The Truth about Facebook

Your teachers probably have mentioned the Time article explaining the negative impact Facebook can have on students. Making Myspace old news, Facebook has become the new major website very often visited and used by high school students. However, many adults feel that this time online is detrimental to a student's study habits and grades. A popular argument within the article is that active users on Facebook on average have a lower GPA than those who are not members at all.
The point is valid, sure. Even guests on the Oprah Winfrey show have admitted to being "sucked in" the world of tagging photos, updating statuses, posting wall comments, and much more. And why not? Trumping other social networking sites, Facebook offers instant connection with friends and family that is both efficient and gratifying. Nonetheless, this interactivity is popularly given a label: "addicting".
It’s almost unnecessary to mention that addiction is almost always associated with drugs. In one point of view, this article offers the message that Facebook use (for high schoolers) could lead to life (or academic) abuse. If that is the case, why wouldn’t teachers support Time Magazine on this stance? However, would quitting Facebook really improve your study habits and grades? Chances are, the teachers professing anti-Facebook do not have an account. Then how does one judge?
Being a Catholic, I offered to forsake any unnecessary internet during the liturgical season of Lent. This included Facebook, which I was then and still now am very active. Although my reasons were primarily religious, I was truly convinced that academic improvement would be a perk of my endeavor. However, within the 40 days I found little change in my studying and homework. The time I would have been on Facebook was spent on other means of distraction.
Any student’s tendency to procrastinate, the times of day he or she is usually am productive, and the order of his or her daily activities are all habituated qualities, with or without Facebook. I very soon realized that to make my Lenten sacrifice effective, a true shift in my character was also in need.
Although those who are easily sidetracked are simply are more likely to be diverted from work, it should be mentioned that Facebook does have qualities that make it a more formidable distraction. Whereas television entertainment follows a schedule, the entertainment in social networking is immediate and more convenient.
Nevertheless, Facebook is isn't nicotine. It is neither inherently addicting nor does it develop bad habits. Rather, the user creates the addiction and bad habits.