The social media phenomenon known as Facebook turns 20 years old this year! It was a year or so after Facebook became a reality that I began hearing talk promoting the application and younger friends and acquaintances began urging me to get involved.

Early on, I was reluctant to sign up for Facebook but by 2010 (or so) I became a member. In the 15 (or so) years that have followed, I have developed a love-hate relationship with it.

For years I have I read complaints about Facebook and its policies, security issues, advertising, screening and on and on. Yes, I have been frustrated too, but at the same time I realize that using Facebook is free. Gratis! If it’s free you’re not in charge.

My greatest frustration with Facebook is the users who abuse the system. Facebook is an opportunity to share your thoughts on any number of issues. Some folks post what they have done that day or what they had to eat at their favorite restaurant. Others post their children’s achievements, their religious convictions or their political opinions.

This all works well until someone decides to disagree with a post. With the relative anonymity provided by the internet some people use their keyboards to become nasty, belligerent and sarcastic. Some Facebook users find it necessary to argue with issues with which they disagree.

After 15 years on Facebook I have learned to scroll past things with which I disagree. I attempt to give others the same right to their opinions (on their pages) that I assume for mine. Facebook users who choose to react nastily to my posts can ultimately be “unfriended” and, as a result, no longer have access to my Facebook page.

One of the benefits of the medium is the positive ways in which it connects people.

Case-in-point: I have inhabited this planet for nearly eight decades and in that time I have lived in two dozen houses/apartments in a dozen communities. These numbers include my childhood years.

Since age five or so, I have made friends and acquaintances in each of those communities. Some of them were neighbors, co-workers, church friends, business owners, customers, bosses, employees, school mates and other opportunities for acquaintance.

Thanks to Facebook I have been able to connect with many of these people from my past and make new acquaintances along the way.

As I have shared in previous columns, my family moved frequently over the years and I attended several schools. My Facebook friends list includes a gal with whom I attended kindergarten more than 70 years ago. Several other former students of that elementary school are Facebook friends as well.

My parents had mutual cousins (it’s all legal!) so I have a couple dozen second-cousins to whom I am twice related and some are as close as some of my first cousins. Many of them are Facebook friends, keeping the family connections alive.

Co-workers from nearly 60 years ago are on my Facebook friends list and I enjoy keeping in touch with them. I lived in Sioux City 14 years and in Creston for 12 years, making dozens of friends along the way. A good number of them are now Facebook friends.

When my wife passed away 12 years ago I received friend requests from people I didn’t know and who themselves had suffered a similar loss. These individuals helped me through a difficult time in my life and I deeply appreciate their acquaintance.

When I celebrated a birthday recently I had scores of good wishes including greetings from a cousin and other acquaintances in Germany. I realize Facebook reminds us of others’ birthdays, but the greetings are appreciated anyway.

Cynics like to minimize the role and value of Facebook friends. While I recognize the superficiality of some Facebook “friendships,” the ability to stay connected with old and new friends and acquaintances is valuable to me.

Facebook can be a pain in the rear if you allow, but it can also be an old man’s joyful way of staying connected to friends and acquaintances he has made along the way.

Arvid Huisman can be contacted at huismaniowa@gmail.com. ©2025 by Huisman Communications.