It’s my daughter’s birthday today. So this morning I jumped on Facebook to leave her a witty birthday greeting before calling her, only to remember…
She killed her Facebook account several months ago.
After watching the negative effect that Facebook and other social media properties has had on some people, I’ve come to believe that there are many others who should do the same thing.
Don’t get me wrong – I love Facebook, I teach how to use Facebook, and spend time on Facebook. I just don’t believe it’s for everyone.
And unfortunately, it’s those who are saying to themselves right now “I’m certainly not one of those” who are right at the top of the list of the people who probably should kill their account (or at least alter their behavior to get a real life.)
Here are some signs that Facebook is ruining your life:
- You have more communications with people in your tight circle of local friends on Facebook than you do in real life.
- You spend more than 20 minutes a day on Facebook.
- Facebook’s the first thing you do in the morning, then you’re back midday, then again in the evening, just to keep track of the lives of everyone in your friends group.
- You’ve ever found yourself saying “not right now, I’m on Facebook” to your child, spouse, significant other, parent or friend
- You’ve ever announced some important change in your life on Facebook before you picked up the phone or met in person with your closest friends and told them in advance (I’m pregnant, I’m engaged…)
- You’ve cut short a real-world conversation with someone you’ve just met (and liked) so you could stalk them on Facebook
- You’ve ever heard some variation on the words “I wish you would stop chatting on Facebook and spend time with me.”
- You’ve ever revealed something deeply personal on Facebook that you’ve regretted later
- You regularly find yourself together with friends, all accessing your own Facebook accounts instead of actually talking with each other
- Your wall has more applications that your friends are playing than real communications with those you like.
- You go on Facebook mostly to do applications
- You regularly choose to chat rather than to pick up the phone and actually talk with someone (or, gulp, actually visit them!)
Tough words? Possibly. Do they apply to you? Probably.
Just wanted to make you think.
Now, what are you going to do about it?
(Remember I love Facebook, and think most people should too – I just think it’s not right for some people!)
I can’t wait to see your reaction to this one! Lay into me by leaving a comment below.