The Facebook Era: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

The Facebook Era: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Let's think twice about what we are posting on Facebook and all other forms of social media.

4
The Facebook Era: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly
Independent

Facebook. We all have it. We all check it multiple times a day. I am one of these people who checks Facebook undeniably every time I have Wi-Fi access.

Not bragging by any means, but I have over 1,000 Facebook friends that I have collected over the life of my Facebook profile, circa 2009.

These “friends” (I use friends lightly as I haven’t talked to several for years) have accumulated through a variety of means: high school, college, work, travel, mission trips, etc.

Because of this large number of Facebook friends, there is a lot to look at on my news feed. And seeing all these items on my news feed comes with a price — lately, every time I have gone on Facebook and scrolled through my news feed, I have left my social media surfing feeling one of three things: sad, angry or jealous.

I’m sure plenty of other Facebook users have felt these same sentiments at some point of their time using Facebook, but I can’t help but feel things are getting worse. All I have sensed on Facebook for the past few months is negativity.

I know there are positive things on Facebook like such things as engagement announcements, wedding pictures, baby announcements, cute videos of a kitten and baby pictures, but being human, I have a tendency to focus only on the negative.

I am so tired of seeing people post about how rude someone treated them today at the supermarket or the news report about the most recent horrible thing that's happened in the world.

I’m not saying that world news isn't important, but I don’t need to read a headline about it every two scrolls on Facebook — it just puts me in a bad mood to see negative headlines on Facebook every other post.

But it’s not even things like Facebook rants and shared criminal and terrorist news reports; it’s things shared on Facebook that put other people’s opinions down. It seems like someone shares something about their political views or how they don’t like grilled cheese or something ridiculous like that, and another person feels the need to put that person down for their opinions.

And on that note, everyone has the right to share their opinions, but is it totally necessary to share ALL your opinions on Facebook — especially the negative ones?

Trust me, I do truly want to hear about your job promotion and your new baby, etc. — I really do, but is it possible that we keep it at that?

Is it possible that together, we can make this world a more positive place by starting with positivity on Facebook?

In my experience, social media has a powerful ability to change the opinions and ideas of people who interact with it. That being said, when positivity is shared on social media, positivity is therefore spread.

Trust me, I am no saint when it comes to avoiding sharing negative things on Facebook, but I am going to try to make what I share more positive.

I know there is no way that we can stop all the bad things from happening in the world, but maybe we can reconsider which of the bad things in the world, we are sharing on Facebook and every social media outlet for that matter.

We all hear what is going on in the world in the news, and we can find even more information about what’s going on by visiting news websites, but we don’t need to go on Facebook and read about the negativity in the world another 20 times over and over again.

To those who may say, “Well, you saying that we can’t share negative things on Facebook is going against freedom of speech,” I say go for it.

Share negative things if you would like, rant about your bad day or how the lady on the subway glared at you.

I’m simply asking for Facebook users to think twice about what they are posting on Facebook and decide if it is really worth making someone else’s day a little more negative to share the bad thing that happened to you or someone you know.

In the end, is it really going to make your bad day better to share it with the world? Probably not.

No one wants to go on Facebook day after day feeling their mood shifting towards negativity.

Again, do what you would like on Facebook, but I’m just saying maybe if we all think twice about spreading negativity on Facebook, maybe we could make the Facebook sphere a more positive place.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

13511
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

5912
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

4392
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

3869
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments