Tenekka Whitaker, a junior mass communications major, does it about 10 times a day. Jerome Hancock, also a junior mass communication major, does it for about one hour a day. Sharon Stephens confesses that she does it several times a day and almost “all day” at the place where she works.
What is that they’re doing? Browsing the Web site called Facebook.
Facebook is an online directory that connects people through social networks at schools. Founded by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004, the only requirement to join Facebook.com is you must be a college student, staff or faculty member and register with a school email address.
Here’s how it works: You fill out a profile, listing your favorite music, books and hobbies, for example. You can form or join groups, which may represent real-life clubs or may simply bear cheeky names such as “Ridiculously good-looking people.” Each person’s page has a “wall” where friends–and enemies–get to write what they think of you. And Facebook lets students know which of their colleagues is up for “dating,” or maybe even “random play.”
Based in Palo Alto, the site is one of a handful of Silicon Valley start-ups that have tried to crack the hyped but elusive world of online “social networking.” But while some others are either foundering or still working toward success, Facebook is seeing steady — even surprising–growth. It has become so addictive that some students find themselves browsing it for hours.
“Facebook allowed me the opportunity to find my best friend from 5th grade,” said Fredrina Pinkney, a sophomore majoring in elementary education.
It’s still too early to tell whether Facebook is here to stay or is more like the flavor of the year. But for now, it’s on a roll. It has 3.65 million users, and this Internet site combines instant messaging, chatting, dating services and a friend locator.
One of the popular uses is a de facto dating service. Many students like Facebook.com because it eliminates the sometimes uncomfortable face to face encounters. Students can now learn about crushes from fellow students by using their keyboard.
Hancock said he likes Facebook because “it gives me a chance to interact with students and see old friends at different colleges.” Plus, he said “it cuts the cost of my phone bill.”
Whitaker said she’s on the site for about 12 hours on weekends. Still, she said she believes the site is just a fad. “It will fizzle out just like college club.”