Facebook Caution

Much has been written about social networking sites like Facebook in the blogosphere the last week or so. Charlotte at Waltzing Matilda had some thought provoking, personal reflections about the topic on her blog. I'd have to say, I'm with Charlotte, I much prefer blogs to social networking. Facebook is fun for quick takes and blurbs about life in real time, but my blog is where I feel most at home and where I can write and reflect on deeper things and with greater variety. Facebook is where I can tease, poke, and keep up with my Dad and brother and sister, but they also frequently stop by my blog and leave comments for me here, as well.

I enjoy my Facebook page and I have mostly enjoyed being contacted by old friends from high school and college. It has been incredibly interesting to read what they have been up to, but there has been a down side to these reconnections, too. A good family friend identified the crux of the issue this last weekend when we were talking about social networking. He pointed out that there may have been a real reason we have drifted and lost contact with these friends from the past. I have personally realized this when hearing from old friends and I have had to establish with these folks who I am and what I stand for. I even had to express my concern and distaste for a certain life path an old friend has found herself upon.

I would caution you, if you Facebook you should follow two very important guidelines, based upon my experience. First, be wary of who you accept as a "friend". People contacting you from the past may not have real friendship in mind. Many are networking and attempting to grow client bases and contacts for their "causes". There is nothing wrong with this, per se, but I'm not on Facebook to be solicited for money making schemes or to join every charitable cause known to man (in fact I'm not interested in the vast majority of the causes I've been asked to join). Secondly, be sure you put it out there who you really are and what you believe. I've had many of my newly contacted friends express surprise at my "changed" lifestyle since college, but for the most part they have been respectful and have even admired my dedication to family and my faith. Facebook can definitely be a place to evangelize and I'll not allow it to be a wasted opportunity.