Has anyone noticed that Facebook and Twitter have become more than just “social networking” sites? On any given day, you can login and find rants and ramblings about everything from anger over failed relationships to depression over lost loved ones. It seems that subject matter that should really be reserved for professional or spiritual counselors or even doctors is increasingly being visited on “friends” that probably can’t find their way out of their own bags.
African Americans have long been viewed as being squeamish about counseling and psychotherapy, often dealing with the burdens of life in various unhealthy ways (substance abuse, overeating, etc). Now, these open-forum sites have come along as an additional unhealthy way for the troubled mind to vent. Too much sensitive information is being divulged to no-longer-relevant relationships and random strangers, apparently in hopes of seeking some form of relief.
Here are a few posts that I ran across just today:
“Real Talk for Yo AZZ! Three years ago round about this time I had my Jaw Broke in Three different Places. I was mad as Hell! If you know me you know I wanted to hurt the dude for sneaking while I was drinking My Beer at the Q! But I forgive dude foe Real! Lord will you forgive me now?”
“Lord Fibromyalgia has kept me down since last Friday, just asked that you heal this left Leg, hurts to walk on it, I’m tired of pain pills, they aren’t working, just keep me sleep all day. Lord I pray you touch this pain, so it can stop, I’m tired of the pain.”
“In the rare moments when I feel like giving up and throwing in the towel I remember that every moment that I choose not to live in my purpose, people suffer needlessly. Press forward… You can do it.”
Are posts of this sort and the responses that they generate creating a false sense of comfort for individuals struggling with the challenges of life? Can bootleg advice from well-intentioned e-friends — typically with very little background information — really set one on the right course in life or provide the tools needed to overcome issues? Doubtful, but those that communicate in this manner take it and run with it — quite possibly into a brick wall.
Additionally, it seems irresponsible to let connections of old and new, including employers and other information-seeking entities, in on what’s going on in one’s life. Does everyone really need to know that you thought about shooting someone that rubbed you the wrong way or that you are stricken with some debilitating disease? What happened to picking up the phone and calling your true friends and family members that you’re genuinely connected to to vent or better yet, calling your local counseling center for the trained ears of those who can really help?
Electronic communication is making us more and more reckless. Teens are ruining their reputations before they really have a chance to maturely develop them, people are being fired for divulging information that doesn’t align with the policies of their employers, and worst yet, people are being tracked and harmed by letting predators know their every move via tweeting and facebooking. Can you really trust that high school friend you haven’t spoken to in over 20 years or that random connection you made because of an attractive profile picture? Quite possibly not.
Be smarter, people, technology isn’t always your “friend.” –painfully aware
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