It’s time for my monthly social media post!! Yay!!

Recently, I was on Facebook and stumbled across this meme on my timeline

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At first when I read it, I chuckled to myself because it rang true. I hit the like button and then share button to post it to my own timeline … but then I stopped.

Is Facebook really that bad??

Of all the social media sites, Facebook remains the most controversial and polarizing. To friend or not to friend. To share or not to share. Privacy settings, private messages, subscriptions … Oh my! I’ve seen friendships challenged and marriages ruined based on things sent and shared on Facebook. But I’ve also seen friendships re-established and love rekindled based on things sent and shared on Facebook .

So again I ask: Is Facebook really that bad??

No. It’s just different.

More than any other social media site, Facebook allows for the most sharing and expression of personal information. I am more selective about who I connect with on Facebook than any other social media site — because I know connecting on Facebook will likely give me access and insights into people I wouldn’t get anywhere else. And vice versa. If I don’t care to know about a person’s family, interests, quirky habits and proclivities, I do not friend them on Facebook. And if I don’t want them to know those same things about me, I do not friend them on Facebook.

Simple.

This goes double for co-workers and workplace friends. Being Facebook friends with people you work with not only exposes you to access and insights — but it also exposes you to liability. You cannot “un-see” something inappropriate or in violation of policy. You cannot “un-know” something dishonest or detrimental. If you fear those things with co-workers or workplace friends, becoming Facebook friends is definitely a bad, bad, bad idea!

However, if you feel the sentiments expressed in this meme about yourself and your Facebook friends … you should probably get off Facebook altogether. For a few days, few weeks, few months. Perhaps even permanently. Use the extra time you have to find some new friends. Or use the extra time to work on your social and social media skills. Because if you really believe the sentiments expressed in this meme, you are hanging out with the wrong people online.

Just sayin’ …