Interview

1. What do you think about social networking sites these days?

• they are the only source of communication besides cell phones.

• I think of social networking sites as a place to get to know someone that may not feel comfortable talking in real life. If not, progress a friendship or for simple communication.

• To be honest, social networking sites, I think, can be a waste of time.  For me, I have caught myself “stalking” people on Facebook rather than investing time in to doing something productive.  Not only can it be a waste of time, but there were a few psychology articles that have actually found Facebook to negatively affect mental health.  
  Contrarily, Facebook also has been a place for young ones to share news and current events, natural disasters, etc…so Facebook, if used for this purpose, can be a positive tool to share vital information among those who spend most of their time on Facebook.   Also, Facebook can be a form of self-expression and can allow people to discover things about themselves that they weren’t aware of before.  

2. What is the number one social networking site you use today?

• Facebook and Tumblr and Twitter

• Facebook

•  Facebook

3. Do you think social networking sites are the number one cause of lowering self-confidence and self-esteem?

• It may not be the number one cause of lowering self confidence but it does contribute to the idea.

• Not number one but most definitely in the top three.

• I wouldn’t say it’s the number one cause.  Remember that being in a certain situation such as unemployment or a bad break-up can lead to lowering self-confidence and self-esteem.  However, Facebook is something that definitely feeds those situations, causing people excessive and unnecessary negative emotions that can surely be avoided. 

4. How have you been affected by social networking sites lowering your self-esteem?

• Pictures of skinny girls on Tumblr.

• N/A

• I wouldn’t say that it lowered my self-esteem.  Instead, it allows me to self-reflect on the things I’ve achieved so far.  For example, if I were to look at someone’s Facebook, say someone who was “smarter” or “in a better position” than I am, my self-esteem wouldn’t be lowered.  In fact, it would motivate me to do something about my own situation.   It is a challenge, though, to really resist comparing your life with others on Facebook.   What really helps me from comparing my life to others, especially on Facebook, is that people only post what they want others to see; so really, Facebook is not a reflection of every aspect in a person’s life.  

5. How long has social networking sites been affecting the way you view yourself?

• Around three years.

• Haven't viewed myself differently.

• Everyone is different and everyone is walking down their own path, which makes us all unique from one another.  Additionally, everyone is going through some type of life circumstance that only that person knows about. That statement is something I’ve really applied and committed to my thoughts whenever I come across someone who may be in a better position than I’m in. 

6. How do you think this problem can be changed?

• Not allowing people to post pictures of themselves.

• Being comfortable with yourself and accepting who you are.

• Despite my answer above, it is still a challenge for me to actually feel completely comfortable and at-ease when looking through someone’s Facebook without the feeling of being left out or unhappy.  This could be changed by simply not logging on to this specific social networking site.  I think about the times before Facebook ever existed and I must mention that life was significantly less stressful than present time.  

7. What do you think is the cause of this problem?

• there's too much competition to be better than the next person.

• Everyone thinks there's only one way to look in order to be happy.

• Curiosity kills the cat.  My curiosity is what’s causing a downward spiral of this “almost” Facebook addiction.   I’m currently unemployed, causing extreme boredom and increasing my curiosity about the lives of my friends and families.  

8. Have you yourself tried to make things better? How?

• Nope, haven't tried to make things better.

• Accept yourself and realize that not everyone has to be a size 2. There's more to a person than the way they look.

•  I try to reduce the amount of time I spend on Facebook and invest that time into job searching, reading articles online, finding out my passion and career goals, and even watching TV (which may not be as helpful but definitely decreases the time I spend on Facebook).

9. Some researchers have found that social networking sites actually improve individual’s self-confidence. Do you think that the Internet may have some type of positive affect in an individual?

• It's a good way to keep in contact with friends and family.

• Makes pretty girls feel good about themselves. Not necessary pretty, but all girls in general.

• Knowledge is power; and in a previous answer, I mentioned that Facebook can be used as a positive tool to inform young individuals of what’s going on in our world today.  This can lead to group discussion about current events among young people, giving way to sharing of relevant knowledge and new ideas for improvement.  
  
  
  When it comes to self, the only way I think it can boost someone’s self confidence is if one were to look at another person’s Facebook page, given that person viewed may have undignified photos, inappropriate language, or broadcasting their unfortunate event to the public.   People’s confidence tends to inflate, natrualy, but it truly does take a humble person to overlook judgment and instead, be grateful of their fortune.

10. Has your self-esteem ever improved because of social networking sites? Have social networking sites ever made you feel good about yourself?

• No

• Yes, I once saw my friend talking about me in a good way and I was flattered and happy.

• Somewhat. 
  

11. Do you think people choose the way their self-esteem increases or decreases?

• Yes, some people allow it to affect them, some don't. 

• Sometimes people over think situations and let it get to their heads. There's always that one girl who knows she's pretty but posts pictures anyways to get compliments from her friends and random people on Facebook. 

•  Some people say that “it just happens.”  Obviously, people have the power to control their thoughts, and if your thought process is dependent on what is on Facebook, a change in definitely needed.  You can either let petty things, like Facebook, affect you or you can choose not to let it affect you.  There can be times when serious things arise on Facebook, and I think that’s just when you need to avoid it as much as possible.  

1. Do you think individuals are asking for their confidence level to lower as they advertise their lives on social networking sites?

• If they don't want people in their business then they shouldn't be posting it.

• Yes, why would you post things on Facebook if you didn't want anyone to see it? It's like fishing for compliments.

• In my case, when I receive notifications on Facebook, I do get a little surge of happiness, simply because I feel that people were thinking about me.  Who wouldn’t love being thought of!   But yes, I am guilty my confidence level rising when I post a certain comment, status, or picture.  In a more serious case, there are some girls who do post pictures of themselves, with the purpose of receiving compliments.  These pictures, in most cases, are provocative or just inappropriate.  I think the question people to need to ask themselves is this:  What is the purpose of posting pictures of that nature?  It would be interesting to hear an answer from someone who does such a thing.

13. What are a couple of popular social networking sites today that you think take away an individual from their family and friends?

• Facebook. It can allow you to stay in contact with family that lives far away but it takes you away from your immediate family if you spend hours on the computer.

• Facebook. People posts a lot of personal information that other friends enjoy reading.

• Facebook, Myspace, and maybe some blog sites?  Facebook definitely is number 1 on my list.

1. Is there a way to broadcast your life without your confidence going down?

• Only post what you want people to know. Don't post things looking for sympathy.

• Disable comments! You're always subjective to people commenting on what you choose to post.

• Yes, and that is to just focus on your life and to remember that your life is unique.  Not everything about that person’s life is on Facebook.  Everyone is going through some type of life event that is exclusive to that person.