Have you ever logged into Facebook and had someone appear on your News Feed that you did not immediately recognize? I have. After a minute, you have your “ah-ha” moment, “Oh yeah, I met him at that luncheon two years ago at the business development conference in Atlanta.” Once you’ve processed who it is, you might click to his profile thinking, “Wonder how he’s doing?” As soon as his profile loads and you read his most recent status complaining, “Got frisked by TSA at the airport. Great way to start off a business trip,” you pause and think to yourself, “I don’t even know this guy. I talked to him for an hour over lunch.”
Facebook has redefined friendship. On Facebook, acquaintances have become friends, friends have become close friends or best friends and best friends are being added under family members and dating relationships have become a public soap opera.
Before the internet and the latest tech gadgets individuals had a sphere of influence comprised of the people they frequently encountered like their coworkers, those in their community and people involved in similar activities. One’s sphere of influence often ranged from 20-35 people. Now an individual’s sphere of influence has radically been changed. On Facebook alone, the average user has 130 friends. That means an individual has access to at least 6 times as many people as they did before today’s social media.
People that used to be acquaintances are now influenced by people they hardly know. With a simple status post or a tweet, individuals can reach so many more people than before. Though this is great for advertisers, an individuals private life gets less private. With increased friend circles, every time you hit “Post” people that ordinarily would be mere acquaintances have access to your photos, notes, posts and more. It certainly has made me think twice about who I allow to see what I am posting on Facebook!
So who are your friends?