A BOON OR A BANE?Presentation by:

TINA OLYAI

Director, Little Angels High School, Gwalior

Some 200 years ago a

Messenger of

God appeared in Iran who

was called the Bab. The Babforetold His

followers that a new era is striving to

appear – an era of light.

He said that even a small

child of that age will surpass the knowledge of

the wisest scholars of the

old age and everything

they would want to know

will be at their fingertips!

When we watch a teenager

sitting with a desktop or

laptop and opening

countless ‘windows’ of

information-sharing with a

stroke of his or her fingers,

we marvel how true the Bab

was! Today a child sitting in

New Delhi can instantly

connect and know

everything about

Washington. Time has gone

when one had to pass by

horrible jungles and wade

through fierce rivers to

reach another corner of the

world in an exhaustible

journey of several months.

Now .... literally ... with a wink of an eye, we can have a

virtual meeting with several like-minded people, share

their photos and videos, chat with them, feel their

emotions and convey our feelings, have weather forecasts, know what food items are savoured in that

corner, show them our favourite things, and be part of a

fast growing social community of friends.

The most

popular networking site

Facebook is among the most popular and a totally free social networking site

where people can connect to each other, convey emotions, make friendship, share

interests and create a network. In other words, it is a commune of ‘online friends’

where they can have interactive sessions and face-to-face conversation.

On Facebook,

users can create

profiles with

photos, lists of

personal interests, contact information

and other personal

information.

Communicating with friends and

other users can be

done through

private or public

messages or a chat feature.

Users can also create and join interest groups and "like pages" some of which are

maintained by organizations as a means of

advertising.

In addition, Facebook has a number of

other features including the Wall, a space

on every user's profile page that allows

friends to post messages for the user to

see; Pokes, which allows users to send a

virtual "poke" to each other (a notification

then tells a user that they have been

poked); Photos, where users can upload

albums and photos; and Status, which

allows users to inform their friends of their

whereabouts and actions. Depending on

privacy settings, anyone who can see a

user's profile can also view that user's

Wall. In July 2007, Facebook began

allowing users to post attachments to the

Wall. Previously, the Wall was limited to

textual contents only.

An imitated name with an innovative

idea ..

Originally, the name FACEBOOK was

popularly used for an introductory book

disseminated to new college students in

the U.S. so that they know each other.

The idea was picked up by Mark

Zuckerberg who, along with his three

colleagues, started the Facebook, Inc.

in February 2004. The website's

membership was initially limited to

Harvard students, but was expanded to

other colleges in the course of time and

now any child above 13 can be its

member.

The popularity of Facebook

can be measured by the

fact that it currently has

over 500 million active

users.

Mark Zuckerberg

There is much controversy

about the Facebook.

This presentation intends

to investigate if FACEBOOK

is a bane or boon.

Everything can be put to good use as well as bad use. Even a clock that is wrong, tells

right time at least once in 24 hours. The purpose of this presentation is to weigh the pros and cons of using Facebook especially by children and youths.

Facebook has a positive aspect. It can be used by clients or users to unite with networks in any place - office, school, university, organizations, etc. -- to hook up and act together with other

community. Citizens or people can also append associates and send them messages, and update

their personal profile to notify friends about themselves. Such information, if used properly,

can be useful at times and may save a lot of time and energy than using other methods of

communication.

In fact, Facebook has created a

new generation, often referred to as Generation F. This generation

is living in a ‘virtual’ world and

does not need to gather at a

place and feel personal presence

of friends or talk to them in the real way. They believe that online

networking allows ideas to be

considered among peers with

greater speed in contrast to

traditional methods of personal meetings.

While this approach for making new

acquaintances and maintaining existing contacts

is really convenient, we must know that human

relationship thrives on “real” rapports and not just

on “virtual” meetings. Man is not a machine but a

pulsating heart that needs real and genuine

relationships. Too much of everything is bad.

Recently, we read about the two daughters of

Obama, the President of America. It was said

that both the sisters rarely have any face-to-face

dialogue. Even if they are sitting in the same

room, they convey their thoughts to each other

through their laptop.

Once Mahatma Gandhi had told that

“too much use of machine, makes a

man machine, too”. The story of Obama’s daughters and the reality of the

new Facebook Generation testify to this

Gandhian truth.

The sad point associated with this Generation F is that they are living in a trance of

error ... exactly like those people who are sunk in the intoxication of a fatal drug and take the virtual things as real. They walk and talk and think they are acting normal but they are in a trance ... others can see their tottering walk, their broken voice, their world set in the valley

of forgetfulness.

One can feel the extreme of this trance, the horror of this addiction, by himself or herself. Ask yourself some questions:

�Do you jump on your computer to log on to Facebook or similar sites as

soon as you have come from your school?

�When your friend is near you, you talk nothing or very little with him or

her and as soon as the Facebook is on, you feel like talking with him/her

and sharing everything?

�Do you often dream yourself chatting and sitting in a cafe or near your

laptop, instead of dreaming other things like the sky and the mountains,

natural scenario, etc?

�Do you prefer writing small notes on your computer/laptop to using pen

and paper?

�Do you prefer chatting and using sites like Facebook to personally going

and seeing your friend living in the same town or calling him on phone?

�Do you like spending most of your time near your computer or in a cafe

than with your parents, brothers and sisters?

�Do you prefer watching TV or using computer than reading an interesting

book?

If the answer of ALL or MOST of these

questions is in YES, you are in a

serious problem. You have net

addiction and this addiction, if not

checked earlier, will lead you to a self-

destructive world, away from reality,

responsibility and even morality.

There are several

‘declared’ advantages

of Facebook as follows

but most of these

advantages are pseudo advantages

which have their own

pitfalls.

A unique social software

Facebook is a unique social software.

One can connect to other people,

groups or individuals of similar interests

in easy way. Thus it helps in expanding

contacts and human relationships. A

basic psychological need of humans is

to seek recognization and appreciation.

Teenagers and youths are especially

more fervent to vent their feelings and

seek like-minded friends. That is why

Facebook (and other social networking

sites like ORKUT and MYSPACE) is

very popular among the new generation. Many students use Facebook

to learn new things, discuss their school or college projects,

share useful ideas with each

other, develop sound

friendship and similar activities.

FacebookFacebook gives its users the freedom to choose what one gives its users the freedom to choose what one

desires to share and what one does not want other people to desires to share and what one does not want other people to

know about. Thus, one has full control over his or her privacy know about. Thus, one has full control over his or her privacy

level. It depends on the user how to manage or control the level. It depends on the user how to manage or control the

nature and amount of information to be shared with others nature and amount of information to be shared with others

and restrict certain portions of information to particular and restrict certain portions of information to particular

associates or friends. In this way, it is truly associates or friends. In this way, it is truly ‘‘useruser--friendlyfriendly’’. .

Selective use

The Facebook freedom also applies with Groups that can be created by

users. These can include anything from grade school connections to

hobbies and interests. Groups can be public and available to everyone

or private, meaning only those invited can join and view discussions.

Similarly, the Events feature allows friends to organize parties,

concerts, and other get-togethers in the real world. Users can also

create FAN CLUBS of their choice.

Facebook is a ‘one-stop place’ for all the individual or group-based needs

of people or communities. The services include blogging, media,

calendaring, communicating, sharing ideas or information, etc. In these

ways, Facebook can provide “Cooperative Extension” abilities or

capabilities to work together and construct networks in a single place

without difficulty. This facility is not available in traditional methods.

For example, Facebook can be used to seek opinions of peers, coworkers

or friends/relatives on a particular issue without wasting time in personally

contacting each and one.

A complete and composite place for interaction

Facebook provides us a

platform to develop contacts with a global

family, to understand

each other, and

construct sound

relationships. The Vedic thought of

“VasudhaivKutumbakam” (The

Earth is but one family)

can be realized through tools like FACEBOOK.

A tool for connecting with a global family

A popular feature on Facebook is the ability to share photographs

uploaded from a phone, camera, or hard drive. As with other private

information, users have the option to allow only friends to see their

pictures or anyone. There is an unlimited amount of storage available,

which is a major advantage of Facebook's photograph sharing

capabilities.

Sharing made easy

Users of

Facebook can also share news

stories, video,

and other files

with friends.

Facebook also provides children and youths an opportunity to play online

games. Some games like Farmville, Zoo, Petville and Aquarium are especially very popular.

It has awesome games

When we compare the said advantages of the FACEBOOK with only few of the following

disadvantages, it becomes evident that FACEBOOK loses its face.

HIDDEN DANGERS OF FACEBOOK

The popularity of Facebook has been associated with

controversies, too. Its impacts were considered to be so serious that some countries including Pakistan, China

and Iran even banned it. Facebook was prohibited even

in some offices and workplaces to prevent people from

wasting time.

Wrapped

in controversies

It is not necessary that a person has himself or

herself created a profile on Facebook. Some other

person can post vital information about you, and

even upload your picture, without your knowledge.

Here’s what a school student has to say in this

regard:

“I would never join Facebook. I keep in contact

with my "friends" in other ways. I feel Facebook

is another vehicle for people to post pictures

and say negative or untrue things about other

people. Many people use it for good, but many

do not. It is scary to me that someone could

upload a picture they have of me, put it on their

Facebook and spread a lie within minutes to

multiple people all at once. I'd say be careful to anyone using this crazy fad.”

Possible misuse of other people’s information or picture

It is the usual nature of humans to develop personalized feelings for

people we are in contact. There is a ‘sense of belonging’ in emotional

relationships, including friends. All cannot be treated in the same way.

It is possible that some postings on FACEBOOK may offend or hurt

our sincere friends.

A source of envy and strife

The ‘openness’ of Facebook can, at a juncture, create envy and strife and break

many hearts. The point that must always be borne is that human relationship is

often, if not always, emotional, and cannot be ‘generalized’ on a social

networking site.

It sounds good to say that Facebook gives its users total control over

his or her privacy but the truth is different. Most of its users are children

and junior youths who are not ‘experts’ and may not know about

‘privacy settings’. Even those who are old-aged may not know that third

parties can access information about them.

How much privacy we really have?

For example, when you

are playing a game or a quiz, you may authorize

an application to be

downloaded to your profile

that gives information to

third parties about you.

The new concepts of Facebook

like OPEN GRAPH clearly indicate that Facebook is

interested in getting as much

information from you as

possible. It actually is a way to

share the information in your profile with all kinds of third

parties, such as advertisers, so

they can have a better idea of

your interests and what you are

discussing. The more info you share, the more money is

coming to Facebook from

advertisers.

Your information may be sold to third parties

Frauds and scams

As on Facebook all are connected through a network, each one’s

security actually depends on the security of the other. For example,

your friend’s profile may be hacked in case his or her password is

stolen, and a spam or malware can be sent in his or her name. Your

‘friend’ may also request you money and believing that it is really your

‘friend’ you may act upon that request only to deprive yourself of a huge

amount.

Sometimes you don’t notice but your personal

information reached undesirable people. Isn’t

it dangerous? Remember, according to a

study conducted in 2008, about 40 percent of

all Facebook profiles are fake.

Are they all real?

Facebook and other similar

networking sites thrive on a

massive networking of

people. For example, you

may be networked with 400-

500 people or ‘friends’ and

relying on their profile to be

real. You don’t know each of

them personally. Their photos

and profiles may all be

incredible. And yet you are

letting them know what you

are doing now, where you

are, your friends and relatives

and all such things.

Facebook is a western concept and may be good in their atmosphere.

However, Indian – or broadly speaking entire ASIAN – atmosphere is not

suitable for such ‘open-ness’. It is not necessary that modern social

networking sites which fair well in West are also good for the East. It is

only few years ago that many children of Japan committed collective

suicide after setting a date and time on the net.

Vulgarity, uploading of obscene pictures of friends and peers (especially

girls) are other threatening dangers posing from time to time in Indian and

Chinese schools.

Not in keeping

with Indian

culture

Our culture has been a

sane culture where it is

believed that true liberty

comes in the frame of true

discipline of mind. We should not forget that the

most free creatures on this

earth are animals ... they

have no moral question, no

family ties, no obligations of relationships, no dignity

or character. Are we going

to be free like animals?

Networking is good as it enables speedy

communication. In that way a powerful

thought, immediately required opinions

and sharing of views on important issues

can be easily obtained through

networking media but the same

networking media can be used for

negative propaganda. Any person can

start abusing someone else, defaming a

prestigious institution, and harming a

well-reputed company. Once a rumour is

agog, it spreads fast according to the

proverb that “ill news runs apace”. No

doubt, Facebook and other similar

websites have destroyed many

relationships and defamed many great

institutions.

Quick tools for spreading rumours

So ... what’s FACEBOOK:

A BOON OR BANE?

Every progress becomes a boon or a bane depending on how we use it. Facebook is

not an exception.

When the Bab had foretold that a new era is about to appear when knowledge will be at the fingertips of children, He was

surely referring to the unique potential this century of light will

keep hidden. It is upon us how to use this potential.

Moderation is the

law of God(Do not screw the strings

of your harp so tightly that

they break, nor let them be

so loose that no music is

possible) -- This is the

essence of the teaching of

Lord Buddha known as the

Middle Way.

Krishna teaches the

same to His disciple: “O Arjuna! be moderate in

eating, in sleeping, in every effort.”

And Mohammad said: "O you who

believe! Make not unlawful the good

things which Allah has made lawful for

you, but Commit no excess: for Allah

loves not those given to excess."

JesusJesus ChrisChrist t

exhorts:exhorts: ““Be Be

sobersober--minded; minded;

be watchful. be watchful.

Your adversary Your adversary

the devil the devil

prowls around prowls around

like a roaring like a roaring

lion, seeking lion, seeking

someone to someone to

devour.devour.””

And finally, Baha’u’llah advises

us in the following words: "If carried to excess, civilization

will prove as prolific a source of evil as it had been of

goodness when kept within the restraints of moderation."

Every user, especially children, should be aware that Every user, especially children, should be aware that FACEBOOK or any social networking site is not a charity. Even FACEBOOK or any social networking site is not a charity. Even if they are FREE, They are earning money in billions and their if they are FREE, They are earning money in billions and their main interest is in generating larger and larger revenues. We main interest is in generating larger and larger revenues. We should not be foolishly trapped by their attractive packages. A should not be foolishly trapped by their attractive packages. A writer has said: writer has said: ““If a sword is golden and glowing, I will not If a sword is golden and glowing, I will not

stab it into my bosomstab it into my bosom””. We cannot afford to be self. We cannot afford to be self--destructive for little gains.destructive for little gains.

There is no harm using Facebook sometimes in a week or

10-15 minutes a day to catch up our friends and contacts but it should not become an addiction. It cannot be considered a

wise passion to waste hours and hours sitting before a mute

computer and forget the real sweetness of life that is all

around us. It is nothing more than foolishness to create

‘virtual’ relations at the cost of sacrificing true relations of life. Is it not madness to see fake flowers on the wallpaper when

a real garden of sparkling roses is just in front of us?

Get out of Get out of

Trance Trance ……Lets awake from our trance and open eyes Lets awake from our trance and open eyes

to life. to life. ““Life is real .. life is earnestLife is real .. life is earnest””,, as as

poet poet LongfellowLongfellow said. God created a real said. God created a real

world for us. He could make a world for us. He could make a ‘‘virtualvirtual’’ world, world,

He could make flowers of finest papers with He could make flowers of finest papers with

artificial fragrance, He could fill fake artificial fragrance, He could fill fake

emotions in a motheremotions in a mother’’s bosom, false sense s bosom, false sense

of responsibility for his children in a fatherof responsibility for his children in a father’’s s

heart. heart.

But God made a real world for us .. so that But God made a real world for us .. so that

we share real tears and true smiles. God we share real tears and true smiles. God

created this century of light so that we use created this century of light so that we use

our time and resources to make a better our time and resources to make a better

world, to use the knowledge at our fingertips world, to use the knowledge at our fingertips

for a brighter tomorrow. for a brighter tomorrow.

….. and they will surely pass beyond this phase of

Generation F to Generation G (i.e. Generation Godly)

to fulfill the prophecy of the Bab which is so beautifully

worded by a poet, John Addington Symonds:

YOUTH CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

These things shall be: a loftier race

Than ever the world hath known shall rise

With flame of freedom in their souls

And light of knowledge in their eyes.

Nation with nation, land with land,

Unarmed shall live as comrades free;

In every heart and brain shall throb

The pulse of one fraternity.

Man shall love man with heart as pure

And fervent as the young-eyed throng

Who chant their heavenly psalms before

God’s face with undiscordant song.

New arts shall bloom of loftier mould,

And mightier music thrill the skies,

And every life shall be a song,

when all the earth is paradise.

Will not that be

the real FACE-BOOK of

humanity?