Social Networking or Confession rooms?

Xpre$$!ons...

In the times when Doordarshan was called the ‘idiot box’, it had many dedicated viewers. It discouraged out goers from what they once used to do -go out for whatever reason. Thereafter, the idiot box became more advanced. Then came the cable channels which made the same viewers even more idiotic. But there still existed some quality face to face rendezvous and outdoors. Until the ‘internet mania’ drove everybody crazy. It changed lifestyles. I am talking about Facebook, Twitter, Orkut and Bebo.

What are we talking about? Checking out what friends are up to in their lives or hooking on to the net for ‘abnormal hours’? It is this addiction that has locked our teenagers indoors. Lets face it…we all have been hearing tantrums in the families on how kids get glued to their chairs in front of their computers. A recent study conducted by a British Scientist reveals that long hours on the net may harm the brains of young people. So, are we ready to risk our health for it?

Social Networking sites can also be called ‘confession rooms’. Very recently, I was told by my friend how a teenager wrote against his mother on Facebook, as he was frustrated of her bad temper at home. Unfortunately, she also happened to be a member on Face book- she was pretty famous! Her reaction could become another confession though.

If mothers can earn such comments then what are we talking about? This reminds me of another such case my aunt narrated to me. A school teacher’s mobile number was published on Facebook writing, ‘I am available tonight’ by students who were fed up of her. I don’t have to write her reactions here, undoubtedly she must have got ‘ugly calls’ in the nights forcing her to change her number. Looks like the confession rooms also announce their verdict! One does not stop it by confessing, either the confession brings shame to the person or it concludes with a dangerous punishment- like that of the teacher’s.

The problem here is, we don’t know where to draw a line and the solution is, just a simple ‘logging off’ before we get addicted to it.