People are basically still cavemen in front of their computer keyboards. - “Facebook Follies”
Images of rioters in Vancouver happily destroying public property. Politicians being forced to quit their positions because of compromising pictures. Nasty tweets or status updates leading to lawsuits and loss of jobs. Divorces over online cheating...
Connecting with people has never been easier. Unfortunately, this ease of communication blurs boundaries while giving us a false sense of security. And the consequence is often careless behaviours.
“Facebook Follies” is a new documentary that takes a bold look at the impact of those behaviours online. No matter where you live, what you share on social networks can backfire on you at any time.
Facebook, in particular, is a place where malicious people will stop at nothing to reach their goals, and where some companies do not hesitate to “stalk” profiles in the hope of finding good reasons to fire an employee or cut their benefits. In a few words, if you choose to press ‘send’, you can kiss privacy goodbye:
“What most people don’t understand about Facebook is that it’s not being done for love,” says Graham Cluley, one of the experts featured in the documentary. “It’s a business. And it’s not even free. You’re giving away your personal information, which is commodity and which they can sell to others.”
However, “Facebook Follies” ends on a positive note, by showing how Facebook can also change lives. Some people have found love, while others have been able to reconnect with long-lost family members. The platform is also used as a place of mourning, where the memory of the deceased can be celebrated for ever through their profiles.
To me, “Facebook Follies” is a great reminder that social networks are man-made tools; and when it comes to tools, it is up to each one of us to make a conscious effort to use them well.
However, what I like the most about this documentary is its honesty. Director Geoff D’Eon did not choose the politically correct approach, which would have involved blaming Mark Zuckenberg for creating Facebook and leading users astray. Instead, he invites us to take responsibility for our actions and become better online citizens.
This is a great documentary.
More about “Facebook Follies”
Written and directed by Geoff D’Eon
Produced by Edward Peill (Tell Tales Productions)
Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
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