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How the quality of adult relationships is affected by ‘Facebook’ a social networking site

Introduction

There are many places where one can choose to go to, so that they can observe things, which interest them. Communication is an essential aspect in life and without it, life cannot function well. Lately, most people have been taken over by social websites for interaction, such as twitter and facebook. Adults have not been left behind as they are using it to establish and form relationships. The latter is mostly used by adults who want to find love and those wanting to expand their businesses and careers.

The locations, which I chose, were starbucks, a friend’s house and ‘the spot’ which is hookah lounge. This are places where many people go to and as well as them being conducive for facebooking.

Day 1-Starbucks

It is on the 12th day of October, in the year 2011, that I set out to go and observe the effects that Facebook has had on the adult population. According to research, over eighty percent of American adults consume coffee and Starbucks is where they obtain their favorite brew. At around seven thirty, I set out to star bucks, which is located at the city center. It is strategically positioned and this means that many adults on their way to work have to pass by. Currently, facebook is the most popular social site in the world and it attracts even adults, who would be busy with other things. Starbucks is especially full since it is a cold morning and everyone is in dire need of coffee, which has been freshly brewed.

Upon entering starbucks, the smell of coffee is eminent and people are lined up as they wait to be served. Others are seated as they sip on their favorite brand of coffee. For the second time in a different setting, I notice that people are on Facebook. I see a familiar face and it is my friend and she has come to get coffee, before going to work. Upon seeing her Blackberry, I notice that she is on facebook. She tells me that it is through the social networks that she keeps in touch with her other friends. This is because she hardly ever finds time to see them physically. Facebook has taken over peoples’ lives and it is controlling how they communicate.

Day 1- Friends house

Later on, during the day, at two in the afternoon, I head to my friends house, in order to use her laptop for my assignment. Upon arriving, there is blaring hip-hop music and my friend greets me as she welcomes me into her study area. I notice that most of her attention is on the mobile phone that she is using. While we talk, she is constantly communicating with people and I assume that she is texting. As I sit and do my work using her laptop, she laughs out loudly and tells me about the comment made by her friend on facebook.

Yet another incident whereby, people are communicating through facebook is presented before me. She tells me that she finds it hard to call her friends as it is expensive, and she is used to the social website. From her reaction, it seems that facebook is extremely vital to her and prefers it, than having physical contact with other people. As she carries on with her duties around the house, I notice that she is constantly multitasking because her phone is always held by her. I over hear her talking to her mother who is scolding her for not being attentive and diligent in her duties. Furthermore, her mother blames it on her obsession with facebook. These observations are becoming extremely common in the two scenes, which I have visited.

Day 2- Hookah lounge ‘The spot’

The following day I go to the hookah lounge at five in the evening. This is the time when there are many people, who have just come from work and want to get a drink. The crowd here is mostly young adults and they are seated in small groups, as they talk about their daily experiences in life. The background music is soothing and this creates a conducive atmosphere for some love birds seated at the corner of the lounge.

Despite being on date, a certain couple is often interrupted as the male, keeps on checking his phone. From the gestures he is making, he seems to be irritating his date but he does not seem to notice this. After a few minutes, the female leaves, and the male does not seem bothered. Relationships are being destroyed by facebook and this issue should be addressed.

Day 2- Starbucks

I choose to go back to starbucks at seven in the evening, as this time is helpful for further observation. People who do not take alcohol and prefer a calmer environment choose to go to starbucks. I seat next to a young man who is working on his laptop. It seems that he is busy working on a project, but after a closer look, he is on facebook chatting. On a normal evening, the young man could be with his friends or family, but he chooses to sit alone and chat. I think that this is extremely unhealthy and unsocial.

I then head out to go home and cannot avoid seeing as people leave their places of work and most of them are busy with their phones. The latter range from I -phones, to Blackberries and even other brands, which are not known. There is noise coming from almost every direction, such as the hooting taxis, street vendors and the people who are catching after their work places. Constant use of mobile phones is the most unique thing taking place. It seems that the mobile phone is the most common form of communication in this generation.

Conclusion

According to what I have observed, relationships, which adults have, are becoming virtual. Mobile phones are not being used for traditional communication, but rather for the purpose of facebook communication. The number of adults who are in facebook is alarming and this might cause problems in the future. It is vital that people are made aware about the negative impacts of using facebook excessively. Relationships are being destroyed by facebook and its users do not seem to notice this. If given another chance, I would like to try this observation in another setting such as a school, hospital or an office. I think the results will be the same, because so long one has access to the internet, they cannot resist from using facebook. I would like to know if people are aware that they are obsessed with facebook, which has taken over their lives.