Redefining Friends?

Dictionary.com defines a friend as "A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard," and "A person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile." (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/friend)

A friend is someone whom I have a relationship with that extends beyond platonic acquaintance, requires relational upkeep, and offers an interchange of time and effort. For the most part I would have previously considered these relationships to occur within a face-to-face context. However, as I read chapter one of "Power Friending-by Amber Mac," (which is the literature that provides the basis of this assignment as I grapple with the effects that social media has on the student population here at Briercrest) I was struck with the casualness that the "friend" word is tossed around in our network focused society.

Let's take a look at the social networking site that has attracted over 350 million users. First, I can't even fathom that number of people in one place, yet here they congregate on a blue and white web page where nothing is left to secrecy and everything is available for public scrutiny. Yes, I for one have fallen into this addictive trap and spend way more time than necessary browsing photos, writing messages and instant messaging. However, now that I spend time contemplating the effects of this modern phenomenon, it is starting to become clear how Facebook has revolutionized (and not necessarily for the better) the concept of a "friend."
Allow me to provide a common occurrence that I know from experience occurs here at Briercrest on a regular basis. One finds themselves walking the limited halls of Briercrest to some class when they realize they are walking besides an individual that is simultaneously entering the same class. After a brief conversation about program, year of study, dorm status, and inevitably name, all interaction is stunted by the professor calling the class to "bow their heads in prayer." Class continues and life continues without much thought of the newly acquainted individual. Until that is, a few hours later one logs onto Facebook and sees the red (1) beside the friend request logo. 'So and so classmate' is requesting to be friends and unless there are some serious reservations about the pending request, usually little thought is given to clicking the "confirm" button. These two individuals may never have another face-to-face conversation, yet Facebook hold their status as friends. What is our world coming to that friendship is now defined by a little red (1).

Friends without strings attached is what comes to mind when I think of what Facebook has turned friendship into. Detachment between friends no longer requires a falling-out or distance because of location, rather "unfriending" someone occurs at the click of a button. Ridiculous.

Don't get me wrong, I am thankful for the ability I have to connect with friends I don't see every day. Sometime though, I wonder if the value of friendship is beginning to dwindle because of social media.