Facebook: Destroyer of Families?
After skipping my three-day a week work-out for the past couple of weeks for one reason or another, I finally found myself out the gym again. I hopped on a treadmill and started my usual regimen of cardio. I’m sure at this point you’re wondering what that has to do with Facebook and the question as to whether or not it can ruin families, but stay with me on this one. As I was going along on the treadmill I found myself checking my Facebook, which isn’t unusual, but it got me to thinking. People seem to praise Facebook quite a bit as it connects people to their family that may live across the country or even the world and allows them to keep in touch with old friends. But what about the dark side of Facebook, what about the negative effects it can have on those who use it and their relationships with others?
If you think about it, Facebook can be very detrimental to anyone’s relationship, whether with friend or significant other. People don’t often think before they post a status or picture, or so I’ve noticed which can certainly lead to some trouble. For example, you tell a friend a white lie about not being able to go out because you’re sick in bed and then a few hours later you post a status about how you’re out with another friend. How do you think that makes the person you blew off feel? I’m guessing it’s not a good feeling.
But is hurting one’s feelings only scratching the surface of a potential problem? Facebook could potentially break apart families or be a source of bullying for example. It amazes me how many stories I’ve heard of people being bullied on Facebook and no one being able to do anything about it for one reason or another. Looking at breaking families and relationships apart, Facebook can create a lot of jealousy amongst couples. Your significant other gets a new Facebook friend and suddenly they’re not only posting on one another’s walls, they’re suddenly neighbors on The Ville—a popular Facebook game. Jealousy begins to bubble in the pit of your stomach, which may or may not lead to fighting and the potentially to a break-up or separation of a married couple.
What about families? How can it destroy them? Like I said previously, some people don’t think before they speak, or post in this instance. I’ve heard of families breaking apart because of one post someone made about another family member, maybe revealing something that the family member didn’t want others to know about such as a separation. Or maybe because a family member decided to air their dirty laundry with another family member in this public arena, which caused other family members to get involved and maybe even split the family in half—taking sides.
Facebook has a lot of positives, but sometimes I don’t think people realize how much negativity can come from it. It’s not always a safe environment and it can destroy relationships and even families. Let me turn it over to you, readers.
Let’s Chat!:
What are you opinions on Facebook? Can it destroy families or am I reaching a little too far? Share your experiences.
Photo Credit: Dave Rutt
Posted on August 1, 2012 by Felicia
Facebook makes bad behavior easier in so many ways…
I completely agree, Julie. We had some drama this past week because of something that happened on Facebook. It was really horrible and it makes me regret ever having one.
Everything has positive and negative values, as well as with facebook. If we too often use facebook as compared to come together, communicate with our families. Maybe there will be disharmony in the family. But if we are using facebook as a medium to communicate with family members, share stories, photos etc.. I am sure our family will always be in harmony with each other. Sorry for my bad comments
erwin recently posted..Trimline Treadmill
I just found your site, and I think you have done a wonderful job here. Personally, I have also seen friends of mine become so addicted to the games on FB that it has greatly affected their lives and lives of family too. Now, I personally do not care for FB, and wound up creating my own site.
Though I do not care for FB, we should not pin all the blame on one site or another, as it is ultimately up to each individual to take responsibility for their own actions.
Welcome to Familial Ramblings, Mikailah, and thank you for stopping by! I completely agree with you that not all the blame should be put onto the social network as people do need to take responsibility for their actions. It’s kind of sad really because FB was created to be a way for people to connect and now they’re getting hurt because of it.
Dual side of coins… positive and negative of Facebook. “Some people don’t think before they speak, or post in this instance”, and you’re really hit the point, Felicia..! They just do something they can’t “undo”… Well… we can delete from our Facebook wall but, can we “delete” from our friends or family memory? Who already saw or read it..?
I like how you remind us about this, and hope we can more carefully when post something in our Facebook wall(or timeline?)….
Thank you for stopping by, Paduka! It certainly does have dual sides, which is a real shame because it started out with really good intentions. And you’re right, once someone sees what you’ve posted, even if you remove it from your wall (or timeline) you can’t erase it from the memories of those who already saw it.
Popped in from Saturday Sharefest! I think it hurts families because so many couples look up old flames!
Blond Duck recently posted..Saturday Suspense
Thanks for stopping by! I’ve certainly see it harm families because significant others look up their old flames. Jealousy is not a good thing to have in a relationship and this usually seems to cause it.
{Melinda} I agree … I think one of the biggest mistakes I made with FB was giving it to my kids — particularly my daughter — too young. She was not ready to use it responsibly and she ended up getting it taken away for long periods. Now, at 15, she’s much better able to handle it. But I have to be on top of it all the time. I can’t let my guard down.
Great post to remind us to be aware of what we post — not everything we think or feel is for public consumption!
Stopping by from SITS!
Thanks for stopping by! I think if a parent is going to let their child use Facebook or any social networking site, really, that they should keep a watchful eye on them like you are with your daughter. It can lead to a lot of problems I’ve noticed.
I can speak on this from a personal note. It’s caused severe issues in my relationship history, my moms current (I wish to be previous) relationship and just friends that I’ve seen to get divorced over Facebook. Facebook only hinders a relationship from sharing photos to distant family members, in my opinion. I. Hate. Facebook. You know this, very well.
Thanks for sharing with us! It can certainly cause problems in relationships from what I’ve seen. I’ve heard stories about marriages breaking up because of something that happens on there. I’m very well aware that you hate Facebook, haha.
I don’t quite agree with it… because I think FB can be very practical for families to connect or chat if or just in case they’re far away from each other, you know… like or for example, some live in another country & cannot chat with each other so yeah, you get my drift do you?
Naiwen, please got back and read the first paragraph of my post. I acknowledge that is has positives, but it also does have negatives.
Sorry about this…I didn’t read through thorougly…