CONTEMPORARY

Victoria M. Tan

We would hear the 90’s people telling that they miss their childhood days when everything was so simple. During these days and before those students were extremely focused and they were not as stressed as today's students. They were not frequently blasted with messages and were just focused on books instead of wasting their time on Facebook. Life was so meek then. Students were able to play outdoor games after school that helped them build their stamina to get rid of diseases and relaxed as well.

In this day and age, students cannot even notice teachers passing by and cannot manage to greet them simply because they are busy looking at their Facebook account. Even the good values cannot be seen anymore among students nowadays. Since they are highly motivated to using social media sites just to satisfy their social needs more than their academic needs, the good conduct seems being forgotten. And that’s why schools often feel pity for the students today as how they are being captivated by the social media and technology. While it may have benefits of connecting one with friends, improving relationships, we cannot deny the fact that it may also have very negative effects. Many articles are presenting that using Facebook in particular may result to loss of sleep, depression, low self-esteem and the worst thing is it may lead to psychological disorders.

We found social sites helpful especially among teachers to communicate easily with students, reminding them of their assignments and urgent requirements. In addition, they may also used these social sites to refer students to helpful resources that could fetch them higher grades in academics. Teens with gadgets having internet facilities may use it to supplement their researches in the library rather than the usual chatting with friends all the time. But as years pass by the demand for internet usage keeps increasing because it is already a necessity among end users, particularly to students. It is developed so that people can have more advanced, more reliable, and more creative ways of communicating. This shows we, humans, are social creatures. But let us not abused the advantages the Facebook extends to us. More so, parents and teachers must guide the youth, particularly the students, in preventing Facebook addiction. Help them learn to spend time meaningfully before it’s too late.