Facebook debate causes uproar

You can ask anyone at Wasilla High School if they have a Facebook page and the majority would say yes. Social networks are a huge part of our society. Many would argue the good that comes from social networks, especially lately.

As the presidential election approached, more people felt the need to express their opinions through posts on their Facebook walls. Yes, everyone has the right to voice their opinions, but lately it seems like people only think their opinions matters.

I think it’s safe to say that we all decided long before the election who we wanted in office for the next four years. It doesn’t even seem like most kids our age know what each of the candidates stand for, but everyone has an extremely strong opinion on which they were rooting for.

During the election, every time I logged onto my own Facebook I saw my friends bashing each other for their opinions on who should be our next president. It seems like the Internet makes everyone brave and willing to share opinions, but you rarely see mature conversations happening on the subject in public. The language and manner some people use to describe their dislike for the candidates has been interesting to see. Some students who have no idea what the presidential candidates stand for are fighting for them harder than I’d see them fight for themselves.

The social network is blowing up with opinions and statements, and I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon. Even adults are putting in opinions accompanied with horrible comments toward the candidates.

The worst part about this sudden uproar on social networks is the amount of feuding between friends. Friends fight and take things extremely personal. People are deleting friends from their Facebook pages because they get so frustrated.

What is driving everyone to fight?

I think the majority of the fights are completely ludicrous. If we could simply understand that we all have different opinions the fighting would calm down. But that is wishful thinking and way too high of an expectation for a nation with the freedom of speech.

Let me ask you this: when does freedom of speech become too much? When does it become out of hand? And are you willing to lose a friend over differing opinions?

Think before you post on the Internet, students at Wasilla High School. Make sure if you feel the need to post an opinion that you stay open minded and listen to other peoples’ points of view. You are not the only one who has the right to do so.

Alexis Brunelle is a journalism student at Wasilla High School.