Facebook is the newest in a long line
of what we now know as “social network” websites. But what sets it apart from
the competitor, is its popularity. At last check, Facebook boasts over 2.23
billion active users.
Established in 2004, from the college dorm room of Mark Zuckerberg, a
Harvard student, the website is now worth billions of dollars and is one of the
world’s most recognisable brand. It’s even had the Hollywood management, with
The Social Network, a film exploring the site’s idea, released to wide approval
in 2011. But, if you’re not quite on top of technology or are new to the
internet, as a parent, or a teacher, you probably have a few questions.
What is Facebook?
Facebook is a website which allow user, who sign-up for free profile, to
connect with friends, work social group or people they don’t know, online. It
allows users to share pictures, music, videos, and articles, as well as their
own attitude and opinion with however many people they like.
Users send “friend requests” to people who they may – or may not – know.
Facebook has over 1 billion users
Once accepted, the two profiles are connected with both users able to
see whatever the other person posts. “Facebookers” can post almost anything to
their timeline, a snapshot of what is happening in their social circle at any
given time, and can also enter private chat with other friends who are online.
People with profiles list information about themselves. Whether it be
what they work at, where they are studying, ages, or other personal details,
many users post lots of information which is easily accessible to their friends
and others. On top of this, users can like other pages which interest them. For
example, a chealsea FC supporter can follow the club by linking up with its Facebook
page. There, the user can post comments and receive club updates, pictures etc.
Why is Facebook so
Popular?
For young people, who have grown up with technology, Facebook was once
the most popular website there is. However, many youth are migrating to other
social networking site such as Instagram (which is owned by Facebook) and
Snapchat.
Those who still use it, use it for
social networking. Young people are natural born multi-taskers, so using
Facebook, as with any social networking website, is almost second scenery to
many teens. Social networking websites allow young people to experiment with
who they are. They are popular because teens can find their own, uninhibited
voice online which they can share with friends. Some teens feel they can express themselves easier online when compared
to the real world because perhaps they feel the virtual world is more secure.
Teenagers love Facebook because they
can personalise their profile. In much the same way that other generations may
have plastered their bedroom walls with posters of their favourite bands or
soccer teams, young people now take part in personalising their own space
online with pictures, music, videos, and comments. The site has made
communicating much easier too. Rather than picking up the telephone to ring
your friend’s house, teens can instantly and unswervingly communicate with
their friends on Facebook. Even email, another
relatively new technology, is of secondary importance to teens who use Facebook
to do the majority of their communicating.
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Facebook: With the Opportunities Comes Risk
However, despite its popularity,
there are also many risks for Facebook’s younger users. inform: Under the new E.U General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Ireland
has now set the Digital Age of Consent to 16 years old. This means young people
under the age of 16 in Ireland are not allowed to access this platform.
Here, Webwise outlines some of the main issues which parents have
concerns about:
·
Privacy: Teens can sometimes forget so
as to what is posted on Facebook is essentially a form of publishing and,
unless profiles are set to private, anyone can view the information. Often,
teens post too much personal information online like photos or phone numbers
·
Predators: While rare, there have been
instances where predators and other dishonest individuals have targeted young
people on Facebook. Due to its nature, the site can be easily access and is
full of personal information
·
Cyberbullying: Facebook provides bullies with
a new and lush battleground where they can inflict utmost damage on their
target through frequent use of vicious messages and other means. There are
numerous stories of hijacked profiles or serious instances of cyber bullying
which have lead to suffering for victims
·
Meeting Contacts: Many parents fear that young
people will meet face-to-face with people they first met online. With this
there are obvious risks. Some young people will take online contacts at face
value, but unfortunately, not everybody is genuine
·
Content: Sometimes, there can be content
on Facebook which is unsuitable for young people and will upset them. Because
of Face book’s popularity, there are a lot of older users and often children
can be exposed to things parents would prefer they were not.
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