Myspace has come and gone, and now the new fad is Facebook. What’s the main draw to Facebook? Why is it so easy to spend hours on end flipping though different applications and friend’s pages? Who really knows why Facebook is so addicting? The answer is people want to be social.
Any time that I am on or near my computer, my Facebook page is pulled up. Sometimes I have my Facebook open and don’t even realize it. I know I’m not the only Facebook addict, because I know a few people who do the same thing. The draw to Facebook for me is purely social. If I’m on Facebook, people know that I am available to talk. Status messages let me express myself in a way that others can see, if its my mood, a funny saying, or lyrics to a favorite song. The whole point of Facebook seems to be to find friends, keep in touch, and keep updated on current ongoings between friends. Aside from the social aspect, there are many games, activities, and applications for people to play with for entertainment. A popular application is Bumper Sticker, where friends can send funny pictures to each other. There really is no point to this application but it gives people something to do when they’re bored. There are classic games such as Scrabble, Tetris, and Jetman in which friends can compete against each other for the top score.
But what makes Facebook so much greater than Myspace? Facebook has original ideas. Myspace is just copying things that Facebook has because they are realizing how well Facebook is doing. Facebook is also more entertaining. Until recently, Myspace didn’t have games, or applications, or even status messages. Facebook seems more social. Myspace is “all about me” which is great if you want to show yourself off, but more people are on Facebook to add a new social aspect to their life and actually talk to friends rather than brag about themselves. More people talk to each other on Facebook than they do on Myspace. Most people find that Facebook is a more mature version of Myspace. There is less drama on Facebook because I know a few people who have come to Facebook to get away from the Myspace drama. (I’ve never understood what creates Myspace drama anyway.) Sure, Facebook may be a bit plainer, but it is user friendly and seemingly safer than Myspace. Some may beg to differ, but this is what I, personally, have found.
All this sounds great, but some people will argue that Facebook is an easy way to stalk people. But honestly, why would you add someone as a friend if you didn’t want them to know how you were feeling at a particular moment, or if you didn’t want them to know when you broke up with your boyfriend/girlfriend? Why would you add someone if you didn’t want them to read your profile, or see who you are friends with? Why would you add someone if you didn’t want them to be able to read your Wall posts or see your Bumper Stickers? Use street smarts because the common answers to the above questions would be: “You wouldn’t.” A profile is personal, and you shouldn’t put something in it that you wouldn’t want just a classmate to see.
Honestly, more people have Facebook than Myspace now days anyway. People who don’t have Facebook are really missing out on a new social key to our generation. But what makes it so popular might never be fully understood.
