The Facebook Frenzy

It’s what we look at when we’re bored during classes. It’s what serves as our procrastination for doing homework. It’s the only place we can somewhat stalk our exes, friends, and friends of friends without being totally creepy. It’s the only website that makes us wonder how we just wasted the last four hours looking at tagged pictures of ourselves and friends. Yes, I’m talking about the social media site- Facebook- otherwise known as the addiction of most college kids. It’s hard to remember the days before Facebook since it’s become such a huge part of this generation’s life. This social network has allowed us to stay connected, reconnect, and make new connections with all our friends.

We turn to Facebook when we want to showcase our lives so that others can stick their noses in our business. The typical college student’s Facebook page contains collections of pictures and videos that document the raging parties they have attended and some proud and not so proud drunken moments in their career. Unfortunately, I’ve known many people who have graduated college and their own controversial Facebook media came back to haunt them when they applied for jobs. According to an article from The Greater Lansing Business Monthly, “the number of employers using social media sites to screen job applicants numbers in the thousands. Those who search social networking sites to obtain information about job applicants readily admit that they have made hiring decisions based on what they saw on those social networking sites, largely to the candidate’s detriment.” Because of many employers screening applicant’s Facebook pages, I’ve seen many of my friends change their Facebook account names, so businesses can’t find them under their first and last name.

College kids aren’t the only users of Facebook- many parents, even grandparents, are getting their own Facebook Pages, too. In fact, and unluckily, my own mother decided to join Facebook. I regret the moment I hesitantly accepted her Facebook friendship. The other day, which was a Wednesday, my Facebook status said I was going to a party with my friends. Later that night, I saw my mom left a comment on my status which said: “Going out on a Wednesday?! Briana, you should not be partying during the week!” I’m thousands of miles away from home, and yet my mother can still see what I’m doing and yell at me for it. Thanks Facebook!

So what’s the story behind this social media site that even President Obama has joined? Well, the tell-all story is in a movie that just came out, called “The Social Network,” which I am anxious to see. Jesse Eisenberg plays the Facebook founder-and former Harvard student- Mark Zuckerburg in the story about money-hungry and backstabbing nerds and conflicting truths behind Facebook. Also starring in the film, Justin Timberlake and Andrew Garfield. This Facebook movie has sparked some controversy, concerning how valid the film actually is. However, the movie has been getting great reviews, including Entertainment Weekly- calling the movie, “the Must-See Film of the Fall.”

Facebook has changed the way we connect and communicate with other people.It has its pros and cons. In my opinion, Facebook has started somewhat of a social media revolution, and I honestly believe people will find many different and useful purposes for social media sites. I think Facebook has more to offer than just being a website where you can creep on your friends and display pictures of your neighbor's keg party.