Okay, I’ve never been a big Facebook user so I might be jumping the gun. Here’s what I have noticed in the past six months – almost all of my new friend requests are coming from family and friends over 60. What’s funny is the comments that accompany these friend requests. Most say the same thing: “Look who finally joined Facebook!”
Basically, I’m not the one to judge whether Facebook’s time has passed. I have an account I glance at about once a month and while I find some of the comments/posts interesting, most are not.
Two years ago, my then 13 year old daughter deleted her Facebook account, citing its useless drama as the reason. She did rejoin, because it was where her school posted its information on Cross Country and Track meets and practice changes. The last time she posted anything on Facebook was on March 20, 2013. Her previous post was on February 23, 2013. Seems to me if Facebook is counting on her to keep them going strong they might be in trouble.
Which brings me to Facebook’s new Facebook Home. Of course, I hadn’t heard of it – I blame LiberalGeek! – but when I looked into it all I could think is… Facebook Home looks like extra work. But what do I know?
Luckily, I have an expert handy. It’s spring break so my almost 16 year old daughter is home with me, which means I get to interview her. Here’s how this is going to work… I’m going to write questions and then turn this computer over to her and she’ll type her responses.
Question: What do you think of Facebook?
I think that Facebook is alright. There isn’t really much point to it anymore due to all the other social networks out there. If I wanna know what somebody is doing I’ll probably just check Twitter or text them. I usually just check Facebook when I’m bored and trying to kill time.
Q: How often do you use Facebook?
I use Facebook daily, but I rarely ever post. I use the “poke” feature a lot because it is fun to kid about “poke wars” with your friends and an easy conversation starter. I often tease my boyfriend that “I’m winning this poke war” or “Poke me again, I dare you. XD” as I way to start conversations. These conversations, however, take place through text messages instead of Facebook messages because I don’t really see the point of Facebook messaging… if I want to talk to somebody I would have their phone number and just call/ text them, not start a FB chat.
I also use Facebook to check on school and sports. In reality, that’s what Facebook is used the most for. People get on, check their homework and get off. That’s usually it, well except for the people who use it as their diaries but that’s a whole other story…
Q: What other social sites do you use?
I use Twitter, but I only read about 1/8th of what people post. I know some people who are really, really, REALLY into Twitter and feel the need to tell you about every single, little detail about their lives, but I don’t really understand that obsession. No one cares that you are “Sitting in the front seat of the Lexus <3” or that you “Have practice in a half hour. FML” Twitter is annoying because my generation only really tweets about a couple of things: relationships, how much their parents suck, and sex.
I also use Instagram a lot. I prefer Instagram because people don’t post nearly as often and the pictures are usually more interesting than pointless tweets and Facebook. The bottom line is that my generation mostly uses social sites as a way to get attention. It’s full of people complaining about stupid stuff and girls posting pictures of themselves in bikinis. It’s fun at first, but then it just gets boring as you begin to see it for what it really is: a giant source of drama.
Q: Do you use these other sites more than Facebook?
Eh, yeah. I guess so. Not by a lot though.
Q: What is your primary source of keeping in contact with your friends, and why?
Texting, for sure. I don’t want the entire world to know my business (between me and the person I’m chatting with), so I’ll just say it to them in a personal message rather then post it on their Facebook wall. I also talk on the phone and Facetime with my friends, but not nearly as much as I text.
Q: I showed you the video from Cnet of Facebook Home, what do you think of it?
At first it seemed kinda cool, but I think that it would get super annoying after a while. Also, it would be really distracting. It’s hard enough for me to get my homework done while just texting people.(Procrastination! WOOT!) If I’m understanding that video, I’ll now have to go through Facebook Home to get to my texts?! Or have to take the time to exit out of Facebook Home every time I use my phone. Yeah… that chemistry work isn’t gonna get done…
Q: Do you think Facebook’s time has passed?
Yeah, but I also think that innovation and advancements in technology can bring it back. Mark Zuckerberg is pretty good at keeping the public on their toes with changes in Facebook and the way it works. In my opinion, all it’s gonna’ take is one new, bright idea to bring about a resurgence.
Q: I’ve just read through your answers and I have one more question… Do you think Facebook Home is that next “bright, new idea”?
No. Because it’s merely a distraction that most people will spend more time exiting out of then using.
Okay, I learned some things – mainly that the phone might have to be confiscated during homework time! Your thoughts?