Facebook has become quite
familiar with legal proceedings in recent years, but the site may soon be reversing its
accustomed role as the defendant. In response to a derogatory and inflammatory piece (of tripe) in the U.K.'s Daily Mail, Facebook has reportedly
threatened to sue the tabloid because of a glaring and slanderous "mistake."
The story focuses on the dangers of pedophiles and teens co-mingling on social networking sites, and its original title specifically read "I Posed as a Girl of 14 on Facebook." The problem? The statement was a blatant lie. While the author
apparently did set up a fictional social networking account, it wasn't on Facebook. The Daily Mail has since addressed the grievous error, but it only offered an incredibly weak and transparent "clarification." (Though the Mail was quick to name Facebook, it still hasn't revealed the
actual networking site used by the undercover operative.)
In the actual report, the author claims that within minutes, perverts were sexually propositioning the fictional character. The author frequently uses hyperbole and exaggeration in apparent attempts to terrify parents, using language like "dangerous environment," and referring to social networking sites as an "adventure playground" for pedophiles.
Now, as 'Dateline' has made readily apparent, sexual predators do prowl the Web, but to single out Facebook (even if it was unintentional) is abhorrent. The site
has taken a dramatic stand against sexual abuse and
has actively sought out, and
thrown out, sexual deviants. In order to justify some of the Mail author's language, we actually did set up an account for a fictional 15-year-old girl on Facebook. But, after more than two hours, our lonely teen in search of friendship and dating has remained safely and gratefully alone.
Although
frivolous social networking lawsuits tend to clog the courts and waste money, this one definitely seems worthy of pursuit. And, since Mark Zuckerberg has solidified himself on the Forbes billionaire list, the 'Daily Mail' has definitely
picked the wrong nerd to bully. Go get 'em, Facebook. [From:
The Guardian UK, via:
BBC News and
Gawker and
All Facebook]
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Facebook's Most Annoying Things
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Sure, Facebook can be a lot of fun. It's a great way to reconnect with lost friends and to keep up with people on the fringes of your social circle. And as far as workday distractions go, there's nothing better.
It's hardly a perfect service, though. Minor aggravations add up fast and can drive you nuts. We've combed through the annoyances to find the ten annoyances that bug people the most.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Constant interface changes
Why it's annoying: Granted, innovation is necessary to avoid becoming stale, but sometimes you're better off leaving well enough alone. Facebook has radically overhauled its front page so many times that it's hard to keep count. Just as the anger dies down over one design, the site changes things again -- and confusion sets in. What's the difference between "News feed" and "Live feed"? And why can't Facebook remember which I prefer?
Possible solution: Sadly, there's not much you can do about this -- except wait for the next face-lift.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Inappropriate automated friend suggestions
Why it's annoying: Friend suggestions can be handy, but when Facebook tries to push an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend on you, it's kind of awkward. Similarly, if you've had a major falling-out with someone who has mutual friends, you're bound to see their face pop up in the 'suggestion' field at some point. It makes a clean break that much harder to get.
Possible solution: The little "x" to the right will make the suggestion go away forever. To prevent further frustration, you might want to also click "see all" and weed out any other offending names.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Never-ending game invitations
Why it's annoying: 'Farmville' and 'Mafia Wars' might be fun, but if you don't want to play them, the constant invites are infuriating. Many Facebook games are like Ponzi schemes; the way to succeed is to get more people playing. And once you've managed to filter out one game, another pops up.
Possible solution: It's not too hard to hide the requests and invitations for these games. Just click "Block this application" when you get the first invite. Then, hover over the updates that are clogging your news feed, and click "Hide" when the word appears.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Political fights
Why it's annoying: Between cable news and talk radio, it's hard enough to hide the squabbling between the left and the right. So when political debates fire up on Facebook, it's particularly annoying. All you want to do is see friends' pictures and learn what they're up to -- not eavesdrop on a debate over healthcare reform.
Possible solution: If you've got a friend who picks such fights in their status updates, you might be best off hiding them. You can still check in on them whenever you'd like, but you won't have opinions shoved down your throat.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Imported updates from Twitter
Why it's annoying: Tweets have their own language and shorthand, and if you're not familiar with the 140-character-or-less updates, it might look like someone had a hand spasm while typing. Facebook and Twitter are two entirely different services -- and forcing the two together feels like a poorly arranged marriage.
Possible solution: Once again, you're kind of stuck. Your best bet is to either embrace the language of the tweet -- or learn to selectively ignore posts.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: No 'Dislike' button
Why it's annoying: A friend proudly mentions in a status update that she got a promotion. That's an easy thing to like. But what about when they announce they've been laid off? In its relentless drive to be cheery, Facebook hasn't given us the choice to quickly commiserate or disagree with someone.
Possible solution: There's an active lobbying effort to get Facebook to add a 'Dislike' button, with over 553,000 people members of a group specifically asking for one. Hopefully, the powers that be will listen to the protests.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: People who 'friend' you too fast
Why it's annoying: Sometimes it's a person you've gone out with one time. Sometimes it's a coworker you only speak with occasionally. But odds are you've been 'friended' by someone you'd rather not have on your list. Technically, ignoring the request is an option, but that can create some real world tensions.
Possible solution: Your privacy settings can make this problem an easy one to conquer. You can block specific people from seeing status updates, photos and more by choosing 'custom' and black-listing them. Then, hide their updates from your news feed.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Stealth tagging
Why it's annoying: We all have horrifying childhood pictures or shots we wouldn't want to share with the world. Invariably, though, friends will post them as a joke of sorts and tag you. All of a sudden, that prom picture of you with acne, coke-bottle glasses, and a really bad perm is out there for everyone to see.
Possible solution: You can untag yourself, which prevents others from putting your name to the picture -- but in some cases, that's closing the barn door after the horse has run away.
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Problem: Obvious celebrity marketing ploys
Why it's annoying: Celebrities love Facebook -- or so it would seem. But all too often, it's someone writing on their behalf (and often poorly). That doesn't stop avid fans from falling over themselves to 'like' every comment and chime in as part of the 'amen' chorus.
Possible solution: Unless you're sure it's actually the celebrity doing the updates, you'd often do better to just avoid the pages. After all, is it really that critical that you declare yourself as a fan?
Most Annoying Things About Facebook
Tags: Facebook, pedophilesonline, social networking, SocialNetworking, the daily mail, TheDailyMail, top, web
Comments
53
Subscribe to commentsdonald jonesMar 15th 2010 7:00AM
My husband has a facebook account and regularly gets email from a former classmate of mine offering pictures that are erotic - funny thing is that I have looked at her profile and pictures on her profile and none of them are erotic. Guess we get the emails because facebook is selling his info to these creeps. Be responsible Facebook.
grahamgeorgeusaMar 15th 2010 8:07PM
Donald Jones: While you maybe right, the former classmate may also either have a virus that sends out emails to those in their address book or their account has been hacked. I'm the techie-go-to-guy in my family and I can't tell you how often I've seen both of these. 'Hey mom! What was your password? Oh! Your first name? CHANGE IT!' Tell your friend to change all of their passwords! Sometimes that little thing fixes all of the problems.
karen's computerMar 15th 2010 8:28AM
Sounds like your husband and your former classmate are planning a private reunion that doesn't include you. Facebook is not responsible for his and her actions.
donald jonesMar 15th 2010 8:54AM
thanks grahamgeorgeusa - appreciate the info. As for Karens computer - you ignorant fool - back away from the computer. All you know how to do is stir things up - don't judge everyone else by your lack of morals.
DonnaMar 15th 2010 8:24AM
My husband is addicted to Facebook because of the games suchas Farmville, Cafe world, Petville and others. He also communicates with the other denleaders wives and female denleaders through Facebook. That is how I caught him cheating on me. We are now going to be going through a divorce because of Facebook and Scouting. I often wondered if their husbands only knew how much time he spends talking and playing with them on Facebook.
landerson7886Mar 15th 2010 8:57AM
I don't think you can blame Facebook for your husbands cheating..if he wants to cheat, he would find a way no matter what! I have an ex who was a cheater..and there was no Facebook involved..put the blame where it belongs..in your husbands court! As far as the games..they are fun and placed there for people to have fun with them, they DON'T make people cheat!
billMar 15th 2010 9:50AM
Donna, I do not know anymore than you have told us. I am neither judging you or him. But you have placed blame in a lot of places it simply does not belong. I did not suggest you were to blame either. That is true because I only know what you tell us. But Facebook and Scouting, as organizations, are not to blame. Your husband most certainly, you perhaps. But Farmville and other apps on FB NOT. Blame the other woman or women, okay. Just like Tiger's encounters, they all knew who was married but jumped in anyway. So blame the bimbo, blame the husband, blame the stars, just not FB and scouts.
GlynMar 15th 2010 4:09PM
It is not facebooks fault. You need to look in the mirror and ask yourself why he felt the need to seek companionship in another woman's arms.
KarlMar 15th 2010 1:08PM
You chastize Bill for "talking about things he doesn't know about," yet I thought his reply to you was right on the money, well thought out, articulate and as an intelligent as it gets. We {incl Bill] reply on what is written here by you and others. If you don't want your life and problems put up for scrutiny, then keep your baggage in your dark closet and don't put it "out here." If you do place it out here by wriging about it, don't be suprised when a coment or two is less than to your liking.
KarlMar 15th 2010 1:09PM
You are most certianly not going through a divorce because of Facebook and scouting. Scouting is one of THE most noble endeavors in the world today. Just because your husband - or so be ex husband - is a part of it is a moot point. Just because your husband is also on Facebook is also a moot point. Where were YOU during all these hours and hours and hours he sat online? Did you ever suggest doing something else? I'm not saying you are at fault by any stretch of the imagination - just curious where you were and what you were doing while the fledging Facebook thinmgs blossomed. I had an ex girlfriend cheat on me a number of times years ago with men she met on AOL. Does that mean AOL is at fault? Of course not. She was going to do what she was going to do regardless. She wanted a distant relationship with me so she had time to troll the internet. Had or relationship happened befpre Al Gore invented the internet, she would have been boinking the milkman, the guy at the hardware store or? I'm sorry for what you are going through but lets make sure blame lies squarely at the feet of who it belongs = your husband - period. I hope you have a healing process and don't grow old being bitter about men thinking all are like your husband. I am a firefighter/paramedic and could cheat on my current girlfriend a dozen times a month if thats what I wanted, but I don't. I honor her, I honor myself, I honor what we have and what we've built. You, too can do this. Don't be bitter, don't hold grudges. Take some time to heal and then have your wits about you when you begin dating again. Regards.
mylisacatMar 15th 2010 1:47PM
Hey Donna--- You may be going through a divorce(and I am truly sorry about that) but it is NOT because of Facebook, it is because of the actions of your husband and the other person....Facebook is inanimate and only as good(or bad) as the person using it. Hubby is responsible for your divorce, not Facebook. (I hope things work out for you though)
carpiedMar 15th 2010 2:05PM
Don't blame FB for your hubby's daliances. Blame scouting!
Miko RoseMar 30th 2010 4:43PM
Yes, it's true that while it is not Facebooks fault, there is something to be said about the easy temptation it offers. We are all human, if temptation is knocking at your door everyday don't tell me that you are all that strong either. These types of forums are too easy for that kind of behavior.
karen's computerMar 15th 2010 8:40AM
You mean your soon to be exhusband that could have done what you say on any network, or without a computor. To blame scouting is the lowest of things any so called human can do. Vultures like you are the very reason our world is in trouble. Try getting a job, being a real person and find someone who bows down to you and begs to have the ability to go outside without fear of your nagging. Good luck in your own little world with no family or friends.
Joel LafargueMar 15th 2010 8:43AM
Things like what is described in the article and in the posts above are why I choose not to have a Facebook account in spite of the urging by my family and friends to get one.
angel071438Mar 15th 2010 8:47AM
my sister-in -law cheated on my brother through facebook.She claims he was an old friend.We later found out that he was in one of her classes .She was popular he was not.He told her he always wanted to date her. Well now She has successfully broke up both marriages .I hope the body builder and the so called nurse luck
billMar 15th 2010 8:47AM
DONNA - Don't blame Facebook or Scouting for how they are used by your husband to enable him to cheat on you. You then might want to blame your ISP, the US Mail, your telephone company and the mechanic at your repair shop too. He is the only one to blame. When someone wants to cheat they will find a way. Those games he plays on FB may be addictive, but they did not get him into bed with anyone.
Donna HMar 15th 2010 9:07AM
Bill,
Until you know the whole sitaution you can not judge. My husbands holds a high position in scouting and cheated on me with a denleader. He abused his authority. When I aked him to do things around the house to help he was too busy on Facebook with his girlfreind and his games. He cheated on me before but this was the last time. My son is in scouting how do you think that makes me feel knowing they are doing this.......................Donna
Donaj62Mar 15th 2010 9:02AM
Karen,
You do not know my situation. This is not the first time my husband has cheated on me. But it is the last time. He has a high position in scouting and he did this with a denleader. He used his power of authority to create this sitaution. My son is in Scouting and he enjoys it and will stay in it for as long as he wants. As for being a vulture take a look in the mirror honey...........................
BOB MATHERMar 15th 2010 9:25AM
Computers are not toys to be played with. They are tools to be used as such. I'm here because I'm in need of a good laugh .