A Lesson on Facebook Etiquette
Some of my friends talked me into joining Facebook a couple of months ago. I have to admit, it has been fun to reconnect with old friends. I've had a lot of fun with the little quizzes, posting old pictures, and chatting with friends all the way from elementary school.
However, I am often turned off by some of the etiquette of certain members. Facebook has a feature called "status updates," which allows users to inform their friends of their current whereabouts, actions, or thoughts. It is not however, a user's opportunity to discuss personal information that they would not want otherwise posted all over the internet. Did they forget that everyone in their Friends' List, sometimes hundreds of people, can read their status? Here are some examples of some status updates that I have actually read, that I would like to file in the category of "Too Much Information."
... is 1cm, 20%, less than 3 weeks... hooray!
Yikes. Although I am very excited for her and happy about her upcoming delivery, I really don't want to know how much she has dilated. It brings a picture of her cervix to my mind, and that's not a pleasant thought. No offense.
... spent today in the emergency room with daughter...blood in underwear and urine and waiting for her culture.
Again, although I sympathize with a worried mother of a little girl, that is a lot of information. Perhaps she could've stopped at "emergency room with daughter" and then asked us all for prayers? Just a thought.
... just had a fight with the wife. It's gonna be a long weekend.
Is that supposed to be funny? Because posting your marital issues on the web is the number one way to multiply them. And why did he think we all wanted to know this?
Get the point? IT'S TOO MUCH INFORMATION!
Luckily, there's a website with some funny, clever, and interesting status updates to cancel this trend out. I often look at it for a quick laugh, or even to steal an idea when I can't think of my own (I admit it)! Just remember: with Facebook status updates, less is more. If we need any more information, we'll shoot you an email.
6 comments:
just blog surfing and found yours. this post is too true!! :)
We signed up a couple months ago too. We were addicted for about 2 weeks before the newness wore off.
Now I only check it when I have a new rash to tell people about.
We have a friend who wants us to start. I was hesitant before, but now.....
Seems like one more place to take time I don't have.
Just another example of TMI: too much information from self-centered people that think we care about their lives.
I totally agree with you. Sometimes I think I was better off knowing less information about my facebook friends.
Just saw another trend with the Facebook status: BRAGGING!! Ugh!
(Name) has super-cute kids!
(Name) was reading with her preschooler today! She is getting really great at her letter recognition!
(Name) is so proud of her son for winning his lacrosse game!
Hey, guess what? That's called BRAGGING, not a status update!!
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