Social Networking: My personal downfall

I succumbed to the social networking craze about halfway through ninth grade. It was MySpace, and I remember the occasion well. I didn't really want one to begin with; I didn't see the point in them. It seemed like too much work to design, and I'm not creative enough to come up with an intriguing new way to write about myself or my interests. I didn't even know who I wanted to meet. So for months, I refused. Eventually though, my friend Jessica convinced me that I did need one, and I found a generic, pre-made design featuring soccer. I was an avid player then.

For the first few months, I didn't do too much on it. I added some friends from school, added some who lived back in the States. (I was in Okinawa at this time.) I commented on people's profiles sometimes and occasionally tried to improve my profile to make it more representative of me. But back then, I wouldn't even post bulletins. I had my reasons, reasons I look back and "aw" over, but I was a very timid networker. In fact, I still am, but that's besides the point.

As a matter of fact, I will tell you the point. It became an addiction. I didn't want it. I didn't realize what was happening. Before I knew it, though, I was spending countless hours on MySpace, reading friends' profiles and bulletins, fixing my own profile, putting my limited knowledge of HTML to use. I wanted to keep in touch with my friends, and as any military brat can affirm, that is one of the great benefits of these sites. I've been able to maintain or rekindle friendships I'd otherwise surely have lost. But it's still an addiction.

Honestly, I know there's only so much you can do on MySpace. After awhile, it becomes aimless clicking, and checking peoples' profiles becomes stalking. (I am at least quite certain I never was at that level.) I don't know why I spent so much time on MySpace, but I did. And I must say, while I've moved about 85 percent of the way off of MySpace, the features added -- so reminiscent of one's Facebook had first -- make tween and teen social stalking so much simpler.

That last sentence brings up a new issue: MySpace vs. Facebook. Don't lie; you know you have your favorite. Mine for four and a half years was MySpace, and I was adamant about my hatred of Facebook and it's lack of customization. I have come to realize, however, that as one grows up, more and more often does he move to favoring Facebook. I still wish I could customize my profile, but I do appreciate the consistency that Facebook offers. Also, my friends are now considerably more likely to have a Facebook rather than a MySpace, so the convenience is a plus, too.

BUT! There is always a but. Now I'm addicted to Facebook. Horribly. You may say it's a lack of self-control, but I say it's a lack of anything better to do. Neither are a good excuse, but in my defense, I don't think about Facebook when in the midst of doing something "better." It's just always there. Even in class, 50-75 percent of students (my own personal estimate based on observation and assumptions regarding the average college kid) go on Facebook sometime during the hour if they have free use of their computer. Some kids even get it on their phone!! (I don't.)

With this frequent use comes the desire to make the site more "attractive" to potential subscribers. I present to you: Farmville and other Facebook applications!! I cannot stand them. I do not use them; I think they are a bigger waste of time than anything else on the site. You want a farm? Go plant a garden. You want a happy aquarium? Go buy a real fish. Get out of the virtual world and do something in the physical one.

Oh wait. That would take effort and responsibility. Obviously there's no time for effort because you frequent Facebook instead.

This seems like a lot, doesn't it? I think so, too, but I'm not done yet.

I also have a Twitter account.




But don't worry, that phase only lasted a week.