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Does Facebook mess up your social life?

post #1 of 41
Thread Starter 
I don't know if I'm a guy with an unusually large amount of secrets or something, or if I'm too reserved, but I've found Facebook almost useless because of the large amount of social conflicts it creates by allowing different friends to see the entirety of my social life. Anyone else have this problem?

For example, there are some friends I want to have a certain image of me (i.e. girls, co-workers) that conflicts with what I wanna tell another friend (i.e. a closer drinking buddy)... or if I've been on a couple dates with someone I don't want them to see what I wrote to another girl I'm interested in. Similarly, there are people from work on there and family members as well that are all capable of seeing what I post. The totality of all those people makes it almost impossible for me to write or comment on something, or post pictures, without being akward to someone else.

So I hardly ever use it except for PMs or brief polite remarks. Yet almost everyone else I know on there has like albums upon albums of photos and give all ranges of comments to dozens of friends every hour... they must have fairly innocent lives with nothing to hide...
post #2 of 41
I've stopped posting status updates. No need to clear up the mystery about me, and give people an excuse not to see me in person to catch up. Also, I think Facebook made my 5 year high school reunion redundant. My class didn't even bother planning one, which is a shame, since I've been living on the other side of the country this whole time.
post #3 of 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by Svenn View Post
I don't know if I'm a guy with an unusually large amount of secrets or something, or if I'm too reserved, but I've found Facebook almost useless because of the large amount of social conflicts it creates by allowing different friends to see the entirety of my social life. Anyone else have this problem?

For example, there are some friends I want to have a certain image of me (i.e. girls, co-workers) that conflicts with what I wanna tell another friend (i.e. a closer drinking buddy)... or if I've been on a couple dates with someone I don't want them to see what I wrote to another girl I'm interested in. Similarly, there are people from work on there and family members as well that are all capable of seeing what I post. The totality of all those people makes it almost impossible for me to write or comment on something, or post pictures, without being akward to someone else.

So I hardly ever use it except for PMs or brief polite remarks. Yet almost everyone else I know on there has like albums upon albums of photos and give all ranges of comments to dozens of friends every hour... they must have fairly innocent lives with nothing to hide...
Explains why I don't have one.
post #4 of 41
Quote:
Originally Posted by JayJay View Post
Explains why I don't have one.

+1. Don't want the wimmin to cross paths. I'll get with the social networking program when I'm married. However, I do feel like I miss out on some fun stuff/party invites without one.
post #5 of 41
You need to be selective about what you post online. You also need to be selective about who you have as "friends" on fb. If I don't want someone to see something, no big deal, I simply message or chat them.
post #6 of 41
You can control it to a certain extent. I don't really initiate wall-to-wall conversations if I can avoid it, rarely update my status, hide tagged photos+videos, etc. Basically, I keep it as barebones as possible, as I recognize it's inherent value as a networking tool, but share the reservations you guys have expressed.
post #7 of 41
Don't update my status at all. Only post links on friends' wall and keep some pics up of my travels of that were tagged of me.
post #8 of 41
i gave mine up after they allowed friends of friends to add you. I have no interest in keeping in touch with 99% of my high school class.....they need to fix the privacy again
post #9 of 41
I've actually found it makes me comparmentalize my friends less, as a result I've been "myself" more to freinds that I used to act a certain way around, it's actually helped our friendship a great deal, though I could see how it could go the other way.
post #10 of 41
It's really annoying. Strips you of almost all privacy. It and the leash/cellphone are really awful for the independent male.
post #11 of 41
Honestly, if it wasn't for Facebook/MySpace, I would never go to any parties at all.
post #12 of 41
I deactivated my account not too long ago. It definitely causes some friction.
post #13 of 41
I'm not very good at keeping up with people, without Facebook I'd have even more trouble.
post #14 of 41
Once a few old college chums found me, my squeaky-clean image has gotten rather tarnished. But what the hell: it was me then and it's me now. I haven't changed THAT much.
post #15 of 41
I wouldn't post anything that I wouldn't feel 100% comfortable with everyone knowing. And in a poly relationship - one main gf and two female lovers and open about it. Don't have any work colleagues as FB mates.
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