I feel that it is the way someone may use social media that
ruins intimacy, not social media itself.
For some, social media is a way of life and, for the most part, always
has been. For those of us that did not
grow up in the technology age, it is a new way of meeting people or
reconnecting with old friends. I, for
one, have been someone that is late to the show, so to speak. It never interested me to use technology to
meet new people, even though I know several individuals that have had successful
experiences in doing so. I was nearly dragged,
kicking and screaming, into this new era of open communication through social
media. Family and Friends would laugh at
my apprehension; told me I needed to “get on Facebook” and reach out to old
friends . . . “get on Facebook” to see family photos . . . “get on Facebook” to
stay in touch with family that I don’t see frequently. Finally, I took the plunge and joined Facebook. I couldn’t believe the people that seemed to
have been waiting for me to join; friends I had not seen in years. I had several friend requests within the first
30 minutes. I was stunned.
I may not be the person that lives on Facebook and spends every
day checking in, but I have to say, I am happy I joined. I am now in touch with family from across the
country. I have reconnected with friends
that I haven’t seen in years. It has
allowed me to consider the possibility of using other social media sites, as I
no longer see social networking as destroying the face-to-face, but rather, see
it as a helpful tool in connecting with others.
How did those initial notifications and friend requests make you feel? I think the emotion that is linked to each notification is what keeps people interested in social media. I enjoyed reading your blog because when I read it, it felt as if you were talking rather than writing an essay. Good post!
ReplyDeleteI too was hesitant in joining Facebook. I only had a few friends out of state and I knew that I had enemies looking for me. What made you to finally join Facebook? I enjoy connecting with friends out of state and teachers back home, but do you enjoy the drama or the troubles of miscommunication? I know that some messages are interpreted incorrectly because the tone of voice and facial expression is absent. Do you miss talking on the phone all the time instead of Facebook Messaging somebody? Have you expanded your social media use to other websites or are you limiting yourself to Facebook? When you are a part of multiple social media sites, it becomes addicting to checking them all whenever you can.
ReplyDeleteI think that although social media can help reconnect with old friends or family that it still doesn't have the same amount of intimacy that a face-to-face connection does have. So are you still friends with those people that you caught up with on Facebook if you don't go to see them? I mean yes they support you and are loyal like any friend. But, what type of intimacy do you really have?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that it is how individuals use social media that later affects personal intimacy. My mother is a person that struggles with confidence and technology. When Facebook was new to the rest of the world, I told my mother she should access an account. At first she was reluctant and wouldn't do it. I then told her later on that family we see once a year were trying to contact her. Eventually Mom made an account and is happy she did. You said you would consider using other social sites. If you decided to communicate on other social sites, what sites would they be and why? What is most important to you regarding Facebook? Would you tell other people you know to join?
ReplyDeleteI agree with you social media that later affects personal intimacy. When social media came out, I tired getting my mother to get an account as well. I think face-to-face is better than social media.
ReplyDeleteI was not a first on Facebook either but I have become a fan of it and check it several times a day if possible. I agree that it is not the social media that ruins intimacy but rather how it is used. I think it has positives and negatives but it all begins with the user.
ReplyDelete