Facebook continued
How it works
Facebook is a dynamic internet arena where the number of functions has continued to develop year by year since 2004. Besides being able to send messages, upload photos, albums and videos, or send automatic notifications to individuals, there are a number of newer features such as a wall for short daily messages, pokes, status, little tests, virtual gifts, games, chat, events and family trees.
According to Compete.com and Technorati.com, it is one of the most popular social network services in the world. It is translated into 37 languages and user statistics for 2010 were already well over 500 million around the world. Its popularity has transcended age groups and a recent study showed that the most increasing group was those over 50. It has been referred to as your «home on the internet». It is an arena where interactivity through the various functions have taken on new and exciting dimensions. By creating a personal profile (age, marital status, lists of personal interests, contact information, and photos), one can keep contact with family, friends, school mates, work colleagues and business associates. All registered members can find new Facebook friends or become members of common interest groups. Unlike other social networks, Facebook requires your true identity and there is a 13 year old age limit. It is also free and is paid for through adverts. Through a feature called Marketplace businesses and public enterprises have taken to using Facebook as a medium for free social media marketing.
Although hotly debated, the privacy features on Facebook make it possible to customize or control what types of information may be shared with friends only or with the entire Facebook community.
Arguments in favor of Facebook
- sharing life experiences and daily occurrences
- network building – friends, school, colleges, business, common interest groups
- feeling of belonging
- develops new forms of communication
- age limit
- world access – no boundaries
- Facebook can take out inappropriate revelations
- limits access through privacy features
- great for entrepreneurs and businesses
- good for careers
Argument against Facebook
- addiction
- diminishing social skills
- effects schoolwork and concentration
- diminishing appreciation of books and literature
- overexposure
- exposure to public contempt
- identity theft
- too many applications
- 3rd party access to personal info (employers and others)
- difficulty in terminating accounts
- interface or functionality changes on Facebook can lead to default settings regarding privacy -everyone has access
- data mining or surveillance – use of data collected by other Facebook users to supplement your profile
Task
Study this illustration. It is a mural newly painted on a university wall in Cairo, Egypt. What elements do you see? What do you think the artist has wanted to show with his graffiti?