Social Networking is something most people use every single day. One of the most popular social networking sites is Facebook. Facebook is a great way to get back in touch with long lost friends, neighbors, classmates, and family members that live out of the state or country. The younger generation has become dependent on computers, Internet, cell phones and social networking. Kids as young as 8 years old are now getting cell phones.
Don't get me wrong, older generations are on Facebook as well, but not as much as someone in my generation who grew up with computers at school and home. We are dependent on technology, which is very sad in a way, Think to yourself, what would I do if Facebook wasn't working, my cell phone is broken and the power is out? An older adult might read or go out with friends, but the younger generation has become much too dependent on social networking, and would probably have no idea what to do.
I know more than half of a typical high schools student body has a Facebook account. While Facebook says you must be at least 16 to create an account, I know some students do lie about their ages so they can get an early start on the social networking world.
I have a Facebook that I created in tenth grade. While I was old enough to legally get an account, my family still worried a bit. The deal was, if I didn't know the person requesting me as a friend, I had to go to them. If they didn't know the person either, I had to block them. That worked and I still block people I don't know, just to be safe.
When I was in high school I think Facebook was the best way to ruin a friendship, start rumors, or create drama. While it never happened to me, I saw a lot of other girls write nasty things about drama with each other. I don't do well with drama, so tried hard not to get involved. I saw statutes making fun of the "slow kids," or talking bad about the cute little old teacher, and even talking about who was sleeping with who. While I was shocked to see some of the information students would post on Facebook, I was even more shocked to see some of the pictures they loaded. Don't get me wrong, having a Facebook account in high school was helpful because I lived across town, and Facebooking my friends was sometimes the only way we got to talk on the weekends.
Facebook has become very helpful me since going away to college. I found my roommates on Facebook and we talked the entire summer, which made the first night much less awkward. I have also found friends that have the same classes as me, and we can talk about class and even help each other with homework.
One big downside is that Facebook can become very addicting, and can get in the way of study and homework time, although I have gotten pretty good at doing homework while having Facebook open. When I am on Facebook I am talking to family and friends that are out of state or away at another college, and Facebook is amazing for that reason. I love that I can talk to my aunt in Arizona and my cousin in Texas while sitting on campus.
