As if relationships needed more complications; now there is another reason for breakups and messy fights, thanks to Facebook.com. The use of Facebook can be beneficial and help expand people’s networks, but it can also cause multiple problems especially among personal relationships. Facebook has become very popular and it’s been used by a large number of people.

“Facebook is good to meet new people and for mingling, especially to stay in touch with your friends,” said Idelsa Rodriguez, a John Jay College student. “I have lost many friends and a boyfriend thanks to Facebook, because of gossip and negative comments that were created,” said Perla Santos. There are some that argue that in reality is the person’s responsibility to control and use Facebook with moderation. “I have been a Facebook member since 2009 and I have never had any problems with any one, I think that if you use it with the right intentions it is harmless and more beneficial to expand your network,” said Jasmine Hernandez.

Many users feel that Facebook can impact your relationships negatively and there are many that argue that it can be a good thing. “I love Facebook, I have reconnected with so many classmates from middle school and since is international I even stay in touch with my family in Central America,” said Dialena Diaz. Facebook has been created with the idea to be fun and beneficial not a place to expose its users. “This has been the most creative creation, thanks to Facebook I was able to reconnect with people that I though I will never hear from again,” said James Florencio, a student at Bronx Community College.

”The fact is, our privacy hangs in the balance every time we go online, we have to be very careful with what and how we write things especially if you are in a relationship,” said Crystal Curtis, employee of John Jay College Day Center. “People tend to reconnect with their past relationships, which jeopardizes with their current relationship at the same time you can meet new people and become interested in someone else and decide to leave you boyfriend or girlfriend for the new person you just met in Facebook,” said Jelissa Pena, a student at John Jay College. Relationships are usually put in jeopardy but this can increase once the person creates a Facebook profile and puts a “single” status instead of their real status “in a relationship”. Can you imagine your boyfriend or girlfriend having an account without your knowledge? “My ex-boyfriend and I had been dating for almost 1 year when one of my friends told me that he had a Facebook account, I could not believe it but it was true and to make matters worse he had that he was “single” in his profile,” said Monica Moore, a student at Bronx Community College. “My friend has an account and saw his name in one of her other friend’s blog, I ended up creating an account to make sure it was not a mistake and it was him,” said Monica. “There is no respect some girls don’t really care if the guy is in a relationship, they still comment in their pictures thing like “you are so hot” or “you can hit me up whenever you want” this girls are just crazy,” added Monica.

There are some people that simply join the social networking world because they see it as a trend and want to be part of it. Following trends may not work for every one, and it may lead to chaos in their personal lives. “In reality I started to use Facebook because all my friends were using it, so I wanted to be part of it, but I soon realized that it was a waste of time and it created problems with my girlfriend,” said Luis Fuentes, a student. “She was constantly competing against my other female friends for my attention and it showed me how insecure she really was, it was big turn off for me,” said Luis Fuentes.

Facebook can be good for some but it can also be very negative for others. It all depends on how you control the usage, and its good to have a notion of protecting your privacy. The usage should be fun and helpful instead of dramatic and chaotic.

Jessie Juarez