Facebook has become a household name these days. From posting status updates, photos to applying for jobs, Facebook provides everything. Despite all these, many call it useless or waste of time. The critics argue that meeting with friends in real life can be more effective in growing your social circle rather acquainting them via Facebook.
Ramesh from Delhi says, “There is a difference between friends and people who share your interests. The later may be great to converse with, but they are not people you would want in your inner circle. And yet no connection can be maintained without investing some time in them. Facebook offers an easy way of finding and maintaining contact with these kind of contacts in a non-intrusive, non-time consuming way. The same goes for people who would be very useful to you”.
Vijaya from Chennai says, “Beyond the use of facebook as a medium to connect with friends, most of my facebook use is for certain open groups. Being a developer, mine include Chennai Geeks, Chennai OCC, Bangalore Startups and so on. The quality of discussion in these groups, and the amount of information shared is phenomenal, and does not match with any of the stereotypes otherwise associated with Facebook use.
However some critics say,”Not a big deal to quit Facebook. You will not get live updates from your friends and gets a little outdated.
But in the other hand, you get to use time more meaningful instead of spending time refreshing your Facebook homepage”.
Irritated with criticism of Facebook, Michael says, “It is easy to dismiss Facebook as a waste of time but I have seen Facebook help a family deal with the death of a son. Help a friend quit smoking. Share the birth of a child with close friends on the other side of the world. Rekindle old friendships. Help an elderly woman stay connected with her friends, family and the world after having her driver’s license revoked”.
We were able to compile few points which illustrates the utility of Facebook.
Stay in touch with the friends/family members you love
One benefit of being plugged into the virtual grapevine is that you’re still a part of the lives of the people you really care about. Most of your “friends†might just be fillers in your stats, but there are bound to be a few people who make getting on the site worthwhile.
Keep up with the water cooler gossip
Sometimes Facebook can be really entertaining. People occasionally get into comment wars, post raunchy beach pics, or just rant. Or they post things that may not necessarily come up in casual conversation, and without checking your newsfeed, you’d miss all the inside jokes.
Note changes in relationship statuses
There is no faster way to find out who got together/broke up with who than on Facebook. Looking to see if that girl you met at the party is single? No better way to find out than through her Facebook profile.
Share life experiences with people
Perhaps your friend had a baby, a birthday, graduated from college, got married, got promoted, celebrated their wedding anniversary, or whatever. Without Facebook, by the time you found out and bleated your belated “congratulationsâ€, you would have missed the train.
Be quickly notified of events
Facebook is so universal & accessible that everyone uses it to contact you. Parties, meetings, special events, you name it, and someone will probably send you that invite on Facebook. Deleted account = missed opportunities.