MySpace and Facebook. Though both social networking sites are blocked from the school district’s network, the majority of students have accounts on at least one site. While different types of students all have their own preferences, the popularity of both is climbing.
“I use them both every day,” said senior Ashley Lawson. “My fingers are programmed to type the web addresses without thinking about it. I love MySpace and Facebook!!” Though students like Lawson stay on both sites, others prefer one over the other.
“I prefer Facebook,” said junior Grace Engle. “The layout is easier to understand. People enjoy this site more, because they can find their friends just by searching their regular name, it’s not extremely difficult.”
The search engine on Facebook has been one of the most critically acclaimed features of the site, even though the MySpace search is operated by internet tycoon Google.
Sophomore Taylor Landgraf favors MySpace. “I never get on my Facebook. There are more high schoolers on MySpace. Facebook started as a college thing, and I think they want it to stay that way.”
“I feel MySpace is more for younger kids, like middle school aged, or for people who just want to be friends with just anyone,” senior Ashley Zabish said. “Facebook is more personal, and it’s used by more college students and older high school students.”
Though both sites are popular, each has their own angle and uniqueness.
Facebook started out as a college based social network, opened it’s doors to high school students in 2006, and later in the same year users over 13. MySpace’s policy states that users must be at least 14 in order to create an account, though it is easy for an underage user to create an account. MySpace originated in 1999, and though Facebook did not launch until 2004. Facebook’s popularity is rapidly increasing, with over 59 million active users, compared to MySpace’s still growing 300 million users.
Both sites are seemingly trying to emulate each other. Facebook has allowed third parties to make “applications” to use that are only available on Facebook. Applications can be anything from sharing photos, becoming a zombie, taking quizzes, or even creating groups.
“The applications on Facebook are definitely lame and annoying,” said senior Nick Cobourn. “You expect to get a real nice message from a friend or pretty lady, but it’s some stupid thing about pirates or something.”
Engle said she likes Facebook better because of all the new applications. “It’s more interesting, because everything is added on the one site, whereas on Myspace, people have to add quizzes from another website.”
MySpace has recently added “status updates,” and news feeds, which tell of what your friends are doing, similar to those of Facebook.
“I love MySpace’s new additions that update you on what your friends have been doing, like Facebook.” MySpace has also added new home pages and graphics, sticking to the creativity and art it is known for.
MySpace and Facebook have become so popular that candidates for the presidency, such as Senators Barack Obama and John McCain are utilizing these social networking sites.
“I like how both sites are trying to get involved in politics, and encouraging the younger people to actually vote,” Zabish said.
“I prefer Facebook because there is less hacking issues, and more privacy,” Zabish said she usually only uses the sites to keep in touch with old friends from school and work.
Lawson said, “I hardly ever get through the day without them, it’s kind of like a second and third life.” Students like Lawson are not alone.
Cobourn said both sites can be “equally lame how people revolve their life around it and make sure they check it 24,445,400 times a day.”
Becca Rak