The New Addiction?
Kamia Sparrow
Issue date: 3/4/09 Section: The Pulse
Addiction is said to be the condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with something. If you believe this to be true, you may also be willing to believe that social networking websites, such as Facebook and MySpace, have become popular communal obsessions. Freshman Megan Bernard said "…technology is so big in our generation it seems natural to socialize online."
But are these sites addictive to particular individuals or is it possible for anyone to fall victim to the luster of online life? Which site holds the most power? While many students have either abandoned MySpace entirely, saying they check their accounts "rarely" or "never wanted one", many others have adopted Facebook as their new cyber home. Junior Antonio Mancuso said "Facebook is connected to more college students so it is more important." Freshman Francis Oyem added that Facebook has become the more popular medium because it is "…easier to use." Junior Diane Yeboah also added, "Facebook is important to me…" But does importance equal addiction? Senior Brittney Perry stated "…I do feel those who do not have a real social life get addicted."
Is Perry's statement a campus-wide sentiment or simply the opinion of one of Frostburg's more popular students? Many may be under the assumption that those who hold elevated rank in the collegiate social hierarchy have less need for a site that aids in initiating social interaction. After all, it might be fair to assume that students who have a hand in setting the social trends would have minimal interest in taking part in a site that simply follows trends that have already been set. However, Sophomore Cortney Coleman described Facebook as "very important", stating that she checks her account "at least 10 times a day." Junior basketball star Brandon Gilliam agreed, admitting that he checks his account "…as often as possible, in class, in the room, library, bus, car, home everywhere".
Perry raised an interesting point. On the surface, it would seem that individuals with limited social abilities were more likely to drift toward a site that allowed easy conversation with no real social consequence. Sophomore Dagmaui Alemayehu confessed, "…I did meet my ex through Facebook." It might be even be fair to assume that those with very little acquaintances are more susceptible to becoming addicted to a site that allows you to make lots of "friends" in short spans of time. "When I was first in college it help[ed] me make friends…" said junior Stanley Epps. It might be an even more likely assumption that those who are afraid of the negative outcomes of social interfacing, such as rejection or being mocked by peers for not fitting social norms, might thrive on a site that limits those pitfalls. Mr. Gilliam admitted to talking to girls online for fear of rejection during face to face interaction as a result of his Yonkers, New York upbringing, saying, "The girls are cold there."
Junior football player Chindy Agugua stated, "…I don't think it's an addiction, but it is a better way to communicate. The visual effect plays a big part." But many students, such as Kayla Peters, admitted to their Facebook addiction. Kayla said, "…I always want to know who's doing what and who's connected to me. I want to check it right now!" Senior Chevon Pinnock added this sentiment, "Yes, I'm addicted to it, I feel like a celebrity and the network is paparazzi."
But are these sites addictive to particular individuals or is it possible for anyone to fall victim to the luster of online life? Which site holds the most power? While many students have either abandoned MySpace entirely, saying they check their accounts "rarely" or "never wanted one", many others have adopted Facebook as their new cyber home. Junior Antonio Mancuso said "Facebook is connected to more college students so it is more important." Freshman Francis Oyem added that Facebook has become the more popular medium because it is "…easier to use." Junior Diane Yeboah also added, "Facebook is important to me…" But does importance equal addiction? Senior Brittney Perry stated "…I do feel those who do not have a real social life get addicted."
Is Perry's statement a campus-wide sentiment or simply the opinion of one of Frostburg's more popular students? Many may be under the assumption that those who hold elevated rank in the collegiate social hierarchy have less need for a site that aids in initiating social interaction. After all, it might be fair to assume that students who have a hand in setting the social trends would have minimal interest in taking part in a site that simply follows trends that have already been set. However, Sophomore Cortney Coleman described Facebook as "very important", stating that she checks her account "at least 10 times a day." Junior basketball star Brandon Gilliam agreed, admitting that he checks his account "…as often as possible, in class, in the room, library, bus, car, home everywhere".
Perry raised an interesting point. On the surface, it would seem that individuals with limited social abilities were more likely to drift toward a site that allowed easy conversation with no real social consequence. Sophomore Dagmaui Alemayehu confessed, "…I did meet my ex through Facebook." It might be even be fair to assume that those with very little acquaintances are more susceptible to becoming addicted to a site that allows you to make lots of "friends" in short spans of time. "When I was first in college it help[ed] me make friends…" said junior Stanley Epps. It might be an even more likely assumption that those who are afraid of the negative outcomes of social interfacing, such as rejection or being mocked by peers for not fitting social norms, might thrive on a site that limits those pitfalls. Mr. Gilliam admitted to talking to girls online for fear of rejection during face to face interaction as a result of his Yonkers, New York upbringing, saying, "The girls are cold there."
Junior football player Chindy Agugua stated, "…I don't think it's an addiction, but it is a better way to communicate. The visual effect plays a big part." But many students, such as Kayla Peters, admitted to their Facebook addiction. Kayla said, "…I always want to know who's doing what and who's connected to me. I want to check it right now!" Senior Chevon Pinnock added this sentiment, "Yes, I'm addicted to it, I feel like a celebrity and the network is paparazzi."
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