Facebook Follies

Gr 9 Up—It's hard to remember a time when Facebook didn't exist. It's become one of the most pervasive multigenerational social networking tools across the globe. However, it is not without pitfalls. The production offers a balanced look at the impact this site has on people around the world. Narrator Ann-Marie McDonald does an effective job as the program documents situations in France, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, and the U.S. to show instances where photos and personal information posted on Facebook garnered unexpected results. While the lives of many of those profiled were damaged as the result of questionable posts and online criminal activity, this information is balanced by instances where Facebook helped change the lives of people for the better. Experts in social media and journalism add interesting and thought-provoking information to many of the scenarios, including those involving three politicians, a girl who inadvertently invited everyone on Facebook to her 16th birthday party, and a woman who posted a picture of herself that resulted in her insurance company canceling her disability benefits. The program discusses the consequences of using a social media site without editorializing, something teens will appreciate. Useful for school and public libraries.—John Clark, Hartland Public Library, ME