Facebook Face Off...

Hi guys :)

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who read the blog, I really appreciate it! Also saying hello to my super supportive Housemates, who said they wont read it unless they are mentioned... sound guys :P

So today I want to talk about Facebook.

Like alot of people in today's society, I enjoy using Facebook. I'm not really a die hard fan, I dont check it every minute of every hour of every day. I'm more of a once-a-week spree type of girl.

Facebook is fantastic, I admit. It is one of the best social networking sites I have ever used. It has so many uses; promoting events, promoting awareness about campaigns around the world, promoting business/products/services as well as the obvious, keeping in contact with friends and family both at home and far away.

It does however, have some serious faults about it. You need to have your whits about you when using the site so you don't get trapped in the web. These are just some things I've noticed about facebook since I started studying Media and PR last year. They have completely altered the way I look at the site, and the way I handle the information I share on it.

• 1. People seem to be using Facebook as an online diary, in which they tell everyone the in's and out's of their day. What they had for lunch, how the public transport was that morning, what lecture is annoying them, how their friends are irritating them and my favorite, the "song-lyric-that-is-deep-and-meaningful-about-an-ex-or-current-love-interest-who-is-seeing-this-now-and-cringing" status.
  Now I don't claim to be prefect, I have committed each of the above mentioned status crime's at least fifty over the last few years of using the site. Honestly though, is it me - or are people seriously starting to take the mick? Status's that are longer than 3/4 sentences about ANYTHING, belong in a blog, in a diary or in a text message to someone who cares or in your mind. That's harsh, but some people just don't seem to understand that not everyone wants to have their news feed clogged with status's that have a "click to read more" tag underneath. That is not a good sign. People these days seem much more inclined to share their opinion on EVERYTHING, not just certain things that need defending. I am not saying people shouldn't have opinions or share them, but you don't need to tell us what you think about everything, all the time. I like a good debate about which Harry Potter film is the best out of them all, but I don't post reems of information about which one I chose and fight to the death to defend my belief and prove it correct. Maybe, its just because I don't care that much...(and I couldn't choose anyway.)

• 2. Putting up pictures of children that are not yours. WHAT??? Yes. I have noticed a trend of young lad's and lassies that put up pics of their Nieces, Nephews, children they baby sit and children of their friends. This sets off alarm bells for me. I dont know if it is just because privacy is a big issue for me, but once you put an image online, it never fully comes back down. For all you know, that picture you took of your Nephew Joe yesterday at the park, could end up being used by a student in the other end of the world during a presentation one day. I dont want to alarm anyone, but this is the least that could happen, there are some very not nice people out there. From a Media Students point of view, I would never post a picture of a child with out the parent approving the picture, but i probably wouldnt post a pic of my child anyway. Just to be on the safe side. I would hate to see it get used for some sort of purpose other than what it was intended for, to show Nephew Joe enjoying the swings in the park, but things happen. I understand that people don't even think about it, they think its just their friends and family that will see it, but that is not the case. Hopefully reading this will make you aware and possibly change your view on this, because the little one's we love so dearly deserve to be protected.

• 3. Checking in to locations. This is so dodgy. I never really want people to check me in at places but people don't even ask you, they just do it with out thinking. opening yourself up to all sorts of people knowing where you are at any given time is just wrong in my opinion. I enjoy being slightly mysterious...and don't necessarily want my Mam and Dad to know I have been in the pub since 2 o clock on a Tuesday evening when they know I have class till 4. I'm happy for you to be enjoying "The Lol's" in the cinema in town with your friends, its other types of these posts that baffle me. The type of log in like "Enjoying the sun at Tra More beach, hope little Milly is okay home alone". So imagine Milly is your  friends new dog. She and her family are away at the beach for the day. While Friend expresses her concern for Milly, she has also informed all suspicious characters that her house is empty. GO FISH. Friend and her family arrive home to find Milly outside the house shivering in the cold by the front door. They wonder how she got out. Answer is, Friend check in away from home, and some sort of suspicious character aw this on facebook and mentioned it to his mate, who went and robbed Friends house for all it was worth. Good job Friend, feel stupid now? Next time, bring Milly with you, and leave a light on upstairs and in the sitting room. Twat.

People dont seem to understand that anyone can access youre account and read these comments, view youre pictures and know where you are at all times if you put the information up there for them to access. Hopefully this will make you think about the way you share information and how much. I need only meet you once in a pub, find out your full name and I can "creep" to my hearts content on your Facebook page. Next time I see you, I'm going to ask about that picture of you asleep in a boot at Oxygen 2008, Why are you wearing a pink jumpsuit ? I will also ask if your Granny is feeling better... Just don't be shocked about how I found out what pub you were going to tonight...