facebook – friend or foe?
When Facebook
was first created by Mark Zuckerberg in early 2005, it was much different than
the marketed one we know today. It was
only known by a few workers who bragged about it, and even less used it. Now, statistics show that 85 per cent of the
world’s population have a Facebook account, making Zuckerberg one of the
richest and youngest billionaires in the world.
The hype has spread to the younger generation of the 21st
century. But the question is: should we
let them?
It has been
confirmed by the users that the social networking site is prone to hacks,
intrusion of privacy and misleadings.
Several have “friended” people they do not know, and many more have
posted their own celebratory pictures and, others, lewd photos. Constructive and offensive opinions about the
homosexual community, the President, blacks, Muslims and a whole lot of issues
are also posted. This has led to
controversy, insults, legal battles and worse, suicides. These things are to be censored for a mere
child. It has been said that the
internet is a dangerous place, and oftentimes, it seems as if Facebook is the
most dangerous of them all.
Yet, Facebook
is also as much of a friend as it is a foe.
More than ever expected, people have found old acquaintances and have
found a way to interact with relatives across the globe. They keep a healthy relationship with their
friends through chatting and a countless many have realized that Facebook is
just as useful as it is entertaining.
Few have used the site as a place of business, as a new way of living,
while the rest are simply enjoying what it has to offer.
As both
perspectives of the popular networking site are equally true, children can use
Facebook – if only parents would supervise and guide them along the way. This is where the so-called parental guidance
plays an important role.
The elders
would help the child learn about the many perils and perks of being digitally
literate in complete safety. Meanwhile,
the latter would be taught of what is right or wrong and thus be prepared for
the technological future of the 21st century.
Facebook is much of a friend than a foe, after all.
Writer : Jean Dorothy Andrada
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