It began when I realized what online socializing was causing. I would have intimate conversations with some of my Facebook friends and feel that I had come to know them quite well. But whenever we would meet face to face, it was as though we’d never spoken before. Instead of a rousing conversation, meetings would consist of an awkward “Hello.” After conveying this to my peers, I discovered that many others experienced this strange situation as well.
Not long after this realization, I happened to read a book that had to do with social revolutions of the 1960s. It made me think of how back in those days everyone, including teenagers, had to get together in order to develop and maintain relationships. Because of the lack of technology that we have now, people had to physically interact and spend time with one another. A telephone call, at least, gives one the opportunity to hear another person’s voice. Now becoming someone’s “friend” is merely an action expressed through the press of a button.
My purpose for creating a Facebook account was to get used to presenting my artwork to others and to stay connected to my friends. It did no such thing. A small portion of my Facebook friends viewed my artwork and even fewer cared to chat. Facebook only became a continuous cycle of post this, like this, comment on this, repeat.
I’m certainly not saying that socializing has become extinct, yet how much we rely on technology today is alarming. Pew Research statistics say that almost two-thirds of teens admit that the Internet is a distraction. It is a temptation that keeps us within the boundaries of “add me on Facebook” or “just text me” instead of organizing get-togethers to strengthen relationships. I believe friendship is more than “liking” people’s photos or status updates. Friendship is taking time out of the day to call someone or spend time with them. To me, sitting behind a computer screen just doesn’t count.
I made the decision to boycott both my phone and Facebook. If anyone wanted to contact me it would have to be by house phone, email, or the good old-fashioned mail system.
After pondering the idea, I realized that it was not an option. I had scholarship opportunities on Facebook and my cell phone was necessary for emergencies. I could easily imagine what my parents would say. They’d ask me what I would do if I needed a ride or had to stay after school. I would ask them how they survived without cell phones back in the day. Then I thought that perhaps people have just adapted to the cell phone lifestyle, regardless of what decade they grew up in.
Later I discovered a quote by surrealist painter Salvador Dali: “Don’t bother about being modern. Unfortunately it is the one thing that, whatever you do, you cannot avoid.” I came to the conclusion that it is no use trying to completely disconnect myself from mainstream society. There will be instances that will obligate me to use technology, but I don’t need to become immersed it. The key is to make websites like Facebook tools, not habits. So if many people know that technology is distracting them from more important activities, then why are they allowing it to?
