Social Networking or Social Awkwardness?

“It’s not official until it’s on Facebook.” That statement is somewhat, semi-, kinda true.

Social networking has been the “grapevine” of this generation. Information is so visible—we know whose birthday it is, who’s in a “complicated” relationship, and where everyone is by simply logging into our social network accounts.

But is it social networking or social awkwardness? It’s both. Evidently, the Internet can be used as an efficient tool to communicate. But what are we exactly communicating? Our Internet alter egos or personas? I find myself hanging out with friends and at least one has to take a photo or “check-in” to show the world we are having the time of our lives.

This past year I have run into a few friends whom I talk to or follow on several social networks at school. They usually completely avoid me in person and when I eagerly went over to them to strike up a conversation, I was shot down with one of those conversation stoppers: “Hi.” “Yeah.” “Gotta go.” Is this what conversations have come to? I mean, it is always convenient to converse and even argue behind a computer screen. But social networks never convey facial expressions and body language.

I’m old-fashioned and would rather have a genuine conversation in person than none at all.