New changes to Facebook’s messaging system include the ability to set filters on which messages you see.

Discussion:  Facebook had installed a new feature that allows users to pay $1 to send a message to anyone outside their network.  Normally, when you send a message to someone outside your network, the message lands in an “other” folder with miscellaneous spam and message that are not from a designated “friend”.  By paying $1, the sender is guaranteeing that the message will land in the sendee’s inbox.  This new feature could potentially cut down on spam, because spammers would have to pay $1 to send a message in your inbox.  The feature is an interesting way for Facebook to address spam problems, and to make some money.

Source:  CNN News

Date:  December 21, 2012

Link:  http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/20/tech/social-media/facebook-messaging-changes/index.html

Discussion Questions:

• Why is Facebook continually looking for new revenue streams?
• Why would anyone want to pay money to send a message?