Facebook vs Texting

 

Facebook vs. Text

 Throughout the past decade, Social Media has become our main source of

communication for both the young and the older generation. Social networking has

become the primary way to keep in touch with close friends or new acquaintances living

next door or throughout the world. A recent survey conducted by the L.A. Times asked 10

participants what social media network they’d prefer to use Facebook or Texting. The

participants range in ages 18 through 50 all were asked the same questions.

 

Purpose

 According to the study, Texting is a more intimate, one-on-one method of

communicating with people.  For example, if you are on the go or simply cannot make a

call because you’re in a situation where it would be unacceptable to talk on the phone; maybe

you are in a meeting, a doctor’s appointment, or any place where talking aloud could be a

distraction to others, you can always text.  In other instances, texting might just be a cure for

boredom and a chance to catch up with a friend.  Texting is a form of asking the person you are

connecting with for a quick or “as soon as possible” response, without actually making a phone

call. Like participant Jacklynn Smith wrote, “It can be quick and convenient” or Robin Pico, “Light

conversations quick!”  The duration of a texted conversation can be as quick as a few minutes

or can last hours depending on the subjects and time available for both parties. On the negative

side of texting during the study, it was found that users of texting are losing there grammar

skills from spelling to punctuation as mention by participant Karen Neuhaus, “I hate having to

go back when words are spelled wrong, to time consuming. Using spell check doesn’t get

everything right”. The intervals in-between text was also a cause of concern as mentioned by

Illah Schalles, “The lag between texts can make conversations confusing”

 

 

            Facebook is a more diverse way to communicate. Unlike texting, Facebook has

more features allowing you to create a user profile, also known as a Facebook page. After

creating a profile, you have the option of allowing other “users” to see your profile depending

on your security/ privacy settings.  Once you have allowed “friends” to view your Facebook

page, you can communicate by posting what you desire on your face book page.  Jacklynn

Smith writes, “it’s a great way for me to keep in contact with my family out of state, and

country and see what’s going on in their lives”.  All your “friends” will be able to see only what

you want them to see. Like texting, Facebook has a messaging feature that allows you to hold a

one-on-one conversation in the form of texting.  In addition, Facebook also has the option to

make a private phone call with a friend via their site. In turn, something that many user do not

like about face book is the lack of privacy.  Jorge Alvarado writes, “Facebook is too public and

it expose you un-professionally. People with professional careers should avoid it”.

           

Audience

            Communicating via text is a more intimate form of conversing with friends, or

whomever it is you choose to text. For instance texting your girlfriend, “Hi honey, how is your

day going?”  By texting that alone, your girlfriend will instantly know that you were thinking of

her in that specific moment, instantly bringing a smile to her face. You can also text a simple

“what you doing” to a friend to check and see what he is up to. In both cases, if the person is

available and can reply, a conversation will begin.

 

            Communicating via Facebook on the other hand, can be a lot different in many ways.

Mainly in that it allows you to notify all friends about what you are doing, have done, or will

be doing later. You can wake up in the morning and post on your profile “Good morning

everyone, hope you all have a good day.” That post will be shared with all of your friends on

Facebook. Illah Schalles explains it best, “I enjoy the ease of sharing special moments and

events with friends and family both local and distant.” It is more a forum to put thoughts out

 

for others to see and vice-versa than to carry on conversations; however, a post may lead to.

 

            Source & Upload

            When communicating via text you have the ability to send pictures, images, videos,

memes, and music and insert attachments as described by Nina Hirales, “I enjoy that I get to

send pictures, and emoji’s faces”. The only requirement is a cell phone with a cellular service

plan. It is as simple and convenient as that. Internet access is not required.

 

            When communicating via Facebook you can all also upload pictures, memes, videos,

music, images, and attach links but with much more space - up to one gigabyte. In addition,

there is also an application or “app” that can be uploaded to your cell phone, making it much

easier and faster to use Facebook (versus utilizing your personal computer or laptop).  To use

Facebook, you are required to have an internet connection. Without internet, you cannot use

Facebook. If you have cell phone service you must have internet connection as well.

 

            Conclusion

 Both Texting and Facebook are useful forms of social media that allow people to

network staying in touch with others. Although Facebook offers more options, the

survey concluded that 8 out of 10 participants preferred to text instead of using Facebook.

 Facebook and texting are phenomenal and enjoyed by many.  No more than fifteen years ago,

we would not have imaged communicating would be so simple and immediate; by pressing

send, within seconds people around the world share their thoughts and best of all, both medias

can be accessed from the palm of your hand.