My thoughts on Facebook’s proposed dating service
Have you heard that Facebook’s boss, Mark Zuckerberg wants to introduce a new feature on Facebook that will provide dating services? In case you haven’t, well, he wants to and he’s serious about it.
Zuckerberg announced it early this month while he was addressing those present at the Facebook’s annual F8 developers Conference, in San Jose, California. He said that the focus was to help people find real, long-term partners.
He said he wasn’t interested in what most people would describe as ‘chop and go’ relationship, but the kinds that will last. According to him, “this is going to be for building real long term relationships, not just hookups”.
The interesting part is that, users will be able to create a separate “dating” profile that is visible to the owner alone. Your friends won’t see it, not even your wife (for incurable cheats).
Personally, I think it’s a great idea, but I’m also worried because some people will prevent people like us who are very single from enjoying it. They will spoil it. You know how we behave in this country when it comes to new things. A lot of people will miss use it, sabotage it, and give the country a bad name, even those who shouldn’t be there will jump on it!
Talking about those who shouldn’t be there, Facebook, is the largest social media as of now, and a lot of Nigerians are Facebookers, both the single, married, divorced, dating, those dating-and-not-dating at the same time, those in complicated relationships, and so on.
As we know, every invention has its threats, like I said; some people will hijack it for malicious intentions other than the original motive. Hence, there are people I believe shouldn’t subscribe to the dating feature, and they include:
The married
If you’re in this category, and you love your spouse, I mean, you’re crazy about each other, and you have the best intentions for your home, please, that page isn’t for you. In fact, Zuckerberg didn’t consider you when he made plans for it. So, please, stay in your lane!
You know God works in mysterious ways, so does the devil. Don’t allow him push you. Facebook has a way of being attractive, such that when the feature is launched, people will start talking about it. There will be a rave, one that would tempt you. Do your best to ignore, because it could be your village people at work. When that time comes, (especially the men) don’t say, ‘emmmm, let me just see what these lazy Nigerian youths are doing on this page’. Then you create your own page using a cryptic name, and the first match you get has a name like ‘Hips-don’t-Lie’ or ‘Comfort all the way’ (as if it’s an aircraft).
By now your eyes will begin to pop, you start a conversation with your own wife who was also cajoled by the rave. Or worse still, someone that would create a rift between you and your darling spouse. So if you’re married, you don’t belong there!
The Daters
The married are not the only ones that should avoid using the platform. Those dating too should mind their businesses, and leave what’s ours for us. We’re in a reality where people break up at will. The reasons? Very ridiculous. You’ll hear things like: ‘I’m sorry we can’t work anymore because my brain cannot process yet that I now have a boyfriend’ or ‘you don’t cover your sneeze. So we can’t work’. Hence, breakups have become commonplace and very easy. Unless you are planning not to break-up, don’t use it. If you’re seriously dating with prospects it’s fine but if it is just play with innocent hearts, prohibit yourself with discipline from using it. You’re only permitted to login to Facebook, do a little gossip like me and log out. That’s all! But if you’re planning a break up and you want to join, thumbs up. It doesn’t concern me after all.
The Complicated Ones
You know them. These ones are never sure of anything in their relationships. They are always like; ‘my relationship status is complicated’. Even if the partner is trying, but because they’re not satisfied and expect too much, they’ll infuse complications into a simple matter and end up complicating things themselves. Well, that’s nobody’s problem but before you create your own page, ‘uncomplicate’ the relationship. Talk about it, and find areas of improvement. You may be trying to soil a good thing because you’re distracted. So chill and find out first. Don’t say you’re testing the waters, that could be risky.
Desmond Okon