Topic > The Social Distraction - 1112

In the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live, Betty White said: "I didn't know what Facebook was, and now that I know what it is, I have to say it seems like a huge waste of time. I would never say that the people in it are losers, but that's just because I'm educated. Originally intended for students at Harvard University in 2004, Facebook has grown exponentially into an online phenomenon in the years since 2006 it became accessible to anyone with an Internet connection. Aside from the advantages that give the site popularity, creating a profile comes with a number of significant disadvantages inherited from online social networks. What do more than 500 million active users use Facebook for? Communicating with distant friends and spreading awareness of the causes are common responses. Unfortunately, Facebook has flaws, from limiting relationship privacy to creating an almost unmanageable form of bullying, which makes you reconsider your involvement and think, "I really want to." my Facebook account?". Within minutes, any active user can access information and associations about different causes, such as the ongoing uprisings in Egypt and the Middle East. Teenagers in the Middle East have used their Facebook accounts to promote the “Day of Rage” in Saudi Arabia. Helping to set in motion the Arab uprisings, the event called for elections, freedom for women and the release of political prisoners. The activists' goals of bringing democracy to Egypt and removing Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's fourth president from 1981 to 2011, continue and perhaps with Facebook's help they will be able to realize these ambitions. Causes brought forward through Facebook have served as Facebook's...... middle of paper...... fundraisers. After seeing a theater show, I went out to lunch with some friends, while the others updated their Facebook status or checked their messages, I was left to eat alone. So many people become obsessive with the refresh button about being aware of other people's lives instead of enjoying their own lives with those around them. Considering there are more than 500 million active users on Facebook, it pays to have an account; however, several disadvantages led me to cancel my account. Despite my views on Facebook, I still wouldn't delete my profile. Instead, I'll use it for its real benefits, like spreading awareness about causes I'm passionate about and connecting with old, long-distance friendships. There's no harm in having an account, but it doesn't require your attention every eight seconds. Mine certainly isn't.