hat once started as a social media site just for college students, the Facebook demographic has changed drastically since its beginning. Now, anyone in the world has access to this website without having to lie about their age or occupation to become a member. There are no restrictions or limitations; it is a free-for-all. From sharing personal information like gender and birthdays to status updates and pictures, Facebook was made as a place for people to connect with one another.

I think it is pretty safe to say that most of us have or have had a Facebook account, but what we choose to do with that account varies from person to person. Some people choose to use Facebook just to post pictures, ranging from the ever-famous “selfies” to what trip they just went on. Others are status-happy and feel the need to post about every move they make because they think the world needs to know exactly what they’re doing. Some of us just log on to our accounts so we can scroll through our newsfeed and “creep” on whatever person we feel like stalking. We have all done it, so there is no reason to be ashamed; sometimes it just happens unintentionally.

Since pictures and statuses are the main functions of Facebook, people take advantage of the tools provided. We all have that one friend who takes the “What’s on your mind?” question way too seriously. They go off on tangents and start some unnecessary problems with their friends that they probably do not even really know in real life, and we all sit back, relax and watch the Internet arguments occur. While I personally find fighting over the Internet a huge waste of time, that does not mean people do not do it. Then, we all have that friend that posts every picture they have ever taken in their lifetime. We have all seen pictures of parties we did not attend, trips we were not on and the endless amounts of self-shots. I would not necessarily say that one function is used more than the other, because it really is up to the user. Of course, there is always that one friend who decides to use both tools to the maximum, which can get irritating really fast, but, regardless, I don’t feel that one function is used more favorably.

While Facebook is widely known, there are other social media sites that are used just as much. I believe these other sites such as Twitter, Instagram and Vine are becoming more popular than Facebook. Each site allows you to perform almost all of the same functions as Facebook. However, the person who always Tweets, Vines or posts a new Instagram picture tends to not get as annoying as the person that is always updating their Facebook. Another huge factor that I think plays a part in the rise of these other social media sites is the smartphone. I personally feel like it is easier to take a quick scroll through the tweets and pictures than it is to log in to your Facebook and go through that newsfeed. These other sites are also made for the purpose of a smartphone, so it is more convenient for the user. The Internet is all about fast and easy.

If there is one thing I think we can always count on, it is the fact that technology and social media will always be evolving. I am sure we all remember when we had an AOL screen name and spent our nights chatting to our friends on AIM. Next, there was the Myspace phase that we all went through. However, just because these newer sites are just as popular, I do not think that Facebook is going anywhere any time soon. It has been holding its own through the years and is constantly changing to stay up to date.

I think there will come a time when the world will be saying “Do you remember Facebook?” just like they did when Myspace and AOL were coming to an end, but I do not see that happening any time soon. Even if we don’t go on Facebook a thousand times a day, we still check it at least once or twice a week.

We are addicted to the Internet like it is going out of style. We share our lives on the web even though we know it is not always the smartest or safest decision to make. It is how our generation is, and it will continue through the generations to come. Facebook may not be forever, but I think it will be here to stay longer than we think.