Tagged: How Facebook has conquered our lives

It may have started off as a social network forum for friends to catch up, chitchat or meet new people. And yet over the years, Facebook has become an integral part of daily modern living, where business is made,  where some marriages incubate and where serious activism goes on. From the murky waters of revenge porn to spiritual nourishment offered by different Church organisations; from breaking news to making headlines, Facebook is the trendsetter for much of what we do today. As the world marks the first UN Social media day today, CAROL NATUKUNDA looks at the impact of Facebook on our lives. 

Assuming that the group is about an ideal that affects my life or loved ones. But then again, I am against people who just add me to groups that I would not want to be in.

Still, there is always one way to find out — stay in the group and quietly follow the feeds and threads; spy on the profiles of people who regularly post; read and marvel at how grown educated men and women lay themselves bare to all and sundry on these forums.

When Facebook was launched over a decade ago, it was nothing more than messaging and chats. Not anymore. Suddenly, individualised Facebook groups are the real deal. I mean, I do not have to wake up and get trapped into the crazy traffic jam downtown Kampala, when all I would need is to ask the ‘operation no pothole’ group members to give me an update on the state of roads and traffic. A couple of friends are hanging out, and are worried about the “breatherlyser.”

A Facebook group comes in handy to give them tricks on how to dodge this trap. Not that I would condone driving under the influence of alcohol. It is just something that only social media gurus can explain, perhaps.

With Facebook, I have said goodbye to calling out my friends on a Friday like this and ask them where the ‘progie’ is. In fact, even weeks before a housewarming party, I would have already got a Facebook invite which gives me an option to click ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or Maybe.

I am now able to respond within seconds to an invitation to a party or business event. It is also a lot easier for me, as the party organiser, to scroll through my friends list when deciding who to invite. I have seen friends launch Facebook groups for their weddings and kwanjulas, and it is all effortless to keep track of the attendees or people who matter, anyway. And while you are at it, the potential employer might be around the corner.

There are rumours of employers typically investigating the personal Facebook pages of applicants.

Problem is what the majority of us post on social office environment. So, if a prospective employer discovered that my timeline is full of posts about liquor, would he or she have second thoughts about my ability to work ethics?

The real Facebooker these days is smarter than that. They have two accounts: One in their official names and the other, in their ‘wild’ or nicknames to hide themselves within the Facebook community. This may cause small problems for friends when searching for someone, but as a protection while job-hunting; it’s probably worth the risk.

And speaking of employers, if you have a company that doesn’t have a page on social media, just be sure it is as good as dead. With Facebook’s “like” feature, people are able to “like” a business’ page, and add it to their friends list.

The company is then able to promote for free to anyone who is the individual’s friend. From telecoms to banks and public figures, everyone has joined the bandwagon to generate interest. But that had better match with the quality services.
 

With Facebook, companies often receive a good bashing left right and centre. And once your image on social media is gone, it’s the end of your story. As ever the observant Facebooker, it is all humorous to read, of course. I do not need anyone’s company when I can get all the drama and entertainment that there is on this forum. Just a tap away at my phone and I get it all.

It is just that many of us are unknowingly becoming introverts. You hardly talk to your housemate because you are busy tapping at the phone and giggling to yourself. My data bundle expires and I find myself stressed out because I am missing out on this fracas. But in-between the commotion, a friend loses a loved one, and I am able to see the announcement.

A mother has a sick child, and Facebook friends, even those she barely knows, are fundraising. The wedding and graduation pictures are all being shared and re-shared.

Which means I do not have to visit you to check out the good old album when there is a digital one. For better or worse, Facebook has changed us. 

Dating on Facebook

But who actually knew that Facebook would change the face of dating, relationships today? Someone said Facebook should be blamed for infidelity and all! Judging from the relationship forums, it would appear that everyone is in a ‘complicated’ (forgive the pun) relationship.

We see posts about pictures of their husbands and families, but that is always limited to the individual timelines. Move over to the closed groups and you are in for a shock. It is hard to believe that spouses stab each other in the back on social media — more so to people they do not know.

Problem is everyone on Facebook has an answer to a problem raised. Meanwhile, if you kept commenting on a particular man’s post, or liking their photos, it is quickly mistaken for flirting, igniting an argument or fight almost instantly. Just ask the Beautiful Modern Mamas forum members. Those women are “something else.”


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POPULAR FACEBOOK GROUPS


Facebook groups have become an important forum for like-minded people to virtually meet, discuss and in some cases cause action. But just how far might these groups go to influencing people’s lives? What do Ugandans get up to in these now popular groups anyway? CAROL NATUKUNDA further looks at some of the most trending and interesting Facebook Groups in Uganda.
 

‘Kafuwemu’ Alerts

Do not drink and drive. But we all know this is a myth is Kampala. It is not the accidents that the members of this group are worried about. It is the traffic cop and his breathalyser (kawunyemu). Except, the administrator had to satirically call it: Kafuwemu. The group shares tips on how to dodge the Kawunyemu.

Previously, the first group used to be “Breathalyser traffic cops alert.” But some people say this was infiltrated by traffic cops. So, they had to join this group.


Operation Kampala no pothole

This was started at a time when potholes were the song of the day in Kampala. We cursed and cursed until some genius started this group. The group alerts each other on the good roads to take so you do not have to waste time in traffic. If on a rainy day, the roads are flooded, someone is likely to post a picture of the particular road. That way, you know what you are getting into if you have to go through Kamwokya or Clock Tower.

They also keep updates on which roads were shoddily done. You will, for instance, find posts like: “The new Jinja Road stretch between Wampewo roundabout and Nakawa is no longer a smooth drive. Bumps developing and marked lane lines disappearing. Have you noticed that?”


Mama Tendo Foundation

Mama Tendo (Catherine Ruhweza) made her name through her parenting column in New Vision. I can bet that when she opened up this group, she probably hoped it could be a forum where mothers could share their parenting experiences. If you were probably a new mother and needed tips on breastfeeding and housemaids, you needed to look no further than this forum which has now grown to over 12,000 members.


Beautiful Modern Mamas (BMM)

It is believed that some of the members on the current Mama Tendo page were deleted from the BMM for always clashing with the founder members. BMM is at another level. They are likely to lose temper and abuse themselves over a post they do not agree with. They seem to be sophisticated women, capable of holding every situation together, except well, their marriages. The scary bit is; just like the Mama Tendo mums, these, too, openly discuss about their husbands, including sex.


Single ladies/men here waiting

You are single and searching? Join this group! Except, you are likely to see some faces of married people in here. It goes beyond searching. People also share problems that come with being single.


Coalition against persecuted men

Just like the mothers are ganging up in their own forum, this group is about men who are frustrated with their relationships. These range from those who have been denied conjugal rights, to those who have been battered by their spouses. They talk about why you should not trust a woman and why the new movement should be about men’s rights, not women’s.


Ugandans at Heart

Perhaps you are not following closely the news and happenings in Uganda? Do not worry. This group will constantly update you. It is mainly the Ugandans in diaspora who always have something to talk about. They scrutinise every quote that a politician utters. Somehow, it also has some of the brewing scandals in public institutions, as well as marital scandals of the politicians. It has over 71,000 members.


Trade links

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