Adios Facebook

My oldest daughter has signed off permanently from Facebook. After a series of conflicts and misunderstandings caused by her use of this social network, she decided it wasn’t worth it. I understand her reasons and even, agree with her, but I’ll miss her daily comments and entertaining updates. It’s a shame that a handful of ignoramuses have caused this situation which also, have caused me pause to think about the overall use of Facebook.

My daughter was born to be a social being. By the time she'd turned one, she was jabbering constantly, with much of it already in English! She loved to communicate whether it was talking your ear off after school or writing novel length citations in cards or letters she frequently gave others. Facebook was created for people like her and its too bad it hadn’t remained in the hands of people like her; whose only objective is to happily and harmlessly stay in touch. Sadly there simply aren’t enough like her...

Originally Facebook was created as an online social networking site that people could play games, keep in touch and have fun poking one another. I don’t believe anyone thought that it would also, become a magnet attracting hackers whose only intent is to wreak havoc, a forum for malicious and often untrue bullying or an updated venue for gossip sessions. I never envisioned when I signed on many years ago, that it would devolve into such a setting, but given human nature; no one should be surprised. Even the old-fashioned forums such as “coffee” cliques, quilting circles or boys-night-out routinely fell into gossiping and back-stabbing others.

The problem with Facebook or any other online social network is that the assumed anonymity gives individuals additional courage to be more vicious. We just can’t enjoy fun, nontoxic interactions with one another without resorting to unprincipled behaviour. It’s seen everywhere that technology has allowed faceless communication as far back has Bell’s telephone. Sadly technology has unwittingly sanctioned a whole new social crisis; that of cyber bullying, personal defacement and humiliation.

Most of us would never admit to any of these crimes, but then most of us would never admit to the old-fashioned bullying and gossiping. But who is responsible for all these hurtful things? I know, I know...it’s “They”. “They” post spiteful statuses on Facebook. “They” send defaming text messages on their cell phones. “They” are responsible for this new wave of trouble.

It’s a shame that “they” drove my daughter off of Facebook, but when you think about it, maybe those of us who just want to enjoy some harmless socializing, we could opt to get together around someone’s kitchen table and just do it. You know...like the old days!