While Facebook has provided us with an easy means of keeping in touch, sharing our lives, nurturing relationships, and even helping charitable organizations, it does have its share of negative effects. Following are some of the less desirable aspects of Facebook of which users should be aware.
Wasted Time
For some unknown and mysterious reason, time moves rapidly when one finds oneself engaged in certain Facebook applications. It is not unusual for a person to spend upwards of an hour tending to his 'Farm Town' or taking quizzes that reveal things such as 'The Color of [His] Love' when he could be spending his time engaging in far more productive activities.
Facebook is the ultimate enabler for those with a tendency to procrastinate, and the realization that one has spent the better part of the day playing 'Mafia Wars' is a harsh one indeed. These habits are nearly impossible to break. They are so addictive, in fact, that many Facebook users will log on from the workplace putting their very livelihoods in jeopardy.
Declining Social Skills
Just like any other internet social venue, such as forums, chat rooms, and instant messenger services, Facebook allows people to communicate without ever having to see one another face to face.
Mental health professionals worry that these cyber interactions are a detriment to participants in that they discourage traditional human interaction. It is far easier to log onto a website and chat with friends than it is to drive to their homes to see them in person, but physical human interaction is important to one's mental well-being. Also, maintaining contact solely through cyberspace can be damaging in that it is somewhat superficial and not as meaningful as face to face conversation.
Lest you forget the nuances of a smile or the meaning behind an embrace, it is best to use Facebook sparingly in maintaining interpersonal relationships.
Dangerous Content
Though Facebook is vigilant and quick to remove offensive or dangerous content, some still finds its way onto the site. Groups promoting anorexia and bulimia as a valid means of weight loss, for example, are dangerous for impressionable teens. Additionally, the prevalence of pornographic images makes it difficult for the site to find and remove all offensive content. Hate groups encouraging intolerance toward gays or minorities are also common, though these are technically allowed due to freedom of speech laws. Therefore, it is imperative that the online activities of any teen using Facebook should be carefully monitored by a responsible adult.
Computer Viruses
With so many users, it is not surprising that Facebook has a few members who take pleasure in inconveniencing innocent members by creating damaging computer viruses. These can take on many forms including applications, mass messages, and the like. Facebook usually becomes aware of the more harmful bugs quickly, but there is still a risk of infection.
In order to avoid this, use only applications with a large 'fan base' and positive user reviews. Avoid opening e-mails from friends that seem suspicious. Contact your friend first to be sure he intended to send you the content. Also, always be wary of content sent to you from any stranger who has requested to be your friend until you are sure you are dealing with someone who is trustworthy.
Personal Safety Issues
The darkest side of Facebook involves those with base and criminal intentions posing as innocent teens. Social networking sites, though they try their best to keep their sites safe, have provided an easy means for stalkers, sexual predators, and other criminals to find potential victims and deceive them into thinking they are friends.
Facebook users of all ages must take utmost caution when inviting online friends into their lives. There is always the chance that those 'friends' might turn out to be dangerous strangers.
Common Sense
Despite these dangers, for the most part, Facebook is a fun and safe venue for passing the time and interacting with friends and family. With caution and common sense, most users will find that Facebook offers a positive experience.