BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IT has been quite a while since public profiles and public forums have become the ‘in thing’, and many people, both young and old, are now fond of network socialising on websites such as Hi5, Facebook, Tag, Twitter and MySpace.
Although these websites can be great means of communicating with old friends, old schoolmates and family members, they are also famous for causing problems in relationships.
SKNVibes PEP, being the media outlet that always wants to keep the public informed on not only the big issues but also the day-to-day little ones, sought answers from a number of people on the following question: “Can Facebook/My Space/You Tube and the other social networking sites ruin a relationship?”
Dele, who is in his late 20s said, “They can, if you daft enough to buy into every single comment. People these days have a thing for taking things on the internet way out of context.”
Harrison said the social sites do not ruin relationships. It is the trifling things people do on them that ruin relationships.
In Michelle’s input, she said it is possible because once you get addicted you start spending more time on the site rather than with your mate. “Then jealousy kicks in, or you may even meet new people who might catch your interest more than your mate, which could create problems,” she added.
On the other hand, a young man who prefers to be referred to as Starz, said, “Some partners may feel they should be able to search their partners’ facebook/myspace accounts, but because they are not being allowed to search it that may lead to tension in the relationship.”
He further said that quite often the comments and status left on one’s profile could be seen as flirty or indecent for someone who is in a relationship, especially if the partner is easy to become jealous. “Therefore, they can ruin relationships.”
Collin, who was a little on the iffy side, said, “It depends on the persons. I don't think it’s the websites, but the intentions of whoever goes on the site. They know what they go there to do.”
Aylahnique, who had quite a mouthful to say, replied in the affirmative while adding, “We must remember that these websites are open to all and everybody including enemies, ex's, side dishes you name it. So, from that starts confusion. Once you post something it turns into anything. When you, in the first place, might have meant it as nothing, people copy, paste, edit, forward and comment…it is some crazy sh*t. Also people tend to get curious. You want to know who is on your boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s page and where they’re from and what the hell are they doing there.”
Coreen Simmonds kept it short and sweet when she said, “Only what you put on them people will know. So just be careful.”
Lastly was a 25-year-old, who said she could definitely relate to the topic because one of the above mentioned networking sites created confusion in her relationship, which almost caused her to leave her boyfriend.
She believes that these sites could ruin relationships because people communicate and they could become intrigued by the type of conversations they would have been engaged in, thus developing an interest in wanting to meet the persons.
Now that you have read these people’s opinion feel free to comment and let us know what you think about the topic, as we are sure that almost everyone has some sort of public profile…whether it is Hi5, MySpace, Facebook or Tag.
