Facebook can be a useful social media platform, not a waste of time when used correctly by connecting both old and new friends and connecting people no matter how far away they are from each other.
In essence, Facebook is a great tool that can be used to promote positivity and togetherness. Out of all the social media platforms, Facebook still prevails, because of its versatility. Most of my friends and even my parents, who aren't technology-savvy, use Facebook because it's helpful to them all in different ways. For example, you could be in the state of Florida and still contribute to a friend's up and coming business, even though they live in Tokyo.
While pundits argue that Facebook has widened the generation gap even further, I disagree with this notion. According to Pew Center for Internet and American Life survey, ‘Facebook’s growth regarding users in the past few years originated from older users of up to 65 years’ ("Social Media Update 2014"). A majority of these people signed up to be able to make contact and keep in touch with their children, grandchildren, and friends. This survey found that 45% of the older generations who have access to the internet are on Facebook which I an increase of 10% from the previous year.
There are also many aspects of Facebook that promotes togetherness. There are gender-positive Ads that have not only empowered women but also encouraged positive environment all around us. For instance, when IQ Facebook showed adverts to a group of participant, they discovered that women were most likely to indicate that they would like to watch a related film when they saw an image they perceived as protecting female empowerment against female sex appeal (Alexander). As such, Facebook promotes the concept that gender positive messaging is very useful in improving togetherness.
Consequently, such gender positive messaging promotes goodwill and loyalty. Facebook is a kind of a platform in which people engage in constructive conversations that are positively influencing both the young and the old alike (Alexander). Regardless of how far people are from each other and regardless of gender, people engage in empowering conversations that in essence improve the society. Considering that fact that culture and demographics do not really while on Facebook, we get to engage with people from diverse cultures and consequently we are exposed to diverse views on various issues.
Facebook also help in building or even strengthening our support network. We are all humans, and we are social creatures meaning that if we let ourselves wander far off from the people we care about such as our friend and families, then our very own supported network is threatened. The reality is, at one point or the other; we all go through tough times, and these are the times we need other people to lean on for assistance and love. No matter how far we are from each other, Facebook enables us to reach out to each other. By reaching out and continue building relationships, we simultaneously grow our support network.
Additionally, Facebook helps us in creating new and valuable friendships. Just yesterday, I had a longtime friend of mine sent me a message on Facebook (and copied a link to another friend his) and said that the three of us should meet up. He further pointed out that we share a lot in common both professionally and academically and I am eager to meet up with them. Besides, through Facebook, many people have found not only long-lasting friends but also found the love of their lives (Alexander).
Traditions have led us to think that by making face to face contacts with our friends and families we know everything about them, which is not true. This is because people are always busy with work or school that creating time to have conversations on face to face basis is very hard nowadays. However, Facebook is a platform that anyone can use while at work without any inconveniences (Alexander). This means that we can have a real conversation with your loved ones, know how they are doing and if need be, advice each other.
Last but not least, Facebook plays an essential role in activism. For instance, it played a critical role in mobilizing people to take part in the Jan 2017 global women’s march. While a proximately 500,000 people participated in the March in Washington, another estimated 3 million people took part in demonstrations in various cities across the U.S. on January 21. The organizers of this event mainly collaborated and coordinated through events and groups on Facebook. Photos of the protest were uploaded on Facebook consequently going viral all over social media.
Conclusion
Even though there have been adverse effects of Facebook as a social media platform, there are very many ways I can be beneficial to us. It all depend s on an individual's intentions of using Facebook if you use it for good it will likely be good for everyone and vice versa. As discussed above, the benefits of Facebook include but not limited to promoting togetherness, connecting with family and friends, building new friendships and even activism. Thus, the bottom line is, use Facebook properly.
Works Cited
Alexander, Leigh. "How Facebook Changed Our Friendships." The Guardian, 21 Feb. 2017, www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/feb/03/how-facebook-changed-our-friendships.
"Social Media Update 2014." 9 Jan. 2015, www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/09/social-media-update-2014/.
