I'm terrified to get a Facebook?

[Liv96]

Long story short, I'm a bit of a loner, and this year (10th grade) decided to go into independent studies. Academically, it was great, but I lost all of my friends and my social life suffered because I'm very dysfunctional at keeping up relationships without having direct contact with someone. I think part of this has to do with the fact that I'm disconnected from social media. I've never had a Facebook, twitter, instagram, anything. Now that this year is over and I'll be a junior soon, I'd like to change all that. I recently saw an old friend in passing last week and she urged me to get a Facebook. I have another friend who's a senior and joked with me that "if you don't get a Facebook, your responsible for letting this relationship die". That pretty much did it for me, and now I feel like I have no choice but to get one

The problem is that my twin sister whom I'm very close to used to have a Facebook, but got rid of it because she had such a bad experience. She told me that Facebook is very addictive and stressful, and sucks you in. She told me it makes you feel bad, and is basically a correlation of narcissistic posts and selfies that make you feel bad about your own self image. She was pretty young when all of this happened though. And while I feel like this isn't likely to happen with me, you never know

Basically, what I'm worried about is the commitment and the stress of checking it. I also have no Facebook etiquette. Any advice on this issue would be greatly appreciated

[Jacob]

I have one and I'm on an online school and I love it! It lets me talk to my friends so I can at least make sure I have some social life still available. You should, honestly, get one if you're worried about keeping friendships. It helps with trying to talk to friends and what not. Try it..and if you don't like it...press that little delete button and its out of your life

[Justin]

You're over thinking this. Facebook is what you make it, and nothing more. The only things narcissistic are the people you have on your Facebook, as in people you ad as friends. You don't see all the BS other people post if you don't add them in the first place. Not to mention here are several ways to simply ignore people discreetly.

The only stress and/or commitment involved is that you place on yourself. It's a website just like something like YouTube. It isn't homework, you aren't obligated to do anything. It's there to communicate with friends, not random people. If that's what you're looking for, I'd suggest you Google a chat room.



Facebook isn't going to make friends for you, you'll have to do that yourself. Play a video game.

[BellaChica]

Hi,

I can relate to how you feel.

I got a Facebook about 3 years ago and ever since then I found that it was easier to connect with and keep track of my entire network and even reconnect with old friends from childhood.

I have deactivate my Facebook a few times because it was distracting me from doing my studying. I also closed it during my past break ups. I deactivated my four months ago for these reasons I have just described and have yet to reopen it because I guess I got tired of checking it. I also had a bad experience when I saw that the guy I was dating earlier this year, commenting on racy pictures of this hoe, which really hurt me.

However, I keep telling myself that I need to get back on Facebook because I feel like I am losing my connection to my friends and network and its easier than texting them.

My advice is to get a Facebook, but to not post very much if you want to keep your life private. Also, to not add people who you don't really talk to or care for on your friends list. You can also deactivate your Facebook like I did if you want a break from or want to stop using it.

Hope this helps!

[Cassidy]

You can just make one and not use it. I personally go on facebook only about once a week if that. I have heard many people argue that it is addictive but i have never had that problem it depends on the type of person you are and if you use your phone too much or know when to stop and the self image thing... Yeah there will be people and girls on there who want to makw you feel that way but again its if you let it get to you. Also facebook is a great way to keep in touch with friends and stuff... So i would say go for it good luck