Sadly, this is quite the literal definition of how facebook applies to college:
Facebook has without a doubt become a major media source. it started out as a way for college-aged people to keep in touch with each other, but it has recently become a source for so much more. According to Donna Bogatin’s blog, The Chief Revenue Officer of Facebook, Mike Murphy, says that 18-24 year olds use Facebook as one of their main media outlets and as an authoritative voice on “what is news, what is hip and cool, and what products to consume.” This basically replaces other media forms that do the same thing, like tv and magazines.
I’ve also noticed a great surge of 30+ year olds getting on Facebook. My dad, uncles, and older cousins are now on Facebook and it’s strange. When i was only in touch with my real friends (people my age) on Facebook, I didn’t have any concerns about monitoring who saw pictures of me drinking or at parties. But, now that my family has such an easy eye on my collegiate activities, it really makes me aware of what I’m allowing people to see about me on the Internet.
It seems that Facebook has turned into much more than a friend-to-friend communication tool and is now an important business/networking tool. This makes me wonder if I should make my Facebook page appear more professional, as if it might have something to do with a future job or career.
Of course, now that Facebook has opened up to everyone who wants one and not just college students, younger people are on it too. My little sister has a Facebook account, and I have the same worries about “being friends” with her that I do with my father, for the sheer responsibility of sheltering her.
The fact that so many older people are now on Facebook proves its impact. People’s desire to know what’s going on in other people’s lives makes them adapt to pop-cultural forms of mass communication.
Another major effect of Facebook is the fact that its had a huge influence on political activism among users. “Events” and “groups” help spread the word about things going on, and people can display their political beliefs among their personal information.
Ironically, as I was in the middle of writing this post, I took a little break and checked my Facebook account. Lo and behold, another one of my 30-something-year-old bosses has added me as a friend. I guess I should just accept that Facebook has changed from a silly Web site to goof around with my friends, to a major mass communications and business networking accessory.
media darling 