Facebook

If we are going to talk about the information technology development, of course we can’t let Facebook out of topic. Facebook is the world’s most popular social networking website, it makes it easy for us to connect with everyone in the world, including our family, friends, colleagues and even strangers online. Yes, ONLINE, that means we can keep in touch to everyone anytime and anywhere if they got the Facebook account and they want to build a connection with you. Other than that, it allows registered users to create profiles, upload photos, file and videos, send messages, and share anything you want with everyone.

Facebook was invented by Harvard computer science student Mark Zuckerberg, along with his classmates Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. Before Facebook, Zuckerberg had already developed a number of social networking websites for fellow students, including Coursematch, which allow users to view people taking their degree, and Facemash, where you could rate people’s attractiveness. 

In February 2004, Zuckerberg launched “The Facebook”, which name was taken from the sheets of paper distributed to freshmen, profiling students and staff. The website was initially limited by the founders to Harvard students, but was expanded to other colleges in the Boston area, the Ivy League, and gradually most universities in Canada and the United States, corporations, and by September 2006 the network was extended beyond educational institutions to anyone with a registered email address.  

Well, that’s a bit of anything you have to know about Facebook in general, now let’s talk about Facebook’s contribution to the society of the third world nation, especially Indonesia. In Indonesia, the Facebook influence can be clearly seen across the nation. Almost everyone have one or more Facebook accounts belong to them. They use Facebook either for a social purpose, company interest, searching for information, products, playing games, and other purpose.

The advantage that Facebook managed to bring to this country is that it can connect everyone without mentioning any geographical boundaries which is the main problem, because Indonesia has uneven terrain and it consist of almost 1000 separated islands. So, Facebook really helps connecting the society. Other advantage that Facebook gives to the society are:

1.    Sharing Of Information

The website allows us to share with others what you desire to share, ask public opinion, ask question etc. You can share your pictures, videos and what you have been up to with you.

2.    Business Promotion

Through Facebook Ads and Fans page you can advertise your business. Facebook offers a very customizable ads placement service, which is also very easy to use and cost effective.

3.    Entertainment

Facebook provides tons of gaming and other applications. Some people open Facebook only to play games.

4.    Boredom killer

Facebook is a boredom killer, specially for students during vacations and even elderly people who are retired from their job.

Beside the advantages, Facebook also has some disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages are:

1.    Less socialization with users surrounding

People who use Facebook often become addicted to use it. This can make people have a less socialization with users surrounding. In some cases, people can become a ‘Hikikomori’(a Japanese term to refer to the phenomenon of reclusive adolescents or adults who withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement).

2.    Less time to study

The addicted users can’t live a single day without logging in to Facebook, so it really gives an impact to their study time, work time, etc.

3.    Personal Information theft

Many people put their personal information inside their Facebook, even about where they live, their family, photos, videos, etc. This can give away access to get your personal information and make a cyber-crime under your name.

4.    Cyber fraud

Swindler can easily put their false advertisement on Facebook, so they can commit fraud at ease.

After all the explanation above, if you’re thinking about joining Facebook, or if you already have one, remember to use it wisely. Facebook gives so much advantage for their users, but it also has disadvantages that can be triggered depend on how the user use their Facebook.

Name                  : Hans Chandra
Lecturer Name   : Aditya Pratomo
College               : Surya University

Reference:
http://tnvrstar.hubpages.com/hub/The-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-using-Facebook
http://inventors.about.com/od/fstartinventions/a/Facebook.htm