I have many friends that are a part of Facebook.  They love it.  Some get on every once in a while, like once a week.  Others are obsessed.  I have a friend that keeps it open all day so she can keep tabs on what everyone is up to.    

Although I see the lure of it, I am not a Facebook junkie.  I’ve enjoyed finding long lost friends through DH’s account.  DH is a youth pastor, and he finds Facebook almost essential in keeping up with his teens every day.

I like to keep up with people.  Their pictures are fun to view, especially friends from high school.  I have one friend from the internet whom I’ve never met, but I consider her a very dear friend.  I love seeing pictures of her family on Facebook.  It’s fun and addicting.  One night I spent hours going from one old friend’s wall to another.  People I would never have thought to look up were on there, and I got to read about them, see some pictures, and realize that they are still in contact with other people on there.  So, I’d visit their page.  This went on for so long that I realized that I was rubbing my eyes so I could see the computer screen more clearly.  I hadn’t even realized how late it was.  (Let me tell you: I was NOT the best mom the next day!) 

This is why I do not have a Facebook page.  I simply lack the self-control.  I’m sure I would become like my friend who keeps tabs on everyone throughout the day.  There’s a certain sense of anonymity when you’re looking at someone else’s page without them knowing it.  It’s admittedly fun. 

My problem with Facebook lies in the bullies out there.  I have absolutely grown tired of people asking me if I am on Facebook.  Some of them ask every time I see them.  They don’t stop there, though.  They proceed to tell me that I should be on Facebook.  It’s a “try it, you’ll like it” form of bullying.  One woman even asked me how she could contact me if I’m not on Facebook!  REALLY?!?!?! 

The next form of bullying comes by way of my e-mail account.  I get requests from people through my e-mail to join Facebook.  It’s a taunting “your friends are doing it, why shouldn’t you?” e-mail.  This tells me that my “friends” have given Facebook my e-mail account so I am now in their “system.” 

It doesn’t end there.  The latest form of bullying has really irritated me.  This makes me not only not happy with my “friends,” but also very angry at Facebook.  In the last two days I have received, from Facebook, the same e-mail eight times.  It tells me who my most recent friends are that have invited me to join Facebook.  It names those friends, tells me how many Facebook friends they have, and gives me the names of other people on Facebook that I may know.  Facebook is trying to strong-arm me into joining! 

I don’t like being bullied.  I enjoy catching up with old friends, but with five young children I don’t have time to keep up with everyone.  Facebook causes me to forget about my priorities.  So, I’ve chosen, for myself, not to participate.  I’m not saying that Facebook is evil, or that no one should be on it.  I’m just saying that I’ve chosen not to.  So, for crying out loud, let me be, you Facebook Bullies!!!