topic Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why? in Friends & Family

I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 01:18:48 GMT

So many people say, "Why aren't you on Facebook?" I get less kind versions of that question too! 🙄😲 It just seems like one more thing to "manage" in my life. Also, one more way to get identity thief issues. I communicate with my family and small intimate circle of friends fine without it. Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

postman29 — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 01:59:19 GMT

We never have been on Facebook and never will be. You are so right about the way people ask that question, it's like they take it personally that we aren't on it. We'd rather see family and friends in person or talk over the phone. Facebook is like an invasion of privacy and God knows there's enough of that in the world.

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

DeahWA — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 02:28:15 GMT

I have been on Facebook for longer than I even know, and consequently, I can totally understand why people don't want to be there. I moved there when a professional forum got vindictive, along with many colleagues who were likewise fed up. So for me, I have professional family there, and we've learned how to use the settings to prevent ugly ranting posts from showing up in our feeds, and block problem strangers. I appreciate continuing close connection there.\

I really do understand those who don't want it in their lives. Nothing wrong with that. 😉

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 03:55:59 GMT

@postman29 , Glad to know I'm not the only one getting weird responses when they say they're not on Facebook. Thank you postman. Oh, btw, I'm not on Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or any other social media. Just want to have a simple, streamlined life. Email and a few AARP forums are enough for me. Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 04:04:42 GMT

@DeahWA , So glad you have found settings on Facebook to block problems. I totally understand having to be on Facebook for work. My daughter's career requires a large amount of time involved with social media. Since I'm retired now, and didn't have previous jobs tied in with social media, I just stayed off. Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

AvocadoDog — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 06:49:41 GMT

I resisted Facebook completely for a long time because of my concerns about privacy issues. But a few years ago, I finally decided to create an account to promote something I was working on, using a pseudonym — which evidently is against the rules. (Shh, don't tell Zuckerberg!) After dipping my toe in there that way, I realized it wasn't for me and was glad I didn't use my real name.

I joined "Nextdoor" about seven years ago when there was very few people in my neighborhood on it. I reluctantly used my real name and address, per their requirement. Nextdoor initially seemed very serious about vetting new members — making sure they were actual residents of the neighborhoods they claimed to live in, so I didn't see any way around it even if I wanted to use an alias. Eventually, as more and more people around here joined Nextdoor, I saw posts from obviously phony names. And, shortly after that, the same bad behavior that seems to occur on almost all social media platforms seemed to follow. I don't dare post any neighborhood issues on Nextdoor anymore because of the way the mob dog-piles on everyone.

So far, my experience here on AARP's Community section has been the exception to the rule regarding what I've experienced on most other forms of social media (if this can be defined as such), and I hope this continues.

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

WebWiseWoman — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 14:31:30 GMT

Hi, Christine!

Great post! Thank you for this topic!

I am on FB and have been for a while; I joined tagging along with my then twenty-something daughters... I haven't been "active" there for so long, partially due to unsolicited messages; I check in with the daughters' accounts just to see if I miss a grandchild's pic 😉

That being said, I was an early adopter (charter member #18) of myspace; I miss that very much; seemed to be more interest driven and not as open to commercial users, and abusers.

I think had Mark et al (Eduardo, Andrew, Dustin, Chris) kept it specific to college students, then grown other projects, it would be an entirely different thing now; to me it's as if FB soul was sold...

mho

#StaySafe

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

postman29 — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 15:57:36 GMT

You are not alone. With all of the nastiness going on it's best to keep it to things that make you happy. Thanks for always creating great topics on these forums too. It is very much appreciated!

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

SIMPLEGAL — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 19:31:43 GMT

Always enjoy your posts AvocadoDog!

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 22:55:57 GMT

@WebWiseWoman , Humor, information and a point of view, you really are a wise woman, beyond just the web. 🕸 Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 23:03:40 GMT

@AvocadoDog , A "mob dog-pile", could be a very big mess for an Avocado Dog. Avoid at all costs! Seriously, I'm sorry you have had those experiences. Your cautionary tale makes me more leery about going on social media in general. I'll stick with AARP forums for now. Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Sun, 25 Apr 2021 23:11:03 GMT

@postman29 , Thank you for your kind words. I get a kick out of posting and reading on the forums. Learning a great deal, and some of it is just plain entertaining. Especially enjoy a sense of humor. We could all use more of that in the world! Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

wilful — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 15:34:53 GMT

Altho I am not on FB myself - my bride does roam thru some of it - mainly to see what our relatives Back East are doing. She does not do any posting. Our daughter is the only one of our 5 kids that is on it. Who knows - one day I might join and poke around a bit.

Wow! I hit a wrong key and was suddenly in Print Mode. Thought All was lost, but fortunately stumbled upon a feature here that allowed me to come back and continue my note. Thanks AARP. Better quit while am ahead.

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

st18688804 — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 17:57:48 GMT

I was on Facebook to connect with friends and relatives, then started playing games there. No longer on the site, for many reasons, the main one being messages that were well unsolicited. I also am not on hangouts or any other messaging service except messenger and message (the one that comes with the cell phone. My daughters also aren't on Facebook, they call it Fakebook

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Anonymous — Mon, 03 May 2021 00:27:54 GMT

@Rhymesometimes use to. Left it several times and finally walked away when I retired. As I age, I have no interest in online drama. Great post 🙂

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Anonymous — Mon, 03 May 2021 00:29:10 GMT

Lol @st18688804 luv the fakebook.

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

WanjirusBits — Mon, 17 May 2021 05:18:17 GMT

I've been on Facebook since 2014. Initially, because I wanted a marketplace (it's the biggest in the world) I can sell my books. I also have relatives in faraway places and that's how we keep in touch. It's become a necessity for me. So far, I haven't witnessed anything untoward happen - knock on wood.

Facebook.com/wanjiruwarama

wanjiruwarama.com

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Wed, 19 May 2021 13:04:37 GMT

@st18688804 Thank you for sharing that. It sounds like a great description Fakebook, clever. I'm the first to say I don't have a Facebook life, it's far from perfect, but I'm grateful for my imperfect perfect life! --- Christine

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Jerseystorm — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 19:28:39 GMT

I've been on Facebook for several years. I have family all over the United States and across the globe. It's a great way for all of us to keep in touch and share special moments in our lives through pictures.

Re: I'm not on Facebook. Anyone else not? And why?

Rhymesometimes — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 03:09:17 GMT

@Jerseystorm I'm glad that you have had positive experiences on Facebook, and are able to stay connected internationally.