Students should break Facebook addictions

I'm pretty sure the Internet gods are going to strike me dead, but I'm about a click away from canceling my Facebook account.

I've decided this form of communication is simply not in my best interest. Sure, Facebook helps me connect and share with the people in my life, but more often than not I forget that hidden behind butterflies and rainbows, there is always fine print.

To begin, Facebook isn't classified as more than a waste of time in my book. Already I have spent 42 minutes guarding my Facebook page when I could be tackling my to-do list instead. That's almost an hour that I could have spent fighting bad guys, saving the rainforests, visiting the sick or finishing this column.

Usually I'm not exchanging vital information that could make me a better person, save my life or grant me a million dollars when I use Facebook. Nine times out of 10 I'm perusing information that is probably none of my business anyway. There are only so many sensible times you can examine status updates before you start to resemble stalker material.

Speaking of stalker, I've learned from experience that it's not a wise idea to have a Facebook account when you don't want someone to reach you. Facebook is used to connect, not to dodge. So the next time Alfonzo requests you as a friend, don't think "ignore" will end your problems.

Recently a friend and I had the typical roommate brawl and after a battle of hostile girl moves, we went our own ways. After months of time apart she decided she would like to contact me again. When phone calls, text messages and e-mails did not succeed, she turned to Facebook where she created an alias account, and proceeded to send me messages again.

With the generous amount of information widely available to all, I wonder if privacy is even possible on Facebook. With the click of a mouse you can find someone's e-mail address, birth date, hometown and employment. Depending on your Facebook popularity, 200-300 "friends" can know exactly what you're doing and/or where you are from a posted status. I've decided "explosive diarrhea" is one detail of a friend's life that I did not need to hear about.

Facebook is simply an additional drama that I do not need in my already complicated life. The content that makes up Facebook has been known to emit feelings of jealousy, rage, irritation, resentment and offense to name a few. I'm sure these ill emotions are not unfamiliar to college students like me. One too many times I've seen friends with their week turned upside down because someone denied their friend request. When constant incoming information is available about friends and acquaintances, it seems almost impossible to avoid gossip, drama and hard feelings.

Facebook will keep me connected, but it will also involve me in drama, compromise my privacy and waste my time. If I can break away from this addiction, I'll be much better off. Logging out.