I’m on Facebook, and I’m guessing you are, too. Who in the world isn’t?
In fact, I have a personal page and an author page, so I guess that makes me doubly on Facebook. (Let me plug my author page now– feel free to “like” me so we can connect on a more frequent basis!)
There are two schools of thought on Facebook: the “I hate Facebook” crowd who usually only post political rants, and the “I love Facebook and document my entire life on it” group. Oh wait– and a third group. The regular Joes like me. 
(And the fourth group– those not on Facebook. I think there are seven of you in the world.)
Facebook pros:
1. I’ve reconnected with people all over the world whom I haven’t seen in ages or who live too far away for me to chat with regularly, and it allows me to keep up with them and their families.
2. I enjoy some of the funny stuff and blogs that people post.
3. I like being able to post photos of my family for extended family members and interested friends to see.
4. Occasionally I see a post on Facebook that allows me to save money or take advantage of a special offer.
5. I love being able to connect with my favorite authors via Facebook.
6. I like to be able to get out important news quickly to all of my friends.
7. As a follower of Christ, I can use Facebook to encourage others.
Facebook cons:
1. It is a time vacuum. I jump on just to check and end up wasting precious moments. Perhaps that’s why I’m always behind on folding laundry.
2. I don’t enjoy reading about people’s sinuses. Why do people always feel the need to post about their sinuses?
3. I don’t like reading spoilers to my favorite TV shows in other people’s statuses. It’s not their fault that I haven’t watched that episode yet, but I don’t want to know who dies before I get a chance to see for myself.
4. I don’t like statuses that contain “ugh.” Pessimistic people begin or end each status with “ugh”. These people clearly do not eat enough chocolate.
5. I don’t love that people feel the need to post photos of everything they eat and every move they make. That’s what blogs are for. 
6. Facebook is great at pointing out insecure people who are fishing for compliments or those who are incredibly selfish. I actually saw a post in my feed that was complaining about going to someone’s funeral as, “the last thing I want to do today.” Yeah, I bet that person’s family doesn’t want to be attending a funeral for their loved one, either. Thoughtless much?
Is Facebook worth the time we spend on it? Are we actually developing lasting relationships with those we claim as “friends”?
I think that in many cases the answer is yes. Facebook has allowed me to connect with people in my life in a way that wasn’t possible years ago. I consider it a blessing when I can be involved on a regular basis with people I love and care about.
But what about the other “friends”?
I have a rule of thumb when allowing friends on my personal Facebook page and it is this– if I saw you, say, in the grocery store and wouldn’t recognize you or have a conversation with you, we probably shouldn’t be Facebook friends.
If you post in your status that you might cut me as your friend as you “clean house”, well, just know that’s okay with me. I’d love to connect with you, but it’s your choice.
Have you ever caught yourself thinking about your life in terms of, “this is going to make a great status update!”?
I have. When my kids say something cute or something insanely funny happens, one of my first thoughts is, “I gotta post that!” How odd and silly! How much our lives have changed in the past decade! Proof that we might be too involved in social media.
Here’s my general take on Facebook–
Even if I only spend a few minutes on it, they shouldn’t be minutes that I could use on something more important, like time with my family. If I can’t post something either newsworthy, uplifting, funny, or encouraging, I try to refrain from posting at all. I don’t comment on statuses that upset me. What’s the point? And if this form of communicative technology allows me to be involved, even in a small way, with friends and family spread out all over the globe, then I consider it a blessing.
Share with me: What are your thoughts about Facebook? Waste of time or fun way to connect?
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