Facebook is one of the largest social networking sites.

As of late 2012, Facebook reached over a billion users, 50 million of which are teens ages 13-17.

However, having one is not completely necessary. As a person without a Facebook account, I believe that it is not a necessity.

I personally have chosen not to create a Facebook because of all of the risks and excessive procrastination that is potentially involved with having one.

Facebook can lead to more than just procrastination outside of school. For many students, it is a distraction inside of the classroom. I often see students using their cell phones in class changing their status or writing comments on Facebook.

Even with its “protections,” Facebook shows other people things you have said, “liked,” taken pictures of, what other people may have taken of you, and many other personal things you may not want to have a future employer see or judge you based on your Facebook history.

Recently, a Carlmont student had her facebook profile picture taken and abused on another website. This goes to show that Facebook is not as secure as many Carlmont students may think.

In an article by Lauren Bayne Anderson, she wrote, “It’s the not so ‘new’ thing. Potential employers (or current ones) looking at your Facebook page to glean information about your personal life—and make a decision on whether or not to hire (or fire) you!”

I plan on going to a good college and trying to get a nice job in the near future. I would hate it if I was turned away from either of these based on the content I might have on a social media account.

Before schools accept students and employers hire, they go through background checks to learn about your personal history. The first place they often look is on Facebook, which is a gateway into your personal and “private” life.

Imagine they find something on your Facebook that they believe is not how an employee of their should be acting or doing. You would be sacrificing your potential job position or acceptance into the college of your dreams. And for what, just some silly posts?

Michael Phelps’ swimming career was tainted when someone at a party posted a picture of him doing something illegal.

I have heard stories of people procrastinating on Facebook and then needing to give their password to a friend during finals week to prevent them from accessing their main distraction.

Say a student spend about 10 hours on Facebook each week. It would, in theory be more productive to use those hours on studying in order to boost a grade or a report cards.

There is not much to be gained from having a Facebook account. The only thing it provides is a way to make and keep “relationships” with your “friends” and family. But it can also open the door to creepy stalker kids to find out way more about you than they should.