I wrote this during my transition out of facebook. I'm happy to say that I'm officially facebook free for 3 years now:
The facebook is harmful because:
1) It increases the desire for approval by others. Any time we depend on others for affirmation, we are enslaved. This is, by far, the most harmful desire in society. While I admit, a certain level of vanity exists at all times, the facebook amplifies and solidifies this human characteristic.
2) increased surveillance by others leads to a more normalized society. By being watched, and watching others, you internalize behaviors that do not deviate from the norm. Such a transparency inevitably leads to the elimination of what is considered "abnormal' by the herd-like masses
3) digital pictures and information do not degrade, and so now this personal information about you will survive you for an eternity. No longer can we "rest in peace" in practical obscurity, with a quaint headstone above our grave, now our every lame remark on somebody's wall will serve to eulogize us as jack asses for all our progeny to witness.
4) trivializes human interaction- when is the last time you engaged in meaningful discourse via somebody's wall? In other words, while quantity of friends is increased, quality is decreased.
6) ever since AIM, facebook, and others have infiltrated our social lives, we have never questioned the potential harm of such institutions. The fact that we don't even question these things points out the insiduous and pervasive nature of the beast. The worst part about being indoctrinated is that you dont know you are indoctrinated. (arguably this is also the best part)
7) Facebook alters the way we orient ourselves to the world, and the way in which we define ourselves. Ever thought of the statement, "i should sooo put that in my profile" And I find it hard to believe that somebody's real personality can fit on a facebook page. Maybe the facebook is causing our personalities to be just like facebook pages...short, cute, and simple.
8) As recently exhibited by my pathetic attempt at deactivating facebook, it's near impossible to leave. I lasted for six weeks until I realized that I simply had no friends in real life. All of my friends were interacting on facebook (and AIM), and in order to preserve any inkling of a social life, I had to re-join. The fact that my social life was noticeably effected by deactivating facebook scares me, and I think it is a viable criticism in itself.
9) Facebook forcefully sends you emails about invitations, confirmations, wall stuff, etc. YOU CANNOT TURN THIS FEATURE OFF (believe me, I tried). This is not a coincidence, or a bug in the system, this is a deliberate attempt to keep you hooked on the site. I don't appreciate being treated like a mindless consumer, do you?
10) its a huge waste of time