Breaking News On Social Media

[ULuvCeCe]

So, last week I found out that a high school peer was killed in a car accident.... via facebook. A few years back I found out that another high school peer had killed himself.... this was through myspace.

What are your thoughts on finding information out via social media? I remember growing up and the reason you found things out was because people called you to make sure you didn't find out any other way. When my friend killed himself the fact that I found out via myspace did not phase me but this time around it was different. Maybe it's cause I'm a mom now and there was more emotion tied to this one knowing he was very close with his son but still it is really bothering me that I had to find out via wall posts.

Thoughts?

[trucktina]

I can sympathize. I found out that one of my friends has cancer through a Facebook posting. Luckily, he's beaten it, but it still feels like a punch in the gut. When I mentioned not being told about it when that friend was first diagnosed, a mutual friend said, "Oh, I thought you would know because he mentioned it on Facebook." Since I didn't always check in there, I didn't know.

Since then, I've quit Facebook. It just doesn't work for me, for real relationships.

[MudValley]

Although social network sites are a great way to keep in touch with people, I do agree that certain things should not be put on there. I've seen people carry on arguments that really shouldn't be made public. Finding out about a death or illness through these sites is just wrong. I know a lot of people that will post R.I.P's and "my heart goes out to the family of...", which, really, would they have said it to the family in person? One girl I know said half her family didn't know about her brother's death and it was posted on facebook about four hours after he died. If I know someone has suffered a loss, I will send condolences through a private message. People will put pretty much their life history and everything they do in a day on there. Really, no one cares that much if you went shopping!! I mostly use facebook to play games on and chat with friends that don't live close by anymore.

[mary_k]

I think it is okay to post the obits from the newspaper. My old high school sends out emails to everyone when a classmate  passes.

[ULuvCeCe]

I am glad I am not the only one that does not appreciate finding out via facebook.

@trucktina, so hard to have "real relationships" when everything is so virtual.

@mudvalley, I always have to laugh at the fights and I just went to the bathroom type posts! I am with you be personable about the situation, when you post it for the public it makes it more "look at me look at me I want everyone to know I was friends with this person"

@mary_k that is intresting that your old high school does that, definitely better than finding out on facebook or myspace

[freepcmoney]

So, last week I found out that a high school peer was killed in a car accident.... via facebook. A few years back I found out that another high school peer had killed himself.... this was through myspace.

What are your thoughts on finding information out via social media? I remember growing up and the reason you found things out was because people called you to make sure you didn't find out any other way. When my friend killed himself the fact that I found out via myspace did not phase me but this time around it was different. Maybe it's cause I'm a mom now and there was more emotion tied to this one knowing he was very close with his son but still it is really bothering me that I had to find out via wall posts.

People post so many private and Personal things on Facebook, BUTTTT, yet is seems soooooo Impersonal to me. Just found out that my ex-husband of (12 years and 4 children) passed away 2 days ago.-------My what a lovely family, I have. Damn bunch of heatherns.

[mh874892]

Luckily I haven't had to find any kind of serious news via facebook (except that an Aunt that I am not in contact with is getting married and frankly who cares?). I can see why it would be awful to find out important things like deaths or illnesses and it would be taken hard. I would feel like people did not care enough to let me know personally. Facebook should not be in place of a phone call, hell even a text or personal e-mail! It just seems like gossip once it's posted on facebook for the whole world to see.

[trucktina]

I am glad I am not the only one that does not appreciate finding out via facebook.

@trucktina, so hard to have "real relationships" when everything is so virtual.

It is. Thanks for replying back!

[drandall]

Because so many people have put their lives on FB that I have pretty much left it. I check in once in a blue moon and that's it. I have come to hate all the drama people post about their lives. I really don't care about their drama to be honest. Then to find out about someones illness or death...that's just so impersonal to have it on a wall. I also don't like it when we get invited to parties via FB. Not all of us live on social sites, so therefore I do not get the invites on time. What about dropping an email if a person does not want to use snail mail? 

[tartarsauce2008]

It doesn't bother me at all. Finding out things through Facebook is much easier because I usually find out faster that way, especially since my family is scattered throughout the globe.