Williams1 Megan Williams English 111 Ms.

Jarema December 3, 2013 Facebooks Effects in Todays World How many times do you check Facebook a day? How often do you get on the internet? You may have answered too many times to count. Whether you realize it or not technology has become a huge part of our lives. Without technology can you find ways to entertain yourself socialize or do everyday things? We are all becoming dependent on technology. Some argue that technology is wonderful others say it may be harming us. In Nancy Hasss article In Your Facebook.com she explains even though Facebook may be a fantastic tool it leads to some concerns we all should be aware of. She mentions that people are concerned about the way we use Facebook, what we post and most importantly our privacy. On the other hand, in the article How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy Maria Konnikova writes about the different psychological aspects of how Facebook affects our bodies. Konnikova explains the different perspectives of different psychologists; there are some who believe Facebook plays a negative effect on our psychological minds, while others believe Facebook isnt all that bad. Nancy Hass addresses the risen concern of privacy that is among parents, administrators and even some students. College students believe that the authority is stalking their Facebook profiles, searching to get wind of an upcoming party. These students are outraged that the police are using Facebook to crash a party but use the excuse of a noise complaint. Tracy Schario, a university spokesman at George Washington University in Washington; makes the

Williams2 acknowledgement that its sort of an inevitability that if a party is talked about on the site, word of it will reach the enforcement people, who then have no choice but to investigate (Hass, 591). Parents although are more concerned about cyber stalking and what can be seen on their childrens Facebook. Robin Raskin, a technology consultant, suggests that students should be more cautious about what type of information they are putting on the site (Hass, 592). Mr. Huges, the Facebook spokesman, defends Facebooks privacy safeguards. He insists that it rarely receives reports on stalking or any other form of harassment. The complaints that are made require a quick readjustment of the users privacy settings, and a warning message sent to the person who the complaint was filed on (Hass, 593). You have to be careful and watch out; Facebook randomly makes changes that we are all unaware of. Although Hass is concerned with the privacy of Facebook, Konnokiva brings in the perspective that Facebook is bad for our psychological mind. She brings in the view that Facebook can cause its users to become unhappy. Konnikova introduces a newly formed study formulated by a University of Michigan psychologist, Ethan Kross. Kross argues even though Facebook doesnt mean to cause unhappiness but it does. The researchers asked multiple questions including some like how they felt, how worried they were, and how much they used Facebook. Krosss research concludes that people use Facebook in the time between two text messages; the less happy they felt (Konnikova). Research alienating the nature of the internet Facebook in particularsupports Krosss conclusion (Konnikova). Robert Kraut, a researcher at Carnegie Mellon University, founded in a 1998 study that the more people browse the web the lonelier and depressed they felt. After people started to use the internet their happiness and social connectedness dropped, over a couple of years. Konnikova wanted to make sure her readers were aware that A recent review of some seventy five studies concluded that the users of Facebook

Williams3 do not differ in most personality traits from non-users of Facebook (Konnikova). She wanted to make this clear. Konnikova didnt want her readers to assume that only the people who try to alienate themselves from others were the ones who were unhappy from using Facebook. Throughout Hasss article she mentions types of bullying and harassment. Users of Facebook believe that they are safe once entering the site. Robin Raskin, a technology cousultant, mentions that Theres something about all that ivy climbing up those walls that makes the kids feel theyre safe, but anybody can get in there who wants to (Hass,592). Raskin is meaning that just because there are walls put up to limit the people who has access to Facebook, doesnt necessarily make Facebook safe. Hass also briefly mentions the use of groups to make fun of others. One in particular, is the creations of groups that make fun of other races. Facebook does not censor what is posted; therefore, anything can be posted no matter how inappropriate the content may be. Daisy Rodriguez, assistant dean of students at the University of Virginia makes the statement: We see Facebook as a land mine, but we understand we have no authority over it. So our policy is to meet with students who may post things people find offensive and talk about the issues and consequences. Then we hope for the best (Hass, 594). Young adults in general normally do not realize how offensive something can be. Some may think saying Jesus Christ or God Damn it, is no big deal. Although this is very offensive to a religious person, they dont want to read or hear that type of language. Another main concern that is pointed out in Konnikovas article is the fact we can no longer entertain ourselves without technology. This can relate to Hasss perspective on bullying and harassment. Once someone becomes bored they jump on Facebook for entertainment, what

Williams4 is more interesting than reading a Facebook fight or causing one? In an ongoing study Timothy Wilson has learned that students, especially college students, start freaking out within a few minutes of being placed in a room without their cell phones. Wilson emphasizes that we can no longer entertain ourselves as he states One would think we could spend time mentally entertaining ourselves, he said, but we cant. Weve forgotten how (Konnikova). Wilson makes an obvious point that we are all well aware of. Most people cannot go a day, let alone an hour without some sort of technological device. He stresses the fact that when we get bored we quickly turn to the internet to fill the gap. In Hasss article she contributes to the idea that potential employers are meddling their way into emails that end in edu. This is still a concern today, but Facebook has changed since Hasss article was published in 2006. Facebook allows anyone to sign up as a user. This makes it easier for employers to inspect potential employees profiles, if they do not have a privacy guard up. This can be a huge reason why some people do not get hired. We may be tagged in embarrassing photos of a night out, or have been tagged in a status that gets everyone enraged. Students are split on the issue of Facebook exposure. Some are outraged that their youthful indiscretions may be used against them; others seem resigned to privacy being a fantasy in the age of the internet (Hass, 593). Consider what is posted online, not only Facebook but any internet site. Although it may have been a fun night out, it can come back to haunt you. Konnikova includes in her article that Facebook can cause people to become envious or jealous. According to a group of researchers the more people spend browsing Facebook, not engaging in any social discussion, felt more envious then the people who created content. Hanna Krashhova and her colleagues suggested that the effect was a result of social- psychology phenomena of social comparison. Social Psychology is when human behaviors are influenced by

Williams5 other people and the social context in which it occurs. This study was further provoked by a general similarity of peoples social networks to themselves: because the point of comparison is like-minded peers, learning about achievements of others hits even harder (Konnikova). According to psychologist Beth Anderson: We want to learn about other people and have others learn about us but through that very learning process we may start to resent both others lives and the image we feel we need to constantly maintain (Konnikova). A friend of yours may have shared exciting news about landing a new job that many people have interviewed for, which in turn causes jealously among many. Facebook posts are read daily, and some feel the need to compete with others. Reading others statuses on Facebook the feeling of resentment may occur while seeing something posted about getting married, getting a job or any other exciting things. Facebook not only is harmful mentally, it is physically as well. Multiple people believe that Facebook is the greatest thing in the entire world, but what they arent aware of is all the harm the site causes. The people who just sit and scroll through the hundreds of posts a day just reading them are the people who feel the negative effects of Facebook. Although the people who engage in Facebook activities such as, commenting on posts, making statuses, or posting pictures; these are the people who dont feel the negative effects of Facebook even though they are still present. In conclusion, Hass and Konnikova are both proving the point that Facebook is negative. Facebook has its downsides that should be taken with caution. They both mention some positive to Facebook but focus more on the negativity it brings. Facebook users, parents, students or

Williams6 anyone else who has a Facebook or is concerned about loved ones can find these articles useful. Nancy Hass the author of In Your Facebook.com contributes good points about Facebooks negativity. Hasss article is still valid today even though she wrote this article a while ago; it still provides the basic concepts of Facebooks negativity. Although Facebook has changed over the years privacy is still a main concern. Facebook can negatively affect everyone who uses it whether you realize it or not.

Williams7

Works Cited Hass, Nancy. "In Your Facebook,com." Composing knowledge: Readings for college writers. By Rolf Norgaard. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2007. 590-95. Konnikova, Maria. "How Facebook Makes Us Unhappy." New Yorker 10 Sept. 2013. 2013 http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2013/09/the-real-reason-facebook-makes-usunhappy.html