Never mind the perils of cyber-stalking, cyber-bullying and posting photos that could endanger your future job prospects: Facebook could be ruining your relationship and driving you toward compulsively jealous behavior.
Social psychologists from the University of Guelph in Canada queried college students who were in romantic relationships about their Facebook use. Their preliminary findings, described in the journal CyberPsychology & Behavior, suggest that rather than enhancing communication between romantic partners, Facebook use may be fueling wild flights of jealous investigation, as users in relationships perceive hints of potential infidelity and then scramble to find evidence of a partner’s unfaithful thoughts or behavior.
I’ve not joined Facebook because I’m not a “joiner” and because I’m rather suspicious of it. I’m not sure I want just anybody to find me. Also, it was either Facebook or Myspace that had my daugher in tears because she didn’t have as many “friends” as her roommate. I’m holding off joining until hearing more.
I use and enjoy Facebook. If there is as much jealousy in a relationship as indicated in this article it will not take Facebook to destroy it. I am a grandma and it is my way of keeping up on a day to day basis with my children and grandchildren. It is great to share photos. I, and my FB friends, also use it to offer prayer, encouragement and support. And yes, people can find you, but you don’t have to let them in. They have to ask and you are free to ignore their request without any explanation. Perhaps Facebook enhances good relationships and as for the bad ones …. well …. don’t make them friends!
Is anyone surprised at this? Anyone? Is there any doubt that the impersonal personal such as Facebook is a significant social evil, doing at last far more damage than good? Facebook is the veryh definition of ephemeral and deceptive. Larry