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 commentsSunnyMar 15th 2010 12:18PM
That's why I don't have Facebook period! Look what had happened to those people! All I have heard is bad things about Facebook.
SorreelMar 15th 2010 12:50PM
I don't know why my commentaries believe that facebook caused their husbands or wives to cheat. Your spouse (wife or husband) is a deceiver who used facebook and any other social network to aid their habits. Thanks grahamgeorgeus for the information about changing our password. As for the so call 14 year old girl who mislead facebook into thinking that she was older - shame on her. Whatever she is searching for on these social networks and to all the others like herself, they'll find because a lot of 'no good' uses this medium to decieve. Parents, older folks must guide these young ones. Tell them about the dangers of life.
JenniferMar 15th 2010 12:58PM
The website they probably used was Myspace. I used to have an account on that site, but I received so many disgusting notes from men older than me that I eventually canceled my account.
MikeMar 15th 2010 1:05PM
simple solution. do away with facebook myspace twitter. then no more of this garbage
KarlMar 15th 2010 1:09PM
Long before Al Gore invented the internet, some caveman strayed from his cave and did a little sumthin' sumthin' with the cave-gal down the road aways. Did the original caveman that got cheated on spend too much time at work killing savage wild animals and neglect his husbandly duties and PUSH his 'ol lady into an affair? Perhaps. Did cave-gal put on afew pounds later in life while caveman had a midlife crisis? Caveman could not purchase a shiney new corvette back then so maybe he took a new cave-gal with a shapely figure for a test drfive instead. My point is LONG befote the internet and regardless of the internet, there has been cheating.
swatchorn1Mar 15th 2010 1:09PM
This whole thing started off explaining an article and FB's stance on it...How did it get to name calling and bashing? I hope we are all adults here.
VKMar 15th 2010 1:26PM
When I first joined facebook, it was only for college students with a college e-mail account. Maybe facebook should have left it alone and not let 10 year olds join the site and they wouldn't have to worry about pedophiles.
TomMar 15th 2010 5:01PM
You know it sickens me that people are quick to blame someone else for thier insecure wives husbands boyfriend girlfriends whatever it was Myspaces fault it was Facebook if they were haooy in the first place they wouldnt cheat so before you are quick to judge and accuse a site for their cheating look in the mirror and see the real reason for them cheating
David S.Mar 15th 2010 7:20PM
People need a reality check. Men cheated on their wives (or vice versa) LONG before the internet came along, folks. Before they had to go out and meet them at a bar or wherever. Perhaps the internet has made it easier, but if folks are determined to have affairs they will have them. Either way it is and always has been devastating to a marriage.
Clair VoyantMar 16th 2010 12:12PM
Donna, I am sorry to see the ignorant, rude comments being posted by people here to you. Apparently people feel safe hiding behind their computers and putting other people down. It gets them off.
The computer brings smut right into our homes on a daily basis. Before this men or women had to go outside the home to find this $hit. Facebook has many good qualities but it does tempt people who are bound to cheat anyway.
Donna, I did not see anything in your post where you blamed the scouts for this affair. You have to realize that many of the people posting here are of a low IQ and cannot read.
I wish you the very best Donna. Life will be much better after you are rid of this a$$hole.
MarleeMar 16th 2010 12:39PM
Wow, I just love it, NOT, when people call other people names.......Vulture???
YOU DONT EVEN KNOW THIS WOMAN!!!
You people who engage in this name calling are what's wrong with our country, get a life and then do something useful with it!!
LostMar 17th 2010 6:12PM
I do not have a facebook account nor a twitter account. Am I missing anything and, if so, how do I open one?
ScottMar 21st 2010 7:45AM
I thought this was about someone posing as a 14 yr. old. Any social networking site,just as its title says is a way to meet people. It is not the sites fault about anything,if it affects personal life=take it out of your personal life. Since the Internet and chatrooms came out people have used the extra communication as a way to cheat. The comments are so 80's-90's,the ones being cheated on must not own a bfh=big hammer.