Facebook is a social networking service we all know. It was started exclusively for Harvard students but has since become a global phenomenon. Facebook has more than 300 million registered users worldwide, but at Deerfield, some students still have not bought into the trend. Connor Scott ’10, Gavin Fuller ’12, Willa Gustavson ’12, Claire Hutchins ’12, and Meghana Vunnamadala ’12 are five of the small percentage of Deerfield students who are do not have accounts.
Fuller commented, “I have never had a Facebook and have never been tempted. Without one, I can diligently work without wasting my time during study hall.”
“It is negative distraction, especially during study hall,” said Vunnamadala. “And with all the stories that I have heard about Facebook harassment cases, I know I don’t want to take a chance with that.”
Willa Gustavson has never had a Facebook and thinks that if she were to get one, “I would be totally obsessed and I don’t want it to take over my life.”
When asked if she felt out of communication, Gustavson explained that, “Everyone I need to talk to I can email or call them.”
Hutchins did once have an account but deleted it over the summer so she would have time to recover from “withdrawal” before school started. Hutchins attested that, “No matter how much I miss having a Facebook, I now have much more free time, and will get into college,” alluding to the fact that some colleges can see applicants’ Facebook pages and reject them based on what they have posted.
Vunnamadala also considered this factor of uncertain online security in her decision not to get a Facebook.
“I know I would never put anything up on my account that would harm my chance of acceptance into college or a job, but it’s still possible for others to post photos of you without your consent.”
Scott explained his reason for not having an account as “all really starting with [his] father.” Scott had a Facebook in the eighth grade, but his father asked him to delete it in high school.
“I would be allowed to get one again if I wanted to, but after years of not having one, I know it’s just a waste of time.” One reason Scott has steered clear of it is the effect it has on his peers. “When I walk into my proctees’ rooms during study hall I see them on Facebook, tell them to get off, come back in at 8:30p.m., and they are still on. I’d rather not have this extra distraction in my life.”
These five Facebook-free Deerfield students are confident they are better off. More free time, no study time wasted on stalking friends profiles, and they aren’t planning on giving colleges a reason to deny them based on inappropriate photos or information.