If you've deactivated or deleted Facebook how has it changed your life?

[wichitalinemanswoman]

Just that really, I'm seeing more and more people leave it and just want to know the reasons why. I've deactivated this month as I normally hate it at the end of school term and over the Summer as it's full of lots of showing off so I've deactivated for a while but I'm seeing the benefits of the break as my Fear of Missing Out has decreased a lot.

I’m no longer glued to my phone screen anymore, no longer being bombarded with constant information that has no importance to me whatsoever, no longer get hurt or upset if certain people ignore my posts or comments. I’ve found my own opinion has become more important to me than the approval of others too.

I did however reactivate my account but only use it on my mobile browser - no app installed and it’s a faff to use the browser. I only have very close family on it now and only use it a few times a year to upload any pics that I want to save

I'm on Mumsnet a lot more

Yes. Deleted fb over 3 years ago and honestly it's lovely not seeing anyone else's drama! I keep in touch with my real friends do it OP!

I tried to delete but I have Young kids and EVERYTHING in my town seems to be organised/arranged/announced via Facebook, from play dates to school events to community litter pick days. So I had to go back on.

I will delete when either people rediscover verbal communication or my kids age out of school...

I deleted about 7 years ago. It was great. Bo longer addicted to it, avoided loads of drama and the nicest thing, when I see people I actually have things to talk about as I haven't seen it all over Facebook first.

I see people and don't know what they've had for dinner
I see people that didn't know I was pregnant and are genuinely surprised and pleased to run into me
And I never have to say 'oh yeah I saw on Facebook' which I was saying nearly every day.
No duck faces
No inspirational quotes
No surprise porn or violent videos

I was also a bit off an idiot about updating my status and started thinking in 'updates'.
I was a twat. At least when I'm a twat now it's not online. Except here

I binned it off at least 7 years ago and never looked back. It was nothing but stealth bragging and bullshit. Nothing about it enriched my life and I have never once missed it. My husband deactivated his account about six months after I did and he wondered why he waited so long.

I deactivated it because:

• it's time consuming to keep up with

• it's mostly incredibly dull

• I found myself really disliking some of my friends' Facebook personas. It was making feel negative things about people I actually really liked usually

• I found some people's posts irritating either for being constantly show-offy, constantly grumpy etc.

I very occasionally wish I had a login now. For example, DDs nursery have a Facebook page I can't access because I'm not a member.

I have never been on it, but I have a few people telling me how I am missing out and the majority tell me how dull it is.

I do understand people using to see photos and keep in touch if you are living in different countries.

I love not being on FB. It has given me back my private life. if you are not on FB you can go under the reader and get out from doing things you don't fancy doing.

Under the radar not the reader 😂

Deactivated 4 weeks ago. Various reasons.
Can honestly say I've not missed it.
No dealings with any social media now.

I’m no longer glued to my phone screen anymore, no longer being bombarded with constant information that has no importance to me whatsoever, no longer get hurt or upset if certain people ignore my posts or comments. I’ve found my own opinion has become more important to me than the approval of others too.

and

I found myself really disliking some of my friends' Facebook personas. It was making feel negative things about people I actually really liked usually.

^This.^

I don't miss it at all and actually think it's a bloody weird place now I'm out of it. Sharing your photos and your life with 300-odd other people, uploading all your personal shit for others to see? Weird.

Also I kept getting hacking attempts on my FB account, about five a week, and my Insta acct actually did get completely hijacked and that made me feel very vulnerable. I now think I'd be insane to post pics of my kids or my life to a personal page that can be hacked by some freaking nut job in Russia or Korea.

And I don't miss it at all. I feel happier than I have for a long time, and I wonder if that has something to do with my quitting FB and Insta. SM just didn't work for me but it took me over ten years to finally admit it to myself, and make steps to recognise it and do something about it. Sure, some people love it, but if you find it affects you by making you at all envious, insecure or worried about other's opinion of you (checking for likes etc) then I think the sensible option is to leave and make your life your own again.

As for staying in touch - real friends do, and those who don't, don't!

YY to many of the PP including thinking people I like IRL are twats.

Also - and maybe I should just grow a pair - feeling like I can't turn down requests from people I see regularly but am not friends with exactly, usually people at work.

I don't miss it at all. I've only deleted the app (months ago) but I'm seriously contemplating deleting my whole account.

One of the last posts I read before I deactivated was a photo of someone's stir fry , I think that was the final straw for me 😂

Same as all other posters. So many benefits, but recently reactivated as everything for baby socials is managed on Facebook. However, I’ve unfollowed all friends and other group things. Took a while to do but I don’t get all the crap from random companies/political groups.

I would do better to deactivate Mumsnet tbh.

I don't get the same feeling about Mumsnet as I did for Facebook, I think they're very different

I feel quite anti-establishment and rebellious for bucking the trend and not being on FB or Insta anymore. I don't want to be another sleepwalking drone selling my soul to some big data-catcher in the sky. I'm me and I'm FREEEE! ]

I have only been off it for a short time. I wanted to come off as I realised that every time I looked at posts I mainly felt cross or either upset. I questioned myself why I felt the need to keep at looking at it especially as it made me feel rubbish.

I feel that it's mainly people just showing off!!

Totally agree Topsy.

I had “friends” that I would actively avoid in the supermarket, got rid of it about a year ago. I do use Instagram, but have a much smaller circle of followers. I now post things there because it feels like a safer space to me.

Yes, me. Turns out I'm not a jealous/insecure maniac after all and what other people do, have or see is of no interest again like it's 1994. Bit late finding out about an odd death or engagement, but it's actually nice to hear about things verbally rather than saying "yeah I saw that..."

I deleted it from my phone at Christmas but I've been sucked in again, for various reasons.

You've all persuaded me to re-quit.