Introduction
Facebook is a social media platform that facilitates online interaction and information sharing among friends and family. Mark Zuckerberg, then a Harvard undergraduate, developed Facebook in 2004 with his fellow students in mind (Haupt, 2021). In 2006, Facebook opened its doors to anyone over 13 years with access to an active email account. There are more than a billion people from every corner of the globe who use Facebook on a regular basis. This paper seeks to prove that Facebook is a better communication platform compared to face-to-face communication. Despite some concerns about anonymity in online communication and the impact of such media as Facebook on identity, when approached cautiously, interactions on this platform offer many benefits.
Rich Modes Media
The availability of multiple media files reveals an influence in modern media modes on Facebook. The speed with which new information can change existing viewpoints is best defined as media richness. When a person’s understanding of a subject expands, their prejudices shift (Gomez, 2020). Lackluster communication occurs when it takes too long to facilitate understanding or when multiple perspectives cannot be accommodated. The variety of media formats influences how much one may learn from a discourse.
Compared to a single mode of communication, Facebook’s rich media can be more beneficial because they give greater leeway to customize content. For instance, this advantage can be used in the educational sphere. Mathematical reasoning demonstrations, laboratory experiments, surgical procedures, and even carburetor removal can all be filmed and made available to students at their convenience on Facebook (Wolff & Burrows, 2021). Animation, video recordings, and online meetings can all be applied to illustrate or discuss phenomena that would be prohibitively expensive or inconvenient to show in a traditional classroom setting.
Synchronous and Asynchronous Media Modes
The use of Facebook implies communication that can be done synchronously and asynchronously. Synchronous interactions usually require transmitter-receiver proximity and constant attention during communication (Xie et al., 2018). Asynchronous data exchanges let recipients process the received messages and respond at a convenient time (Xie et al., 2018). The synchronous communication possible on Facebook is regular and video calls between users, including conference mode, when several people participate in the conversation. In this case, the advantage of Facebook over face-to-face communication is that interaction can occur between participants from different places worldwide. Moreover, such features facilitate meetings when face-to-face communication is impossible, as in the case of the limitations during the pandemic. Asynchronous communication on Facebook involves the exchange of text messages between two or more participants, writing posts and comments. Such communication can be preferable for users who are not comfortable with calls. Moreover, asynchronous communication gives additional time to understand the message and formulate a more accurate response.
Anonymity Available
Anonymous social media refers to a subset of social media where the primary social function is the anonymous distribution and discussion of content and information via mobile and online channels. Standard methods of anonymous communication include suggestion boxes, written comments, and blocking callers’ identification. Communication that takes place face-to-face eliminates the possibility of anonymity (Kang et al., 2020). When people use a constant identification other than their proper name, known as a pseudonym, they are said to be pseudo-anonymous.
The ability to transact with anybody without disclosing personal information or identifiers is essential to maintaining anonymity. Organizations should only be able to track down individuals involved in a transaction at a later date. At the same time, studies show that anonymity can often lead to antisocial behavior (Gerhart & Koohikamali, 2019). Fake IDs, pseudonyms, and unconfirmed user accounts abound online, allowing people enough opportunity to disguise their identities when they publish messages.
An anonymous online identity may be a fake email address, a username for usage in an online forum, a stage name, or a pen name. A person’s anonymity may be compromised even if they employ a pseudonym (Seth & Seth, 2022). Using some tricks like a false email address and a made-up name, Facebook users can also be anonymous. On the one hand, such identity protection can provoke unethical behavior justified by a sense of impunity. On the other hand, through anonymity, users can protect their privacy and prevent identity theft and fraud. Consequently, although anonymity is difficult to implement on Facebook, it is possible, but its effects are ambiguous.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Facebook compared to Face-to-Face Communication
Marketing on Facebook has shown to be a successful strategy for many enterprises and organizations. Many potential customers may be accessed quickly, making this a fantastic tool for marketing research. The educational value of this platform cannot be understated; Facebook, in particular, is a fantastic resource for students. Teachers can provide their classes access to their lectures and other course materials, and students can engage in lively discussions and debates about the topics being covered. Both students and teachers may stay in touch, and parents can check in on how their child is doing in class. Grow et al. (2020) saw that people have always thought the Internet was a terrific place to make new friends, but Facebook has made it even simpler. With Facebook, it is easier than ever to connect with others who share people’s passions and aspirations. However, face-to-face communication limits all Facebook advantages because they are much more manageable on Facebook than face-to-face. Facebook’s marketing features have made it a valuable resource.
Some people may experience some drawbacks when using Facebook, which can be considered advantageous in face-to-face communication. In contrast to social media like Facebook, face-to-face meetings significantly reduce the possibility of misunderstandings. Direct eye contact allows for the interpretation of body language, which often amplifies the meaning of words. A candidate’s or client’s emotional state can be better gauged on such a site than on Facebook (Semerádová & Weinlich, 2019). They have difficulty being authentic, so they update their Facebook profiles to make it look like they have more going on than they do.
Social Advantage offered by Facebook and Face-to-Face Communication
Facebook’s social value lies in the fact that it facilitates people’s capacity to make friends and expand their social circle. According to the study, Facebook facilitates more targeted, one-on-one communication thanks to its tagging and sharing features. Doing so enhances our ability to connect and forge stronger bonds with those around us. Face-to-face interactions have the added benefit of being more persuasive in the social realm. To succeed in business and leadership, the ability to persuade others to see things our way is crucial, and connections are strengthened as a result (Rosenstiel, 2010). A text message is not always a good place to start building rapport and trust with someone. One cannot expect the same level of loyalty from a coworker or customer if they never see their face compared to someone they regularly meet.
Effect of Facebook and Face-to-Face Communication in the Development of Identity
Facebook distorts our self-awareness, making us focus on the impression we want to make rather than who we are. This feature motivates or even compels some people to spread the word about another person’s identity on Facebook. Eventually, one’s sense of identity becomes a proxy for one’s social standing and acceptance as the preexisting link between self and persona, private and public, crumbles and falls away. On the other hand, people mold their personalities to fit with what the digital world considers to be an acceptable identity in their pursuit of approval in their social lives through electronic platforms like Facebook. In doing so, they forfeit their genuine self-identities, which can have an adverse impact on mental health (Brinkman, 2018). Using Facebook as a new technology can have far-reaching effects, from subtle to profound personality shifts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, such media as Facebook has changed the way in which people interact and cooperate with each other, as well as the methods in which they display themselves to the public. Since users have a tendency to emulate others to fit in with a specific group, their genuine personalities are rarely revealed in the users’ Facebook profiles, status posts, or timelines. This behavior happens because users will frequently attempt to imitate the activities taken by other users (Brinkman, 2018). However, with a careful approach, users can limit the negative impact of the media on them and take advantage of its benefits. For example, Facebook offers various forms of communication, and everyone can choose the one more appropriate to the situation or preferred personally. Media also connects people from all over the world, providing additional opportunities for personal and business communication.
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