Facebook, a social networking phenomenon, was created in February 2004. Almost six years later it has 500 million active users, according to Facebook.com
On any given day, 50 percent of active users sign on, and people spend more than 700 billion minutes logged in, according to Facebook.com
“I never sign off,” Liz Fernandez, a pre-nursing student said. Fernandez is one of the 250 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices. People who use Facebook on their mobile devices are twice as active on Facebook as non-mobile users, according to Facebook.com. Fernandez openly admits that Facebook mobile has been a negative influence on her schoolwork.
“I get on Facebook instead of doing homework, or if I’m bored in class I’ll sign on Facebook instead of paying attention. Facebook is better entertainment,” Fernandez said.
Amaha Sellassie, who double majors in supply chain management and logistics and sociology, agreed Facebook was active in the classroom.
“The girl beside me in one of my classes spends the entire class on Facebook. She insists she can be on Facebook while in class, yet she fails every test. She just does not get it,” Sellassie said. “Just the thought is inconceivable, yet teachers tolerate it too, so that’s part of the problem.”
However, Donnie Daniels, an HVAC engineering major, said he never checks his Facebook at school.
“I only sign on at home, maybe two times a week,” Daniels said. “Maybe I’m old school, or just can’t keep up. But I’m here to earn my degree, not socialize on a website.”
Students agreed that connection to others was a use of Facebook.
“A good way to connect to people, like someone in Africa, it’s easier than getting a calling card,” Sellassie said.
About 70 percent of Facebook users are outside of the United States. In fact, Facebook accounts for 30 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, photo albums, events, notes, etc.) that is shared each month.
Fernandez used Facebook to invite more than 100 people to her high school graduation party.
“Success was great, and it was eco-friendly,” she said.
The average user is connected to 80 community pages, groups, or events and creates 90 pieces of content each month, according to Facebook.com.
Daniels said he utilizes Facebook for keeping up with his Mason meetings and even shared the story of reconnecting with a high school sweetheart.
“I ran into my high school sweetheart last year at a pizza place, she asked me if I had it. I decided then I needed it. We are now engaged, all thanks to Facebook,” Daniels said.