Social Media Overload: Help!

Yahoo ^ | 4/20/11 | Tom Dunlap - PCWorld

[NormsRevenge]

Facebook, Twitter, and other social media networks have been dominating the news lately: President Obama launched his reelection campaign with an underwhelming Facebook app, we read a chilling report about "Facebook Depression," and multiple stories have tracked what Charlie Sheen or Miley Cyrus (who's back on Twitter!) is tweeting about.

But isn't Facebook and Twitter always in the news these days? The media's love affair with social media knows no bounds--and it's out of control, if you ask me. It feels as though our social media obsession has reached some kind of tipping point.

Am I alone in my disapprobation of self-absorbed social network users? How many times must I put up with Facebook preening, Twitter bragging, and LinkedIn requests for relationships with people I flat-out don't know?

Maybe it's time for a little digital detoxification in our so-called social life. I know what you're thinking: "If you don't like social networks, go buy a book." Maybe I will, but it's not that simple.

The role that social networks now play in our lives is so important that they can't be ignored indefinitely. They help us keep pace with our peers, network for jobs, and even remain socially active offline.

I'm no Back to the Pleistocene technophobe. I'm just advocating social-media life balance. In that spirit, let me explain why taking a break from your Facebook, Twitter, Digg, and StumbleUpon accounts might be a good idea. Then I'll offer some new rules for using each of these social media services, which you are welcome to take as seriously as you like.

[SIDENET]

I like Facebook.

It lets me see how fat my old schoolmates have become.

And yes, if you only post pics of your kids, with very few exceptions, that means you're obese.

ROFL.

[SoCal SoCon]

I agree. The MSM’s focus on Facebook and Twitter is just a part of the overall decline in journalistic quality.

[Persevero]

I neither Facebook nor tweet.

Subvert the dominant paradigm.

[bgill]

The role that social networks now play in our lives is so important that they can't be ignored indefinitely.

Sure it can. I don't FB or tweet or any of that other rubbish. There are lots of people who somehow manage to live without social networks.

[napscoordinator]

I like Facebook too. Although when I first set up my page about a year ago, I was on the page every second....lol. Now I go on every few days so it has become manageable. I can understand when people say they don’t want to join because it will suck up their time. That is true but only at the very beginning when it is new and exciting. After awhile it will be a tool that you will use but at a much less time frame.

[napscoordinator]

Sure it can. I don’t FB or tweet or any of that other rubbish. There are lots of people who somehow manage to live without social networks.

The problem is for how long. The Navy gives information on changes and other information on Facebook. Information that is difficult or not available to find if you don’t have a Facebook page. I believe that many companies will use Facebook for getting info out. Eventually you will have to join Facebook to make an appointment for your physical, DMV, dinner reservations etc. You can sit out for a while longer but soon you will HAVE to join. So suck it up and join today.....lol. Just Kidding, but I do believe it will be more and more part of our lives.