LET'S TALK: FACEBOOK

So I love talking. I am always game for some good conversation. I especially love talking to other women, which probably explains the countless hours I’ve logged talking to my mom and sister. I love having conversations regarding the world, the gospel, motherhood, families, the strength of women and how all of these things work together. These conversations and discussions always leave me feeling buoyed up and motivated to be better.

I also love to blog. And not only do I love to blog, but I happen to blog with many amazing women (I’m lucky enough to call friends). And so I thought (light bulb ping!) it would be kind of fun to combine these two loves. I’ll introduce certain topics that fall under the previously listed categories and then add in your two cents, plus advice and/or ideas, which equals a great formula for fun and educational online discussion. Right?

The point is to see how these issues relate to us, as women, and as Latter-day Saints. I would take the time at this point to open this up to men, but I know that there are no men that look at my blog besides my husband, and maybe my dad and my brother...maybe.

Now, to my first topic of conversation: FACEBOOK

The Issue

I know I’m not the only person who finds themselves wondering how to handle the Facebook phenom. There two different aspects of this issue that I find myself…concerned about. 1) How will I introduce this and other online social mediums to my children and other youth I have influence over 2) How will I choose to conduct my personal participation in these same things?

The Problem

There is always the good and the bad to things like this. And just as there is a dark side and a light side to many aspects provided by the world wide web, Facebook is just another oreo milk shake to be pilfered through and figured out as an individual trying their darndest to be their best self.  

The other day while driving in the car I heard on the radio a similar statistic to this article that I later read that stated 1 in every 5 divorces is due to Facebook. I’m sorry, what? That’s pathetic.

As for the youth, I’m not quite sure what negative effects it has, other than I’m sure it’s pretty similar to the  many other unsupervised forms of communication that are available to teenagers today. And well, the old spending x amount of hours staring at a screen is never good.

I’m not going to lie, it’s good entertainment to see the back-row introvert is now working for a Fortune 500 company and probably already bringing in 6 figures a year, but do I really need to see what’s going on in his life? It might even be intriguing to see where an old crush ended up. But am I really their friend? Really? I don’t think the term “friend” has ever been used so loosely than in the world of Facebook. In fact, where do we draw the line as to who we add, who we turn away? Oh and speaking of which, what is the proper etiquette for turning people away? Should there even be one? Do we end up having a bajillion friends because we’re afraid we’re going to hurt what’s-his-name’s feelings from what I think was high school?

Solutions

But there is the good. I’ve seen Facebook allow extended families, even immediate families, stay in closer than they ever would have without it. And who doesn’t love tons of happy birthday wishes on their big day or really actually being able to stay in contact with a dear friend, where it otherwise would be hard to do so. So I don’t believe banning Facebook is the answer, in fact I believe it’s imperative to figure out how to use it constructively, as I don’t see it going anywhere any time soon.

My mom was telling my about a stake conference meeting where one of the speakers was talking on how they as parents chose to run their home and one of the rules they made for their children in regard to Facebook was that they only were allowed 100 friends. So they would really have to consider and prioritize who they were going to allow access to their Facebook page. What do you think about this?

So here are the questions to consider and want to hear your fine thoughts, advice and wisdom.

• Am I overreacting? Do you think even think there should be guidelines? Come on, you can tell me.
• If so, what should they be for you personally? What should they be for our children or for youth we might have influence over?
• Lastly, what should those guidelines be?

Seriously, if you’ve made it this far, please leave a response. 1) So I don’t feel like a loser for having one-sided conversations with myself. 2) It will be cool, I promise. it will be like the new blogging revolution! (Which reminds of a time in college where someone commented during a lecture and accidentally said something about making New Years revolution instead of a resolution. Upon noticing her error she cried out, “ A New Year’s Revolution!”. I still chuckle to myself about it….Ahhh…but I digress)