Tuesday, February 12, 2013

#FACEBOOK


Facebook, what has been a cup of tea, bed, breakfast and a perfect bedtime story is now being trending way peoples’ living. About 250 million monthly active users are reported to be using Facebook. The number goes on and on because of the easy availability of internet service and its standout features. Facebook is undoubtedly number 1 social networking site in the world. No matter children, youngsters, adults, politicians, professionals, officials or people from every walk of life are mesmerized by Facebook. Thanks to this lad Mark Zuckerberg, a graduate from Howard University for creating this fantastic thing. As a result, people round the globe are able to breakdown cross cultural, ethnic and racial barriers and enjoying this proactive social network.
Facebook has made people lot easier to connect with friends, family, co-workers, nearer, dearer, loved and missed ones. So it is sure that it has strengthenedour interpersonal relationship. Nobody is really introverted these days.Whether it is a celebration, event, functions, movement, marriage, tour, visit or ceremony, people are able to relish their greatest moments of life in their Facebook account. Everyone is well aware of recent happenings and developments in society, country and world. So, people have wider approach to knowledge and information. In addition, Facebook also works with other social networking sites, for example, LinkedIn, YouTube, twitter, personal websites and personal blogs. This has helped people to be linked with their desired persons, personalities, artists, actors, professionals and business. This is worth of stating that Facebook has helped people to be more socialized and increase their social horizons. More often it has become voice of voiceless. For example, CNN hero campaign for MrsAnuradhaKoirala of Maiti Nepal started in Facebook. As a result she received overwhelming support from everyone. Eventually, people round the globe recognized her heroism and were awarded as a CNN hero of the year. Same was the case for CNN Hero Puspa Basnet. Interestingly, both Barak Obama and Mitt Romney used Facebook a lot to boost their election campaign for president for The United States. They were found using Facebook as a tool to share news, thoughts, analysis, information, views and to get important feedback and response. Moreover, Facebook has also persuaded people to think about society, social benefit, and corporate social responsibility. “Say No to Drugs” campaign is really working well on Facebook. People appreciate the way The Himalayan Times (one of the leading English daily newspaper of Nepal) keep in touch with its readers with interesting Facebook Contest page – THTFoodSpies (www.facebook.com/THTFoodSpies)
On the other hand, Facebook is a boon for business. Whether, it is a business campaign, news update, advertisement, marketing, new product launching, winner announcing, Facebook voting, Facebook contest, getting response etcetera Facebook is arguably the most effective medium. Almost every business organizations have a Facebook page. This has helped people to cash in opportunities. For example Facebook can be associated with a job hunting site. This has saved time, cost and effort. Furthermore, business organizations are more likely to maintaincompetitive advantage and good customer relationship which is a recipe for success. This may indicate that organizations are being relatively effective and efficient because it was virtually impossible to think in yester years.
Recent development is that Media agencies, news groups, TV presenters, RJs and VJs are using Facebook as a tool of developing stories, news, analysis, and reports, taking  suggestions and feedback using their Facebook page. For this reason, International Medias like CNN, BBC and Aljazeera seem to have been more effective.
Unfortunately, Facebook has many drawbacks too. Misuse of Facebook is being problematic. People are using Facebook to destroy one’s personal and social life, image and reputations. Many actors, artists, politicians,performers, personalities and celebrities are victimized. Personal information, pictures and posts are misused to make biased and prejudiced verdicts. There are people who are seen using offensive and bombastic thoughts and comments. This is not helping anyone. It has been an easy way to stimulate chaos, support riots and violence and discrimination because everything can be controlled behind the curtain. Communal violence started in Gujarat, India due to Rioted posts on Facebook. Same was the case on Middle East and Arab uprising. Pakistan and Bangladesh were forced to band this site for religious concerns. Lately disrespectful and humiliating thoughts on Prophet Muhammad and Muslim community created chaos and unrest all around the world. What was thought as a boon for society also becomes instrument of destruction. Blackmailing, bullying, fraud, cheating and ragging is ever increasing.Apparently, it seems that people are misusing Facebook to hurt religious, ethnic and cultural sentiments. When it comes to raising nationalistic and political propagandas Facebook is more likely to be used as a weapon. Facebook is also seen used for criminal instincts. More Facebook related complaints have been recorded in Police. This makes us clear that Facebook is vulnerable to social crime. On top of that students are killing their valuable time by spending more time on Facebook. There is no point in getting addicted in virtual reality. Many organizations and institutions are forced to band Facebook in workplace because their employees are killing their productive time using Facebook. People are found to be unsecure and losing their privacy.
So, what should we do to keep these errors at bay? This is our responsibility to make a better society. We should really be discouraged to misuse Facebook. Of course headquarter of Facebook itself should be alert to minimize social hazards. Facebook has been making a lot of efforts to band offensive pages and individuals which is very impressive.  Everyone must be responsive towards individuals, society, social, cultural, ethical and moral norms and values. If we cannot help others we are not supposed to create any troubles.Otherwise, one of us could be the next one in trouble and it would be a huge price to pay. At last, if we can keep these errors at bay, Facebook is good thing to have - to learn and to have fun.

-         WERAZ GHIMIRE
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