2008 Woodie Awards
Main sources of procrastination found on Web sites
Vanessa White
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: FUSE
Originally published: 10/4/07 at 10:06 PM EST
Last update: 10/4/07 at 10:05 PM EST
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Are you a user or an abuser?
For many college students, blogs are a way to remain informed of the day-to-day info about friends and family, and an amusing way of allowing others access to who those individuals are.
Sites such as Myspace and Facebook may be searched constantly throughout the day, as often as each time the student logs on to a computer - prior to his or her actual homework.
"I have to check it when I wake up," junior Raquel Matthews said.
"I need to know what's going on in people's lives. You don't want to go up to somebody and say, 'Hey how's your boyfriend doing?' and then find out they broke up a week ago. Facebook relationship status lets me know what's going on," she said.
This year, females were surveyed in the 17-25 age group by eMarketer.com.
Sixty-eight percent of them chose Facebook as their favorite Web site, and 38 percent favored Myspace.
When males were surveyed, however, the percentage decreased to 56 percent in favor of Facebook and only 14 percent favored Myspace.
What is it about blog sites that lure students into a trap of continual distraction?
Myspace, for one, has the capabilities for users to make their own background layout, place background music and videos on their page, and give viewers personal info in their own chosen style.
How could a site like this not be entertaining?
And if this is not enough to keep viewers occupied for nearly 15 minutes, the photo images they view on a user's page are sure to keep curious eyes open for hours.
The section for comments has the potential to destroy relationships if the user is not careful enough to secure the page and access approvals before comments are posted.
Despite all the perks and entertainment of Myspace, there are some who do not spend excess time on the site.
"I go on maybe once a day, if that," said junior Jessica Dinald.
Facebook is a bit more limiting in the sense that you cannot have a personal background on your page.
However, you are capable of sampling background music, uploading photos and videos onto your page.
There is also an application which allows you to cyber poke, kiss, buy a drink, and even throw sheep at somebody.
Blogs, although distracting at times, can be a useful way of communication.
"That's how me and my family talk," said Neisha Evans-Staye.
"I have cousins in Germany. There's no way I'm gonna call them on the phone. Myspace is convenient and free," she said.
For many college students, blogs are a way to remain informed of the day-to-day info about friends and family, and an amusing way of allowing others access to who those individuals are.
Sites such as Myspace and Facebook may be searched constantly throughout the day, as often as each time the student logs on to a computer - prior to his or her actual homework.
"I have to check it when I wake up," junior Raquel Matthews said.
"I need to know what's going on in people's lives. You don't want to go up to somebody and say, 'Hey how's your boyfriend doing?' and then find out they broke up a week ago. Facebook relationship status lets me know what's going on," she said.
This year, females were surveyed in the 17-25 age group by eMarketer.com.
Sixty-eight percent of them chose Facebook as their favorite Web site, and 38 percent favored Myspace.
When males were surveyed, however, the percentage decreased to 56 percent in favor of Facebook and only 14 percent favored Myspace.
What is it about blog sites that lure students into a trap of continual distraction?
Myspace, for one, has the capabilities for users to make their own background layout, place background music and videos on their page, and give viewers personal info in their own chosen style.
How could a site like this not be entertaining?
And if this is not enough to keep viewers occupied for nearly 15 minutes, the photo images they view on a user's page are sure to keep curious eyes open for hours.
The section for comments has the potential to destroy relationships if the user is not careful enough to secure the page and access approvals before comments are posted.
Despite all the perks and entertainment of Myspace, there are some who do not spend excess time on the site.
"I go on maybe once a day, if that," said junior Jessica Dinald.
Facebook is a bit more limiting in the sense that you cannot have a personal background on your page.
However, you are capable of sampling background music, uploading photos and videos onto your page.
There is also an application which allows you to cyber poke, kiss, buy a drink, and even throw sheep at somebody.
Blogs, although distracting at times, can be a useful way of communication.
"That's how me and my family talk," said Neisha Evans-Staye.
"I have cousins in Germany. There's no way I'm gonna call them on the phone. Myspace is convenient and free," she said.
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