Has anyone noticed how status updates have become a forum for some extremely aggressive or depressing messages? In recent log ins, I realized that some of my friends have used this space to express things that have lead me to be greatly concerned for their well being!!!! Some messages are clearly written for certain people to read.... sometimes imbedded with cryptic inside jokes.... or flat out announcements made to embarrass others in a very public way... Some even go to the extreme of posting a new status message every few minutes.... sometimes Facebook or Myspace can't even keep up!!!!
It made me begin to evaluate my use of these social networking sites. Clearly, I enjoy blogging, so is that any different? At least my blog isn't the first thing you see... And, you have a choice whether you'd like to read it or not. Status updates are a quick way to catch up on your friends without heading to their profile! Instead, you are bombarded with messages that leave you stressed and worried for your friends, or just extremely uncomfortable! What ever happened to "X is great!" or "Y is happy!" or "Z is eating pizza!" I understand that we aren't always great, happy, or eating pizza, but if you aren't anything along those lines.....and feel the need to post it on the internet, I highly recommend starting a blog! That way, you can really get into dirty details with us!
Which brings me to another question about status and the internet. If you are in a relationship with someone, is it 100% necessary to have that status posted on your site? You see, I recently started dating someone. In my preferences, I had no mention of any relationship status whatsoever. Then, one day, I received the inevitable status invite to be "in a relationship with 'him' ". It seemed strange to me. I had already reached boyfriend/girlfriend-ness with him, but, I wasn't sure I needed everyone to know my business. However, no response to this invite could potentially worry him or lead him to believe I was not completely into the relationship! What was I to do? I tried to evaluate why I didn't want everyone to know my business. I realized people have better things to care about than my love life....
So the next time you feel compelled to post a status message, I urge you to consider posting something positive, or post nothing at all. And if you are having doubts about announcing your relationship status online, don't worry.... it will quickly become "yesterday's newsfeed". -M
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