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Original poster

Anyone not on social media?

52 replies

BasinHaircut · 26/12/2018 21:59

I think I want (need?) to come off social media. I think that we lose so much of our lives to it (well I do), not posting but just mindlessly scrolling through Instagram and Facebook etc.

I really don’t need to see an Xmas pic of Chris from school and his family. I don’t know this person really. Haven’t seen or spoken to them for 30 years. WTF!

There seem to be some things (such as one of DS’s clubs that communicate with parents through a Facebook group but I could probably get around that somehow.

Will I feel liberated by removing this distracting mindless shit from my life?

OP posts:

Bubba1234 · 27/12/2018 07:55

I deactivated fb but log in every now and again. It’s not that anything on it annoys me it’s just looking at pics of other people’s lives and kids and holidays it’s just dsnt interest me.
I’m only interested in my own life.
I have my friends phone numbers and I’d rather meet physically so they can tell me their news instead of having nothing to say cos it’s like aw ye seen that on fb.
Fb had its place but now it’s quite mundane only 3 or 4 people does statuses now.
I do like Instagram. I spend way too much time on it. When I deleted it for a while I felt happier. But it’s something to do when your sitting down relaxing. I should delete it for a while again.

areyoubeingserviced · 27/12/2018 07:55

Not on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook or any of the other social media outlets
I think that my mental health would suffer if I were

OldGrinch · 27/12/2018 08:04

I have never had a FB account, can't bear the idea of it. I used to know a woman who always posted pics of her perfect family life on it, her DC were same ages as mine and though I didn't have an account on FB I was aware of some of this shite and literally spend years feeling my life and family were inadequate in comparison. Eventually it turned out that the FB perfect family was a total sham, she was having an affair, her husband had turned to drink and social services were even involved , I think FB is evil. I have WhatsApp and find that works very well for keeping up with friends and family

SheStoodInTheStorm · 27/12/2018 08:11

I'm with you @StorminaBcup I'd like to come off it but I do use groups and it's been a good way to find out about events etc that I wouldn't have otherwise known about.

LadyRochfordsFrostedGusset · 27/12/2018 08:30

I stick to Insta now: just post a photo every so often, of anything, not just me; hashtag something or not. Suits me. Can't be arsed with the rest of it.

Oh and Whatsapp for free communication with family and friends here and abroad. .

Original poster

BasinHaircut · 27/12/2018 16:43

Well I have deactivated Facebook today.

Kept Instagram for now but I find that far less of a time thief so will see how it goes.

OP posts:

thefuriousfuggler · 27/12/2018 17:17

Um - am I being dense or is Mumsnet not "social media"?

Sparklingbrook · 27/12/2018 17:23

I don't consider MN to be 'social media' in that everyone is anonymous. It's more chat with internet strangers as far as I am concerned.

I am not posting pictures of my dinner/family/holiday/new car and there's nobody I 'know' on here.

I have no internet prescence under my real name that anyone could search for.

SilverySurfer · 27/12/2018 17:43

I've never been on any unless you count MN. I am totally disinterested in constant reporting of people's lives and endless selfies. Nor do I understand this thing of 'following' people on various things who you don't know and have never met. It's an alien concept to me.

OutPinked · 27/12/2018 17:45

I deleted FB years ago. It’s more trouble than it’s worth imo. I still have Instagram but only because it’s drama free and I enjoy looking at art and photography. I’m not on it to glare at random people’s selfies or arses.

DustyMaiden · 27/12/2018 17:47

Are you asking on social media, if anyone is not on social media?

Sparklingbrook · 27/12/2018 17:48

Social media to me is Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/Snapchat with recognisable stuff on it.

littleleeleanne · 27/12/2018 17:49

Deleted all social media around 3-4 years ago! Best thing I ever did.

dontcallmelen · 27/12/2018 17:53

Never had a FB or instagram accounts, as I’m sure if I did I would waste hours on it or getting annoyed in equal measure, have managed perfectly well keeping in touch with friends & family.

PawneeParksDept · 27/12/2018 18:51

MN is anonymous topical Internet forum

Such forums existed way prior to the "social media" phenomenon which is personal image and ideas based.

It's not and never has been social media

Darcey37 · 27/12/2018 19:45

I may get rid of Facebook. The problem is if you feel a bit low and then see everyone living these amazing lives, going to amazing places, perfect family etc etc. It's the best version of themselves that people put out there, and it can be hard to remember this.

Sometimes I'm like 'why am I looking at Snotty Sharon from school's holiday pictures?' It's a waste of time. I also think lots of people do things just so they can get the pic to put on social media, so everyone is now carefully curating their lives to make it social media worthy.

I have Instagram and have it private so just close friends and family - no riff raff. My Facebook has ex colleagues and people from school I wouldn't talk to in real life.
I need to extricate myself. Dd has a group that keeps in touch via fb so just need to figure that out 🤔

LadyRochfordsFrostedGusset · 27/12/2018 20:01

Yep Darcy.

I was becoming more and more bored with FB anyway. Then I got divorced and loads of ex-in-laws, random acquaintances plus psycho OW were stalking.

My Insta's private!

Although those batshit MLMs still try to add me.

LadyRochfordsFrostedGusset · 27/12/2018 20:02

Darcey sorry.

RunSweatLaughAndLatte · 27/12/2018 20:07

I haven't deactivated it yet but I deleted the app off my phone. I want to avoid using it for a good length of time because I don't think anyone I have on it actually particularly cares about me. Those who care about me will be in my life without social media

sunshineNdaisies · 27/12/2018 20:25

As a deaf person, facebook helps me to communicate and stay in touch with the world as I struggle with telephone/skype etc. I also have family abroad and social media helps me stay in touch.

If it weren't for the above, I probably would not use these sites because its full of shite really

Giggorata · 27/12/2018 20:36

I haven’t ever had any accounts on social media; it all seems like far too much work.
I am on a few forums, MN being one.

HairyToity · 27/12/2018 20:41

I left all social media at the start of the year. I use WhatsApp to keep in touch. No regrets.

Nuggetsandwich · 27/12/2018 20:48

I deleted Facebook 15 go and don't miss it at all. Haven't managed to get rid of Instagram though.

Nuggetsandwich · 27/12/2018 20:48

*months ago

thefuriousfuggler · 28/12/2018 11:44

@DustyMaiden

Just a few random definitions from a quick chat with Mr Google:

Social media - noun - websites and applications that enable users to create and share content or to participate in social networking.

Websites and applications dedicated to forums, microblogging, social networking, social bookmarking, social curation, and wikis are among the different types of social media.

Websites and computer programs that allow people to communicate and share information on the internet using a computer or mobile phone

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