Fiona's Blog: Is Facebook Dangerous for Youth or a Global Game-Changer?
I’ve blogged before about the dangers I think Facebook poses to our generation, but today I want to celebrate Facebook for the positive impact it can have on societies and people around the world. I’m talking about the way people looking to create global change have utilized Facebook to reach many in their respective communities.
The power of Facebook has always been undeniable, and its ability to captivate audiences of our generation is certainly not doubted. Could what parents and teachers have been fearing is too much influence over teens be positive influence over teens?
Let’s start with Tunisia. Last month, a Tunisian fruit vendor, Mohammed Bouazizi, burned himself to death as an act of protest, because he felt he had been publicly humiliated by the police. This triggered protests across the country, which gained momentum as they were broadcast through cell phone videos, posted on social networking cites, publicized on Facebook, and even broadcast by the Arabic News Network Al Jazeera. The authoritarian Tunisian president was ousted as a result of this rebellion.Next came Egypt, where Facebook gave the revolution an outlet to disseminate their message. The story of Khaled Said, an Egyptian 28-year old businessman who was brutally beaten to death for having evidence of police corruption, is a perfect example of the far-reaching power of Facebook. After Mr. Said’s beating, an anonymous Facebook page boasting 130,000 users was created (We Are All Khaled Said), on which photos of the incident could be found. The page continued to spread information about protests throughout the revolution. Whael Ghonim, an Egyptian Google executive who helped organize protests in Egypt and was imprisoned for his actions, was recently asked in a CNN interview what the next effects of the revolution in Egypt would be. Ghonim replied, simply: “Ask Facebook.” Even when the Egyptian government turned off the Internet, youth protesters managed to access Facebook and connect with other likeminded activists, furthering their cause.Finally, last week Facebook aided the women of Italy in protesting Silvio Burlesconi’s recent activity with an underage prostitute, and demanded better treatment for women in all aspects of society. The protests were organized by a non-partisan women’s organization who utilized a Facebook page about the cause to amass a crowd.
Ultimately, news of the demonstration was spread through social networking, so that demonstrators gathered in 230 cities and towns across Italy as well as in London, Brussels, Tokyo, Boston and Athens. More than 1 million people attended the rallies in defense of women’s rights.
After witnessing the widespread effect of Facebook on societies looking to create change in their communities, it is unquestionable that Facebook has and will continue to change our world forever. So, I leave you with this question. Facebook: weapon of mass destruction or instrument of positive mass outreach? I think that’s something only we can decide.Fiona Lowenstein is a high school junior, weekly guest blogger and Girls Leadership Institute alumna. Read more of her work here.