CARTERSVILLE, Ga. (KABC) — A University of Georgia student is crediting Facebook with helping him stop an armed robbery in progress at his family’s home.
Nitesh Bhakta was inside his room on his laptop when he heard his grandmother scream. The robbers had tied up his grandmother and 17-year-old sister at gunpoint.
When he opened his bedroom door, Bhakta saw several hooded men at the front door. He shut the door and climbed into the attic. Bhakta didn’t have his cell phone so he logged onto his computer.
“I just took it out, opened it up, and got on Facebook and started posting,” said Bhakta. “Facebook was the only thing where I knew I could reach someone instantly that was on chat.”
The student’s best friend alerted police who quickly arrived at the house. One of the suspects was captured. Police were still searching for at least two others.
There are many people who do not think that the internet is useful. Moreover, they think that pages like Facebook is damaging young people’s identity, causing depression and taking too much attention from them. This article proves them wrong. A 17 years old boy helped to catch some people who were going to robbed his home. He climbed up to the attic with his computer, then he went on Facebook and contact one of his friends who called the police. I am so surprised what a young person capable to do. After seeing his family members suffering he had enough courage to call for help. He must loved his computer to have with him, and what a great idea going on Facebook. I don’t know what I would have done in the same situation, but I think asking help on Facebook wouldn’t have been among my options. It is interesting how Facebook became the part of people’s lives. Ten years ago people barely had internet at home, and owning a computer was a luxury. Now, I don’t know anybody who does not have a computer and a Facebook account. I have friends who are singed in on Facebook 24/7 and share everything what they do. I often think that they are addicted to Facebook, however, reading this article I have to admit that being on Facebook can be very useful. We always talk about that we have to be careful what we share with others or how much time we should spend online. What about if people feel safe if they are online? They always have somebody whom they can talk to; never feel alone. The boy in the article was sure he could reach somebody who would help him. Facebook saved their lives. Who knew what Facebook is good for.
I think this article was really interesting, we hear all the time how Facebook is ruining the lives of so many people and poisoning our youth, its nice to read something that actually shows Facebook as being a positive fixture in our lives. Yes, the situation that Bhakta went through is rather rare, but it still counts as a family who was saved by Facebook. I think that the point you also make about people not feeling as lonely now that they have internet and means to communicate with others through a safer setting of their home is also a very valid point. People who may not feel capable of being outspoken in real life situations may open blogs and other social networking accounts to have their voice heard and through these means they are also able to make new friends. Although I do think that the use of Facebook is excessive, it has to an extent become a part of the American daily routine and as we see through this example it has even become secondary to a phone in helping us communicate with the outside world, which is essentially what Facebook was made for, so that we could communicate with others, but this is clearly an extreme case in which facebook was used to communicate in a life or death situation.
One of my biggest fears in the world is home invasion. I’ve literally devised plans in my mind of what I could ever do in that situation, though I’d probably be too frightened to carry them out (as if I’d *actually* make it to the kitchen in time to scare the burglars with my Miracle Blade knife set, haha). However, what Nitesh actually did is probably the closest to the action I would take if I were put in the same position. If you don’t have your phone with you, the ONLY other way to contact others (besides carrier pigeons or Morse code, of course ^_^) is the Internet.
In this case, Facebook was used for quick and effective results in finding help during a home invasion. I’m glad that Facebook is powerful enough to use in dire situations like this–though, again, this all stems back to the fact that we all may rely too heavily on this resource. But, the whole reason Nitesh was able to find help through Facebook was from his friend’s reliance and constant use of this website. As much as we feel like our privacy is at risk or that people put too much of their personal life on display, there are plenty of potential positive uses for Facebook, and this news story demonstrates that perfectly.