What's good about Facebook?

[LaMarschallin]

I'm not on it.

The only SM I use is MN.

But - goodness me! - the amount of threads started by posters who are cross with something read on FB is very large indeed.

If it's that annoying then, given people are wedded to it, it must be that useful/entertaining.

What am I missing?

I hate it and don’t go on the site itself anymore, but keep it for messenger which is literally the only way to get hold of people quickly without a phone.

The only reason I’m on it is for the groups.

Groups and local businesses/ info/ community stuff information/ marketplace are all quite useful.

What am I missing?
Fuck all.
Genuinely.

Pretty much all of my children's clubs have had a page for information. Quick way for organisers to send out last minute informatio (as an email back up) , or for parents to communicate.

Local services, such as the charity bookshop etc

Keeping in contact with friends/family around the world

Event information

It's just another way of finding out stuff really.

I use it for groups. I've found it great during the last year. I'm not that interested in individual people so Instagram is mostly wasted on me.

I use it for local info, selling and buying stuff, keeping in touch with friends and family. Lots of businesses have pages on there.

I use it for looking at pictures of greyhounds. (Also for my running club and choir announcements).

Pictures of cats.

Fuck all apart from the odd good group, there was one for parents of SN children when I was on it but I actually hate Facebook.

It's not for everyone nothing is. But I think a lot of the time the issues people have are due to how they use it. I have certain personal rules on how I use it eg

I only have on there as friends people I know REALLY well in real life.

I keep on top of my security settings and the only people who can see my stuff are my friends

I rarely join pages or groups

I am careful about what I post and share, I stay aware that it's essentially public

I take regular breaks from looking/posting, I don't need to deactivate or anything to do this I just don't open the app for a few days

I find it very useful and nice for staying in touch with my closest (emotionally speaking) friends and family, most of whom are spread to the far flung corners of the globe! (Army brat, military family on one side several of whom have decided to emigrate permanently).

I love seeing their posts about their children, pets, jobs, life experiences etc without it I would likely not see so many lovely pics and comments about the things happening in these peoples lives, because people are busy these days and don't write letters, send photos, cards etc.

If someone posts something I don't like or that upsets me I don't generally comment I just hide the post.

I have unfriended a few people in the past for bigoted and nasty posting styles, which made me a bit sad but I won't tolerate such nonsense in real life or virtually. But this is extremely rare as most of my Facebook friends aren't like this, well none of them are now as I got rid of those who were.

It's all in how you use it. Keep it sensible/positive and you'll be fine

I think a lot of people forget that they can control what and who is on their feed. You can block people, pages and even vaguely content you'd prefer not to see. Following pages, groups etc that wind you up is just daft!

It pays our mortgage 😊

Adverts
Reminders to buy things you once looked up for 3 seconds
150 daily updates from that group you joined
Being part of the local group for your town - ah so insightful to see how diverse the opinions are!

I hate it...people posting stupid quotes....mlm huns posting vague job ads trying to reel more suckers in....people deliberately posting stuff on village community pages to cause an argument...like others i only use it for messenger now.

I just use it for a few different groups really, which l do enjoy and learnt lots.
I never post anything on my actual Facebook page, and am not interested in anyone elses. To me it all feels quite fake and shallow.

I barely used facebook for all the reasons mentioned. I'd unfollowed everyone in an attempt to keep real-life friendships and avoid everyday inanities BUT...just got an allotment and have joined half a dozen allotment/gardening/wildlife groups. No word of a lie, I now have the most wholesome Facebook experience EVER. It is truly glorious.

Thé groups are very useful.
And advertising for my business.
Apart from that not much interest

I love seeing how my friends are and how their children are. I’m delighted to be able to keep roughly in touch with lots of people I would see regularly if they lived closer and life didn’t get in the way. I’m not friends with anyone who isn’t either a friend or the parent of one of my DSs’ friends. No drama here.

It’s great for stalking and nosiness
Amazes me the number of people who share details of their lives on there and have it public. Or even if there’s is not public, have a spouse or family member on there whose is and they’re tagged in lots of photos

Thanks for all the replies.

I suppose I've noticed a couple of small local businesses use it which might be useful to me.
Otherwise, I thought that people that I care about would be in touch with me anyway.

Having said that, by a weird coincidence my elder daughter told me last night that, via her lost cat (happily now found), she'd had a message from someone who used to work with me and wanted to say "hello".

Which was nice.

I'll reply to them but probably still won't join Facebook.

It's brilliant.
Stay in contact with friends who are too lazy otherwise. Still known what people at school are up to. Share big news or ups and downs.
Follow things like outdoor swimming and hiking and toddler groups. I've found new ideas and even a great group of new friends.
Marketplace is dead handy for offloading stuff you no longer need, or picking up all sorts second hand.
Work ideas all in one place.
Local businesses are easy to find and support. Also community outreach. I have got involved in reopening a community centre and a pool recently.
Lockdown ideas for kids. We have followed free exercise classes, magicians, Julia Donaldson, comedy. I also get free pilates classes from a local injury clinic.
I actually find it useful having some photos on there. They are easily searchable if I need them at a later date.
Messenger is useful if you donhave other contact details for a business or friend.
I don't put photos of my kids on there and I don't use any other social media. Instagram and twitter are beyond me, but facebook is so useful.

Also political stuff. I follow refugee charities and local news websites.

I use it for groups which are amazing resource for me on literally every topic I need

All about the groups 💕

Groups, for info / advice /shared interests.

I don't follow any individuals and I never ever post on my own timeline. But it's great for groups to find info and share experiences e.g. I live in France and there are very active and useful groups on applying for French nationality, exchanging driving licences, etc. Also lots of meet-up / activity groups when my kids were younger.

Mostly messenger, useful for speaking to all the family at once to arrange meet ups, (pre Covid!) and catch up on their news, without laboriously repeating it all in sequential phone calls to individual members.
Also handy for local info/trade recommendations/opening hours/traffic etc. And I like a group reminiscing about an area I grew up in, and left 50 years ago. Discovered 2 old schoolmates on it.