Hellobee Boards

@DillonLion: I think that if a social media site has a purpose, it can be a force for good!

I think the way I use it is good. I stay connected with friends I'd probably otherwise be too lazy to keep in touch with. I get to see what my cousins are doing on a daily basis when otherwise I'd probably only talk to them at Christmas. I have made really good friends online that I now stay in touch with primarily on facebook.

I love it! But I also unfriend anyone that annoys me or that I don't genuinely like, so I avoid most of the drama that other people run into.

I feel social media (and even Facebook in particular) has the potential to be, and has been, in some instances (the Arab Spring comes to mind...) but in general I think it just makes people...armchair activism? You know "I'll share this status or "like" this post or sign this petition" instead of physically getting out and doing something.

At least that's the way it seems to play out in America. We sit behind our computer screen and write a status update bitching about politics/religion/society/whatever, then pat ourselves in the back for doing something about it while we tend to our Farmville gardens.

On a personal level, it lets me keep in touch with people I otherwise wouldn't have (both family and old friends) so I keep mine for that.

I was just reflecting how so many people grouse about Facebook and wondering why they don't just deactivate I it bugs them that much. FB gives me what I call "latent awareness" of people on my life who I ordinarily wouldn't stay in touch with. For example, a girl from HS and I just met up (love her), but she wouldn't have been on my radar except for FB posts.

Likewise, twitter was a great source of info during the Arab spring.

I do think kids shouldn't be on it though-- cyber-bullying is awful and has grave consequences.

Yes. The good outweighs the bad. Social Media makes our bug, big world smaller in a good way.

Breast cancer is a great example of the disconnect between the potential of social media and the (at least American) reality of how it's used:

Awesome Potential: Use FB/Twitter/whatever to raise money to donate to breast cancer research, to organize a walk/run with proceeds going to BCR, set up a Meals on Wheels sort of program for women going through chemo who maybe don't have it in them to cook.

Often Reality: Update your status to something vague and tee-hee tongue in cheek like "9 inches" or "Red". Sit back, let people wonder about what's going on and pat yourself on the back for doing your part to "raise awareness".

Not that the former doesn't happen, but more often than not I see the latter.

I think it's great for keeping up with family and friends that live far away. I've also used it to reconnect with people who used to be friends and have now moved to my current city.

I also think its great for connecting with local moms. Since its your real name, photos, friends, etc it helps keep the crazy away.

@DillonLion: I would echo what Mr. Bee said that it can be used for the force of good and get amazing, positive results. A good example would be the Tripp Halstead story (a 2 year old who lost brain function from a freak accident of nature, being at the wrong place at the wrong time on a windy day, when a tree branch fell on him). Here is the link to their story: http://www.teamboom4tripp.com

I follow their updates daily and love reading about his day to day life. He's gained a lot of followers, prayers, support and donations through his FB that his parents created. I don't know them personally but felt the need to donate and did from their FB feed. I think social media is here to stay for a while so it may as well be used for the good of mankind.

@sorrycharlie: This!

I'm not sure... I think personally was a much happier person without an online presence, but it some ways it has made me more knowledgeable about having so many resources at my fingertips. But relationships, I feel, have become a lot harder to prioritize. Instead of being with people, it's easier to just "catch up" over messenger or reading through FB profile.

I also think social media tends to bring out some of the worst sides of people by being unncessarily rude.

@Mrs. Jacks: @sarac: A lot of people are deactivating their Facebook accounts! Their stats are definitely down...

@Mrs. Jacks: yah but the other ones that leave make the site less addictive, so it becomes a sinking ship! I totally agree though... would be great if people voted with their feet instead of just their mouths!!

@mrbee: I agree, every person who leaves helps make the argument "but everyone is there" far less potent.

It's helped me stay in touch with family, since I live far away from them, and my business page has sent me a lot of sales, so overall I like FB. My current fav in social media is app.net, which is like twitter, but WAY better.

It's been a pretty good thing in my life since moving overseas. It's the easiest way to keep in touch with my friends and family back home and keep them updated on me and C. It was an essential tool in helping me settle in and meet people in a new place. It also has given me a resource for information when I had a question. I'm one of those people with a super locked down profile who deleted people who piss me off. I don't have a lot of ridiculous on my personal page.

However, the military spouse pages get ridiculous here and there is a lot of drama. I try and stay out of it.