Immaturity and Social Networking

Today I was hit smack in the face by a situation that I had not encountered since let me think back... 8th grade maybe. This situation not only sent adrenaline rushing through my veins at a speed I was unaware it could go, but it left me feeling completely and utterly frustrated for no reason at all. 

I love social networking. I will admit that I Facebook stock people, I Twitter non stop and am non stop thinking about my next tweet. I use gmail chat, Blogger, SELF magazine groups, youtube, and yes I have a myspace still...(even though I swear I am getting rid of it every day.) I find these things important especially since I am over in Turkey and without Skype and facebook I would have no way of staying in contact with my friends and family (as well as the lucky people I stock). This is the point of these "social networks" right? DUH! They should  be used as tools to stay connected with people in a positive manner, a MATURE matter whats wrong with that? Lets put an end to the Myspace days, lets stay out of other peoples business (especially if we don't know them) lets bring back some class, some respect, some good old Maturity!

So let me get to the point here (then to my story) at what point on these social networks did it become ok for people you don't know, to judge you? and publicly?

Something, similar to lighting a stick of dynamite and throwing it under my feet, has happened to me, it hurt my feeling and got me thinking. I, like many other older siblings, feel the need to direct and give opinion to my younger sisters. This usually happens whenever I feel like it and whether they take the advice or roll their eyes at me really doesn't effect me, I just like that my opinion was heard. (mostly so later on I can say I told you so). This is how our family has worked and I could never ask for a closer and stronger bond between me and my sister. 

So when I found out that my youngest 17 year old sister is getting married I had at first some mixed feelings, such as "she is 17, why so soon, is this for real, will I make it back to the USA in time? If I don't will she wait to have the wedding?" These are all logical questions that I of course confronted her with. My mistake was doing this on her facebook wall, since I am 10 hours ahead of her and since its the cheapest form of communication as well as simplest and most convenient. Someone named Shadow, whom I do not know, and who apparently knows everything there is to know about me, my family, my sister, the military, being married and I am sure a ton of other things decided to call me "selfish" and a "bitch" for asking my sister to postpone her wedding by 2 weeks so that I can make it. 

I don't like being called names and I don't like being called selfish because I am by far anything but selfish. The other really disturbing thing is that in no way was my message to my sister meant to be a guilt trip, and my sister knows that since, well, I dunno she and I have known each other since she were born, that I would never force her into doing something just cause it was convenient for me. 

So why did this girl think it was ok to say these things about someone she does not know? I wonder if she put 2 and 2 together to see that we are even sisters? Regardless why did she have to call me a bitch? or selfish? Its none of her business. So this is where my frustration came in.  

Why do people think its ok to do this? 

Has social networking made it ok for immaturity and ignorance to thrive? I think so. I think that since this girl is sitting behind her computer screen typing and forcing herself into all odds and ends of others lives vicariously. I mean I am only assuming she has some connection to my sister and I did write on the public wall where everyone can see/comment. Does that mean that she had to be mean? Immature? Rude? There are a ton of things I feel like saying to this 20 year old married girl but since I am writing a blog on immaturity and its negative effects through social networking I will try and practice what I preach. I am in no ways saying I am perfect, and have never done something this ignorant (Honestly though I cant think of a time I have done this.) This person is married, and to me a married person should be a mature person right? Marriage is a huge step in your life, a huge, mature step that cannot be taken lightly. Whats going to happen to the world if more of these people are the ones getting married? These people who are vicariously living through lives of other peoples misery? and hurt feelings? Basically marriage was just tainted for me by this person and I have lost faith in the idea that its a point in ones life where their maturity levels increase a notch.... well I guess at least not for some people.

Social networking now a days has really started to get on my nerves which is conflicting cause I love it so much, its so great when its purpose is used correctly. Think of all the connections, groups, people, networks you can get to in the click of a button? This is so useful to companies, business, organizations, politics and people just trying to organize an event. But this girl has soiled it for me, my faith is now lost in the ability for social network to leave the dark ages of myspace and grow to something productive.  

I really want to hear from other people about this, I really want to know I am not the only person who thinks this way. Please leave some detailed comments and info for me... I really am not a bitch, I am not selfish, I love my life read more of my blog if you don't believe me. 

you can also email me ashleyreneeperry@gmail.com if you don't want your comments on the blog.