I log on to my computer, connect to the network and use the same password to log onto Facebook.
I know, my lack of sensible computer password security aside, this is a bad habit. I know that even when I have 30 pages left to read before my class begins in 10 minutes, I shouldn’t be on Facebook. I know all of these things, yet I continue to click on statuses and pictures like time is on my side. I wish the social networking site didn’t have such a power over me and I’m ashamed to say that it does.
There are positives for sure. There was a column just last week in the Collegiate Times about staying up to date on the news through social networking sites, and I think that’s great. The negative, however, is that I’ve already checked my Facebook three times as I write this column and unfortunately I didn’t even learn anything newsworthy. Facebook may make it easier to stay in contact with friends from back home or get invited to events, but in my experience, it makes relationships almost as complicated as my attention span.
My friend recently broke up with her long-distance boyfriend. The realization of the distance added to their problems, and it got to be too much. I’m not going to pretend like I know what I’m talking about, as I was simply an outsider looking in, but the actual break-up, aside from tears and grief, wasn’t too terrible. They didn’t curse each other from their lives or burn possessions. No tires or windows were slashed or broken in the process.
It was when it came to the questionable status of their relationship on the site that was once almost a shrine to their relationship that there was an issue. Pictures became a consistent reminder and the “in a relationship with” had yet to be changed. It was like breaking up all over again, and who wants to go through that so soon? The whole process seemed to be so juvenile — deciding who should change their status first — yet it had to be done.
A version of this article appeared in the Mar 31 issue of the Collegiate Times.
Leave a comment 3 Comments Write a letter to the editor
All letters to the editor must include a name, e-mail, daytime phone number and affiliation to Virginia Tech. Affiliation includes: year and major for students; position and department for faculty and staff; current city for alumni and parents.
That's what the hide option is for....
Reply to this Top
I'd just like to say that I did not read this article. Why? Because I do not have a Facebook account so I do not care.
Reply to this Top
Facebook and the CT is not an appropriate for personal pettiness
Reply to this Top