The Faults of Facebook

Summary: A new study by Larry Rosen reveals that Facebook could cause physical, social, academic, and psychological problems for over-users. Some of these problems include, but are not limited to, carpel tunnel, sleep apnea, depression, narcissism, lower test scores, sexual promiscuity, cyberbullying, and a false sense of one’s self. On the other hand, there are some benefits to Facebook, such as interacting with friends and providing a good place for students to discover who they are.

Dr. Ablow’s analogical approach to the article seemed to linger more on the hyperbolic, making his arguments less believable for me. It seemed that he used fewer facts and just tried to drive the fact that Facebook is a horrible thing. I do agree that today’s society should limit the amount of online media usage.

I disagree with Rosen’s statement: “…it’s not the quality that’s important [to students], but the connection itself,” I would have to disagree with him. Many students are looking for connections with people, but knowing from personal experience, students long for quality friendships. However, I agree 100% with his statement that social media “could be a way to bring shy kids out of their shells.” I was very shy as a kid, even after I started attending Evangel. Facebook allow one’s self to be who he/she wants to be and interact how he/she would normally interact without the social pressures of real-life circumstances. In order for this persona to be healthy, however, the students must extend him/herself into the real world.

I tend to check Facebook while studying, which is common among most students according to the article. In fact, while reading the first article, I checked Facebook three times. I hope this doesn’t mean I’m going to do worse on my tests! I do believe that the Internet in general can be a large distraction from one’s studies, and it is a resolution of mine to use social media less frequently this semester.

Cyberbullying was never a problem for me, and I was “in” with the technology in middle and high school. I was slightly bullied throughout my school years, but it never continued to the online realm. I noticed that a few of my friends who were cyberbullied set themselves up for failure by allowing people to submit anonymous posts to their profiles or allowing people that bully them in real life to have access to their account. I do believe parents should monitor their child’s use of the Internet and set limits in order to prevent harmful things from happening, such as not allowing anonymous posts or requiring their child to block students who are giving their child problems.

I have 1300+ friends on Facebook. From middle school to the present, I have realized that not all of these people are my friends, but they are people who I would like to keep in touch with or keep for future networking reasons. I think part of the reason I have so many “friends” is because I have the Connectedness strength. I also have Harmony and Empathy, so when these strengths are mixed, I’m one caring, accepting guy that believes we are all connected in some way—which makes Facebook a great tool to utilize my strengths.


Ablow, Keith Dr. (2011, Aug 08). Facebook: public health danger. FoxNews.com, Retrieved from https://angel.evangel.edu/Angel/section/default.asp?id=62099

Hernandez, Daniela. (2011 Aug 06).  Too Much Facebook May Be Unhealthy for Kids. Los Angeles Times, Retrieved from https: 
https://angel.evangel.edu/Angel/section/default.asp?id=62099