My first date with Facebook

Social networking sites have become a phenomenon with teens since websites like Facebook came online — and having a presence on them has become a must for most teenagers. Well, except me. Until now.

I recently got my Facebook account — after choosing not to have one for years — because it was the only way I could access one of my teacher’s notes that she began posting online. Still, my decision to do so wasn’t an easy one: I was well aware of the consequences of overuse. I have friends who are obsessed with updating their status. I also know friends who have been cyber-bullied. I didn’t want to become a victim of the social network.

So I talked it over with my parents, and together we decided that if I used good judgment, Facebook would help me stay in the loop.

I created my account, and because I was just about the last person in my school to be on Facebook, the deluge began.

I was bombarded with friend requests. As I scanned the page, I noticed that half of the people were mere acquaintances. Some were just kids who went to my school, though we shared none of the same classes. One of my friends even teased, “OMG, you actually exist!”

To add to my headache, many people were hiding behind various pseudonyms and monikers (obviously, “Harvard Lightning” and “CeeJ” aren’t actual names). The anonymity of identities give teenagers the liberty to fantasize about the perfect person. Still, it is particularly confusing — and dangerous. Screening through friend requests was time-consuming. After an hour, I was still filtering requests. Much care is needed in order to connect with the right people, not those with villainous motives.

If I thought “friending” people was rocket science, I was faced with a whole new challenge when I began to explore the site further. All users have their own profile, which they can edit to express their likes, dislikes, and even personal information. As I skimmed the profiles of my friends, I learned that Facebook was like a sounding board. My friends continuously posted random quotes, complaints, and exclamations on their profile “wall.” Some were nearly as trivial as “[name] flop like a fish,” and “why am I the fish?” I couldn’t help but cringe at the pure stupidity of it.

Still, I found that Facebook had practical benefits, despite my initial shock. For one, the site allows students to discuss class lessons and homework. I found a group of students from my house with whom I could discuss math homework and the discussions were mostly productive. Rather than just posting the answer, some students explained the solutions.

Facebook also provides an outlet for students to collaborate on group projects. Passing around documents and discussing how to organize the work is much easier over the Internet. Messaging one another makes each exchange more informative and resourceful.

Facebook makes it much easier to plan events. I’ve learned that hosting large events is an arduous chore. Making individual phone calls leaves you without a voice, and mass e-mails often go unread. However, discussing details for a get-together is more convenient on Facebook. RVSPs are built into the system, so no one has to pull teeth to get a response. This is a great feature for teenagers, because getting out and about is a big part of our lives.

Overall, I would say that having self-control is the key to utilizing Facebook to its potential without sacrificing time and safety. Keep a private account free from personal information and connect with people you actually know. Join class groups to understand lessons and homework. Ignore any rude and pointless comments. And don’t be afraid to let your parent being involved in your online life.

Even after realizing the benefits of Facebook, I still believe that it is not the center of our lives! What’s wrong with face-to-face communication? Our society lacks many real-life experiences because technology is so deeply ingrained in our world. An instant message will never have the same emotional or memorable capacity as a direct conversation or even a hand-written letter. Real life is on the line, but not online!

Aglaia Ho is a 16-year-old student from Queens who enjoys writing. Her work has been published in Creative Kids, Skipping Stones, Daily News-Children’s Pressline, and The State of the Wild.

Relevant Directory Listings

See More

Friends Academy Summer Camps

<div>Our programs offer engaging and hands-on activities that give children the opportunity to learn, socialize and have lots of fun!</div> <p>The Explorers Program (Age 3 – Rising Grade 2) includes theme-based activities in addition to daily sports, swim sessions, and two weekly specialty classes. Our specialty classes include learning science, practicing gymnastics, fireless cooking, and more.</p> <p>The Trailblazer Program (Rising Grades 3-8) allows children the opportunity to develop new interests by selecting two different specialty programs of choice each week in addition to campus-wide activities and recreational swim sessions. Specialty classes include cooking, sports, app building, dance, chess, art and much more!</p>

Saf-T-Swim

<p>For over 35 years, Saf-T-Swim Swim School has been teaching lifesaving swimming skills throughout Nassau County, Suffolk County, and now Little Neck. The school is proud to be Long Island's #1 swim school and a leader in water safety education. With swim programs for infants as young as 4 months, beginners, and advanced swimmers, Saf-T-Swim offers swimming programs for every age and skill level. Discover why generations of Long Islanders have trusted Saf-T-Swim time and time again with equipping their little ones the essential skill of swimming.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Snapology

<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Get ready for the best summer ever! Snapology uses LEGO® bricks, K’Nex, and technology to teach children about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math (STEAM) - . Your kids can participate in camps and activities designed to build confidence and make learning fun.  While the kids are having fun with familiar themes, toys, laptops and iPads, we sneak in the learning! </span></div> </blockquote> <div> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">WHAT MAKES OUR CAMP UNIQUE?</span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Build Confidence with Hands-On Learning</span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Snapology offers a variety of programs designed to reinforce core competencies and curricula being taught at each grade level. Our programs can be customized based on the # of children, age of children, time allotment and/or other special requirements. We adapt to your goals and objectives.</span></div> </blockquote> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Social Skill Development</span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Snapology’s flexible curriculum allows teachers to adapt to the needs of each unique group of students while allowing children to progress and explore at their own pace. The curriculum is designed to benefit all students - gifted, traditional, and non-typical learners.</span></div> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Certified Educators</span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">All Snapology Teachers hold current Teaching Certifications and promote the creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while educating students on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math).</span></div> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Small Groups</span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">1:6 teacher to student ratio. Smaller intentional camps for more engagement and personalized experiences </span></div> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> </div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Updates via Class Dojo</span></div> </blockquote> <blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="gmail_default"> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">During camp days, Class Dojo is used to update caregivers on how their child is adapting throughout the day. Message the camp leaders directly and request updates, photos, and videos, accordingly!</span></div> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div> <div><span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Demand for small format camps is high and capacity is limited so don't delay. Enroll your child today!</span></div> </div> </blockquote> </blockquote>