Facing Facebook

I do have a Facebook account that I originally set up (with my children's assistance!) to see what the fuss was all about and also because I learn best by doing. I rarely use it although I do play around with it from time to time when bored as it can certainly be a great time waster. I did upload a video and some pictures to see how it worked and I must confess, I did use it successfully to re-establish contact with an old friend from library school who is now living in San Francisco. Interestingly, rather than keep using Facebook to communicate, we exchanged phone numbers! I would not use it as the sole means of keeping in touch with people and frankly I'm not all that interested in what other people are watching on TV; however it can be useful to see what favourite authors (Lori!) and music groups are doing. You can also waste a lot of time trying to be witty at the expense of reading a good book! It can be awkward too in terms of protocol - do you ask your boss to be your friend? What if they say no? Is it considered public knowledge (despite the friends only limiters) if someone posts something sensitive?

My kids live on Facebook and it seems to be the main method of communication for that generation. They won't let me be their friend though! I have heard of a trend that is starting for some of them to get "off the grid". It will be interesting to see if in future the younger generation withdraws from it and the older computer savvy generation takes it over as a means for staying in touch with family.