I have recently done one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do; I made the decision to deactivate my Facebook. While it may sound silly, to a generation addicted to technology, the thought of not being connected to everyone every second of every day can be frightening.

Some Facebook users may say, “I’m not addicted, I can quit any time I want.” Well guess what, that’s what an addict says. It was the first thing that I would check in the morning and the last thing I would check before I went to sleep. I have been in trouble for going over my Internet minutes many times in the past year, all from Facebook.

But what is it exactly that fascinates us? Why do we feel the need to post inside jokes that nobody else will understand when our friends are sitting right next to us? I have witnessed many arguments over Wall Posts, comments, and mobile uploads. Facebook, when used incorrectly, has the potential to destroy friendships, marriages, and reputations.

In the past week, my Internet use has been much more productive. I finished an essay in three hours, which probably would have taken twelve hours had I constantly been on Facebook, updating my statuses about how I hate writing essays. I have read more news articles and have been learning through sign language tutorials on YouTube.

It finally hit me how stupid Facebook can be while I was in my living room watching TV and my dad was on the computer next to me. He informed me that my cousins ate chicken and rice for dinner, pictures included. I also learned that Stop & Shop started carrying a new brand of bialys. I don’t know if he gets supermarket updates or if somebody felt the need to share that with 850 of their closest friends. Whatever the case may be, Facebook was a source of procrastination for me. Instead of commenting back on forth on a friend’s wall for hours, why not just hang out or talk on the phone?

I am by no means anti-technology, nor am I encouraging anybody to deactivate their Facebook. I just think as a society we need to be more conscientious about what we share and be aware if social networking is interfering with other daily activities.

As for me, I no longer care to know what all my friends ate for lunch, or what they did this weekend. If you do decide to deactivate your Facebook, just remember that afterwards you won’t be able to make your status “Deactivated!”