Letters: November 20, 2009

Be careful
Facebook is a social networking website that is open to millions of people ("First Facebook libel case heard", Gulf News, November 18). Whatever you put on the internet would somehow be read by people, as the information gets passed from one person to another very quickly. A person should always think twice before uploading some information or document on Facebook. As an advice, never put anything that is related to work or anything that would insult somebody. Yes, we are entitled to our own opinions, but many cultures and people are not open to criticism, jokes and sharing of personal views.
Mr Quay,
Dubai

Use it right
Most of us have registered ourselves on Facebook for the same reason — to stay connected. There are several other social networking websites, but we chose this one due to the facilities and options on offer. I personally make good use of the privacy settings. Facebook users would understand when I refer to the ‘limited profile' — it allows the user to hide all the information he or she wants to keep private. Only a handful of people can visit my actual profile and see my pictures and contact information. There are those that choose to misuse the internet for their benefit. To assume everybody is the same would be wrong. I personally think that we should all only add those people to our profiles who we could trust. It is a facility provided by the creators — let us use it correctly and allow it to fulfil its purpose.
Ms Rubeena Karim,
Sharjah

Safer than others
All these incidents wouldn't have occurred if the person concerned had blocked the business partner after having seen the comments. The whole issue would have stopped there itself. There are social networking sites, which are not private and even the contact details of a user can be seen by the general public. But, Facebook is quite protected and advanced when compared to other similar sites.
Mr Sanish Cherian,
Dubai

Calm down
I think people have forgotten the angle of this report. It is one incident that highlights the misuse of a social networking website. Yes, what the Syrian business partner did was wrong. But, to assume that the website is responsible is a mistake. How you use a facility is your decision. Most of us are registered on Facebook today, but we would never imagine hurting another user in any way. Thus, people who are asking for the website to be banned need to calm down and think logically. If a person has bad intentions, he or she will find a way to cause harm. Unfortunately, Facebook was the tool used in this case.
Mr Jaye Morris,
Ras Al Khaimah

A victim
I was a victim on another networking website. Other users uploaded some incorrect data and said bad things about me, which is destroying my reputation. But I'm not sure who the person responsible is, because he or she is using an alias and a random photograph on the profile. I was considering reporting it to the authorities, too. I think every person has the right to express his or her feelings, but should be careful about every word they utter. The sites are misused by several users. It is not good to say something wrong on behalf of the others, especially on a networking website as this is available worldwide and visible to everyone. If you have a problem with the person it is better to talk to each other and resolve the issue. However, if this does not work, it is then the right time to seek the help of the authorities.
A reader,
Sharjah

Surprising events
Dependence on Facebook has grown over the past few years. It is no longer just a social networking website. However, it should not be blocked entirely — some measures should be taken to control its use. I think this specific case is surprising for most of the users who were barely aware that such a situation could arise, thus making people a bit more careful and aware while using Facebook.
Mr Sameer Mirza,
Sharjah

Continuing issues
Facebook is not the problem. If someone wants to cause harm to another, he or she will find a way. Libel and slander existed before Facebook and they will continue, whether the social networking website exists or not.
Ms Anna,
Dubai

Budding community
We all have to utilise and use Facebook in the right way! Blocking the website is not a good decision. If it is blocked, tomorrow another communication website will be launched with a different name. Instead of blocking it, educate people on how to use it in the correct manner. It's a social community — if someone doesn't like it, do not register yourself there.
Mr Shihab,
Ras Al Khaimah

Changing times
Let us take a step back and see why Facebook was created. It is used by millions of people around the world to keep in touch with friends and family. It forms a platform through which people can share photos and videos. It has changed how people communicate. If certain individuals take advantage of this freedom and instigate others, it is not the network or other users' fault. If we have a problem with certain people on Facebook, we should either report them to the moderators or personally modify our accounts to avoid them.
A reader,
Dubai

Don't punish all
There are so many social networking sites that help people get in touch with old friends and family. I don't think Facebook should be banned due to such an incident. There are options on the site where you can report such activity and the moderators will delete the violator's account. Why make it difficult for the rest of us just because someone posted harsh words?
Mr Abhay,
Sharjah

Staying connected
Despite all the facts, Facebook is a huge social network and has become a part of our lives. We can be in touch with our friends and family and remain up to date with their status regardless of how busy we are. Banning the site is not a solution. It would, in fact, upset a lot of users. We live far away from our close relatives and this is the only way to stay in touch and see their pictures. If some people misuse the website, then it should be their problem and everyone should not be held responsible.
Ms Ansar,
Dubai

Your choice
User accounts on Facebook are personal and the people they add as friends are entirely their choice. Why do you need to stay connected to a person who is not respecting you? Whoever has said that Facebook should be blocked is wrong! Don't be a part of that network if you don't like it.
Ms Adeela Mushtaq,
Dubai

Irritating manner
There have always been people who are ignorant of proper social conduct. The internet is just giving people too many chances to abuse the human tendency to overreact when they are upset. But, if somebody annoyed me and interfered in my business, I would probably dislike him or her a lot, too. We also need to take a look at why the person did what he did, because there are many people who get under your skin and just trigger you.
Ms Kripa,
Abu Dhabi

Think before you speak
This case is quite simple — Facebook is a social networking website and the Syrian businessman just expressed his feelings. That's it! But, I do think people should think before they say something.
Mr Rahul,
Abu Dhabi

Common occurrence
Don't shoot the messenger. Some of us think people with a gripe should walk around with tape over their mouths, lest they say something offensive. People talk — they talk in person, on the phone, to the media and on social networks. It's human nature. At least this Syrian defendant had the courage to admit he was guilty. It is a case of bad blood between people and that, sadly, is a common occurrence.
A reader,
Dubai

Stop them
Electronic networks allow users to use harsh words, which can easily hurt or offend someone. The new generation exploits such freedom! Values, respects and ethics don't matter at such forums, which makes the users extremely vulnerable. Please stop the use of such networks.
Ms Shine,
Dubai

Private lives
It was really very sad to read about the abuse of Facebook. It is the website through which we can connect with our friends and relatives and share our pictures and videos in order to minimise the distance between our loved ones. There are certain groups of people who take advantage of every good facility and we cannot stop them. The best we can do is make our profiles strictly private and accessible to only our close ones so that such cases can be avoided.
Ms Benish Yasir,
Dubai

Life altering
Do not blame Facebook — blame the anti-social personalities. They seem to enjoy wrecking other people's lives. But, what if some of the posted comments were true? Then we would not have the right to be upset. After all, we are all responsible for our own actions. I am a victim of cyber bullying and I was devastated, because I lost somebody who meant a lot to me. That incident completely changed my life.
Ms Joy,
Dubai

Responsibilities
This has nothing to do with Facebook. The moderators or the website itself does not put up information. It is the people who upload the data. Thus, they are responsible.
Ms Nehan,
Sharjah

Forgotten arguments
There is nothing offensive on Facebook and to claim otherwise would be wrong. It is one of the few websites where you can express your views. Arguments can be harsh and could be initiated by either side, but that doesn't mean it's abusive. Do people remember any arguments when they wake up the next day? I personally disagree with this whole issue.
Tauseef,
Lahore, Pakistan

Immature behaviour
What the Syrian businessman did was very immature. If you have a problem with somebody, take it to court and settle it in a decent manner — not play the fool on a social networking website and insult a person. This was very unprofessional. I also read some comments by other readers about blocking similar websites. I think that is not acceptable, for several reasons.
Mr Mikhail Fernandes,
Sharjah

Be responsible
We are all adults or have people forgotten this important aspect? As adults we are expected to behave in a responsible manner - irrespective of the forum.
Ms Asha V,
Dubai