy why not..
ReplyDeleteI once heard, three years ago from one of my college professors, a higher number of students fail out of college due to social network use than drinking and partying combined, sad to think about!
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