Just One More Minute!

Social networking sites are a huge part of today’s world. They are a necessity. As mentioned in my previous blog on media addiction, there isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t log on to check in on all my friends. All of those friends, who, in turn, are doing the same thing. While these sites are mostly for entertainment, a chance to keep in touch and a way to pass the time, there is a fine line between simple enjoyment and addiction. Addiction? To a website? Most people would probably just say shut ‘shut it off’ or ‘read a book’ but for some people, it’s not that simple. It is a way of life!

In the article I chose to cover, CNN is reporting on addiction to Facebook. I have a huge interest in Facebook because of it’s insane and phenomenon like popularity. It is beyond me how one site can be so cleverly designed and executed that people from all different generations, cultures, and countries alike have found common ground. It is an amazing thing.

 Five Clues that you are Addicted to Facebook chronicles the story of single mom Cynthia Newton, who is too busy spending 20 hours a week on Facebook than to help her twelve year old daughter with homework.  Newton claims she ‘gets lost’ on Facebook. Although there are no statistics on Facebook addiction, therapists are seeing more and more cases of people crossing the line from social networking to social disfunction. Problems arise when users ignore family and work obligations because they find the Facebook world a more enjoyable place to spend time than the real world. The article then continues on with five signs that you have taken your love of the FB too far. They are:

 

 

 1. Loosing sleep over Facebook

 2. Spending more than one hour per day on Facebook

 3. Becoming obessed with old loves on Facebook

 4. Ignoring work in favor of Facebook

5. The thought of leaving Facebook leaves you in a cold sweat

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paula Pile, a marriage and family therapist in Greensboro, North Carolina, has her own quick test: “Try going a day without Facebook. If you find it causes you a lot of stress and anxiety, you really need to get some help.”

 While this particular article focuses on addiction to Facebook, it’s honestly not all bad news. Facebook has completely remodeled the face of communication today. It is quick, user friendly, everyone has access and most are already users, and it is hip, up to date with what people want to know and want to see. Facebook has mastered the impertinent task of blending media need and media want, creating a communication machine that is ahead of the rest.

And Facebook goes beyond gossiping time with your roommate. Facebook is used to promote major companies, small businesses, local and national events and news from all spectrums. People are constantly getting updates on all types of information. Facebook is used as communication methods between employees, because of features like chat.

It’s also used in a student teacher setting, to assign assignments and communicate about important documents. My sociology class last semester, for example, we were all friends on Facebook. We talked about questions we had and any confusion on the material. In this setting, Facebook was actually a fantastic learning tool. We were even friends with our teacher!

Professions in the mass communication industry are also obviously being affected. Besides what I’ve already mentioned (advertising on the site, news through updates, stories on various pages…) Facebook is helping to shape the future of what online communication is going to be like. New sites are popping up all the time; mimicking the magic that Facebook has created in an attempt to be the next big thing. For example, our class Mypage site has many of the same basic features as Facebook. It’s been a great experience for us! It’s this kind of buzz that gets me excited for the future of social networking and communication advances!

Check out this video that goes along with my article!