Facebook is testing a new application that will allow people to follow their friends’ profiles even more closely than before. What do UNA students think about this new feature and what could it mean for social networking?
New Facebook “Stalking” Button
By Hannah Clemons
590 Words
Most people would follow an ex around in their day-to-day life without their awareness, considering stalking is illegal. However, traditional stalking now has a socially acceptable cousin- Facebook stalking.
“Facebook stalking” has become a popular pastime for many of the website’s 500 million users. It’s essentially what it sounds like, following a person in their day-to-day life through updates they make to their profile. Facebook stalking is a simple activity; all it requires is typing a name in the search bar. Facebook’s new application takes the process from simple to effortless.
According to CNN, Facebook has begun testing a new ‘stalker button’ allowing users to subscribe to profiles. So far the feature is only tested on a small percent of users. Mashable.com, a social networking news site, explains how it will work: underneath the user’s profile picture, there will be a link that reads ‘Subscribe to User’. This option will appear along with ‘Send a Message’ and other familiar options.
Once subscribed, automatic updates are received when the person being ‘stalked’ makes any changes. When anything is added, whether it is wall posts, pictures or video, the subscribed person will be alerted through a new icon in the notifications bar. It’s uncertain whether or not these updates will include comments and likes. Also, the question still exists as to whether non-friends will be allowed to subscribe. So what do UNA students think about the new ‘stalking’ feature?
Sydney Threet, a sophomore at UNA and a self-proclaimed ‘Facebook creeper’ finds the feature appealing. She has access to Facebook via her cell phone, but it could be improved.
“A lot of times, I miss funny stuff, because I am busy or in class. Phone messages only include stuff [that directly involves] me. I could quick-creep during class,” said Threet.
As far as privacy concerns go, Threet isn’t fazed.
“I think that if you put it on Facebook, and you don’t want someone creeping on you- don’t friend them,” She added.
For years, social networking users have been cautioned about the dangers of websites like Facebook. The amount of information included in an average profile can lead to disaster in the wrong hands. Everyone has heard at least one horror story- houses broken into after posts announcing a vacation out of town, people being refused a job after making unfortunate photo or blog posts, and cyber bullying.
Jessica Capers, a sophomore at UNA, feels the new feature is unnecessary.
“I think it is a tad bit over the top,” Capers commented. “Why on earth would you need to know where someone was and what they are doing every second?”
Despite the dark tales, Facebook remains one of the most popular websites online. Obviously, its not all bad. Facebook has helped reunite people, from long-lost high school friends to children separated by adoption or divorce. Every day, friends are able to chat, share photos and keep in touch with one another. Even here at UNA, Facebook aids in keeping the student body informed.
Anissa Graham, a professor at UNA, finds that the recent use of a Facebook page has helped her to better organize the English Club.
“It does help, particularly in publicizing events,” Graham said “It works to our advantage, by setting off a chain reaction. If one student sees the update, and decides to ‘like’ it, a friend will see that, and may become interested.”
The ‘stalking button’ is not the first of new features in social networking, and it will not be the last. It’s still uncertain as to when this application will be available for all users.
Hannah Clemons is a UNA Student
