[Muser]

I know...there have probably been a million posts about Facebook but I can't find the information I am looking for.

It sounds simple...if you don't like what's going on any "social media" then just stay away from it.

Right!!....but it's not that easy. It's the same thing here. I've seen a few squabbles now and then but do you have to let one irritation (or a few) drive you away from something you enjoy?

Facebook reminds me a lot of high-school. I wasn't real thrilled with my social life back then either. There just always seems to be that one person that spoils everything. I liked the "idea" of facebook in one aspect because I could socialize in small ways at my own pace. Being one that is not real outgoing...a bit reserved...I could connect bit by bit and joke with a few close friends and family.

But then there's the cross-overs. Even though my profile and pictures are locked down pretty tight I still end up seeing people and their remarks that I would rather not see. And sometimes family Ex-tensions get a kick out of posting unflattering pictures of us for their friends to poke fun of... Nice...really adult behavior.

So tell me....in your opinion is Facebook more harmful than helpful??

[RomanSunburn]

The only reason I keep my facebook is so that I can send people I'd rather not talk to messages instead of calling them (ie, my future mother in law). I've done a lot of harm to myself with facebook -- looking up other people's profiles and seeing how great they're doing in their lives while I'm still struggling; digging up past hurts from my relationship with my fiance (things we've moved on from, but when I'm in a self sabotaging mood I do stupid stuff...).

I mostly avoid it. Only go one once and a while, and I'm getting better with using the ignore button.

I have to say, it REALLY bothers me that my fiance has over 700 friends....

[AvidReader]

I myself hate Facebook and am not a member myself. My two seventh-grade daughters are, though -- my husband got them accounts over my strenuous objections.

Facebook seems to be a truly excellent vehicle for keeping in touch with family, but I think email can serve that purpose just as well in terms of sending photo and video attachments if one wishes.

I object to it on many levels, including the way old flames can contact you and that fact that I don't think children, including my own, belong on it. My shrink told me that the forthcoming DSM-V will have a diagnostic code for Facebook depression.

So I guess you can count me as one of the Facebook detractors!

[Muser]

Originally Posted by RomanSunburn

I have to say, it REALLY bothers me that my fiance has over 700 friends....

Is it actually possible to have 700 friends? I have a handful...and some have only limited access. I guess I'm not very "friend" friendly

[Subo]

Helpful, as long as you can be careful!

[RomanSunburn]

In fact, it is possible. He'll basically confirm anyone who friends him if he can think of how they met and whatnot. Sometimes he jokes about friending people just to annoy me, people like his cousin's friends that he's hung out with once or twice... THATS how you get to 700....

[Cnytroxy1973]

I find that I am very disenchanted with Facebook... It's hard for me w BPD to decipher how someone means to come across when they post comments..I find that the less I post the better off I am... Oh and I love the ppl from HS that want to be ur friend now on FB... but were total bullies back in the day....

[Sunna]

I don't have that kind of facebook experience. Though I hear that is certainly is for some, I can't even imagine it possible for me and how I use facebook. In fact friend and I were just discussing how facebook makes it really difficult to keep a conversation going. Whatever anyone may say, scrolls off and disappears under the mountain of updates, feeds, interesting articles. If someone posted something 5 hours ago it's as good as if it never happened.

For me facebook works like a huge chaotic information sieve that I plug into whenever it strikes my fancy and usually find something less boring than the msn or yahoo news. My "friends" are mostly news-type things, but of kind I actually want hear like NPR, or my local town happenings and updates which I wouldn't get ANYWHERE else. The other group of my "friends" are posters on topics I like. They find, dig up, repost articles on specific topics spanning more than one website, or feed. Sure, some of news things, like NPR have so much following it invariably include some hate-addicts, people who just look for half an excuse to rip someone to shreds. Well, I just refuse to get engaged in that, and on rare occasion I do, I find it an awesome opportunity to practice the Four Agreements and not take it personally. Other sources have more love inclined audience, and the people's response, even to controversial or not entirely thought-through expressions are kind.

There are certain other aspects of facebook that I find disturbing, but that's more fitting on a "can conspiracists be actually right on some things" forums.

[unaluna]

I defriended everybody last year when I got freaked out looking at bizarre photos first thing in the morning - my cousin may enjoy seeing her husband's smiling face when she wakes up - me, not so much! Plus just other weird stuff that I might enjoy at 6pm, but not 6am!

[Muser]

Thank you all for you thoughts and insights. This is something I continue to ponder.