Coming out of the Facebook Closet

Hi! My name is Shelly and I like Facebook.  Whew, I did it.  I was so brave to actually make my confession.  I didn’t realize until recently this was a brave proclamation to make.  I have learned there are many FB haters and they are not afraid to tell you about it.  I will tell you I find it rather odd that many of the people claiming to hate it actually still have one and use one.  I’m wondering if people who enjoy it are afraid to come out of the FB closet and admit they like it, kind of like admitting you like the Twilight movies.   Well, that is absolutely fine.  I like it in the morning, I like it in the day, I like it with green eggs and ham and I like it any old way.

I may not jump up and down with joy when I read that someone tried a new cereal, but I love seeing pictures of my nieces, nephews, my high school friends’ kids, and even peoples cats and dogs.  My day can be brightened by a Bible verse someone posts or just a funny thing my cousin's daughter did.  I love the fact that my elementary school best friend from Texas and I found each other after 35 years and have caught up and kept in touch.  I am inspired by people dedicated to exercise and running marathons (even though I’m on the couch eating a pop-tart while I read about it) and I thoroughly feel like Facebook birthdays are better than having the Olive Garden wait staff sing to you.

I’m personally not into the Farmville, poking and all that other stuff but I see people who get total pleasure out of it and I think it is harmless fun.  I love seeing what my kids post and their friends as well and I like checking up on all my youth group kids.  I have tried shared recipes, learned cures for my daughter’s eczema and received valuable advice regarding my son’s auto accident.  I have prayed with ill friends and cried when friends have lost children.  I find myself sharing good news with my kids about people they don’t even know.   I’m not watching a soap opera of strangers.  These are real people from my life – past and present – some I never thought I’d hear from again – yet some I actually feel I know better than I did back in high school.

I’ve attended functions lately where there have been so many FB haters saying how stupid it is.  My advice is, “don’t use it if you don’t want to.”  It’s obviously not for everybody.  It drove my mom and dad crazy when people were asking to “friend” them that they would call the people and explain that they were only on it to see their grandchildren.  I heard a father complaining about how stupid it was but I thought it was funny to then hear him say he had over 300 friends. I think there are definite situations where Facebook is used irresponsibly.  I’m sure many jobs and friendships have been lost from people venting, and I have heard of old flames reconnecting through FB and divorcing their current spouses.  I also know that cyber bullying is awful and many immature kids are bullying via Facebook.  I’m sure many teens have cried about being “deleted”.   I don’t support any of these uses and I am saddened by awful things that have happened because of abusing the internet through Facebook.  If there was a sure fire method of insuring appropriate Facebook behavior, that would be ideal.  I guess until Mr. Zuckerberg figures out how to set measures to require responsible use (hopefully not through the annoying timeline) use it appropriately and friend people who also use it appropriately.  I usually skip over political rants against my own political party as well as the party I oppose.  I also hate being tagged in a not very flattering picture but these are just part of the game.  My advice regarding Facebook is to use it wisely if you want to use it at all.  If it gives you no pleasure, or you have no desire in keeping in touch with people this way, don’t do it!  No one’s making you go on it, and if an employer or someone is, just remember to not complain about it to your 300 friends!