Cutting off my nose to spite my face(book)

[refreshingseahorse]

I deleted my FB account in 2018. It was a blessed relief and I did not miss it at all.

Now it is 2024, my life has changed and I want to find out about things like local sighthound walks and litter picks. I want to look at cheap nearby second hand furniture. It seems that FB is the default choice for this type of thing. But I don't want to go back. I think I have to though if I want these activities in my life.

Has anyone else unwillingly gone back to FB because the rest of the world still uses it?

You could go on and not add anyone but join the selling groups etc

I went back because I needed to for my small business. Also things like the kids' school, hobbies and the dog daycare use it. I don't have any friends on there, only groups. I can recommend this way of returning!

You could sign up to join groups of interest. Most decent pages have websites or blogs you can look at instead Once joined, delete account as it stays dormant for 30 days. Then you can fire it up briefly if you need it.
You could also deactivate but it's easier to go on and start scrolling.
Ask me how I know 😂

Just remove your friend list, ‘lock’ your profile and join the groups you’re interested in.
That is exactly what I use FB for.

Yes would echo the first post poster. I also left fb about 10 years ago & it was such a relief. But there is a really helpful fb group for my health issue & lots of SEN parents groups (my DD is autistic). I rejoined last year & locked down all of my privacy settings so I can’t be added as a friend. It’s working really well!

I have a Facebook account purely to keep up with the kind of things you describe. I have a very private profile and don’t post to it myself. I’ve found that very few of my friends and family still use it in the way they did in 2018, if they are still using it it’s in the same way I do.

How do you remove your friend list? Do you have to delete everyone individually?

Yes. Just unfriendly them.?Or limit the privacy settings so they can’t see your page. They won’t notice if you haven’t posted in years anyway.

I think it’s politer to delete the list though as it’s rather rude to be able to see what they post if they can’t see yours in return.

Thanks people, good to know I am not alone on the FB dilemma. Will try with a super locked down profile and see how I get on. I wish more groups would just make a website but I can see how FB is easier for them.

i've got a renewed interest in FB and am using it more than i ever did. not for sharing photos / opinions with people i barely know, but for niche and specialist interests (that sounds pervy, but i mean things like axolotls, Lebanese cooking, loom weaving and mid century furniture). i also buy pretty much everything i need off marketplace.

I’ve just ruthlessly unfriended everyone. Let a new life of blissful ignorance begin!

You can join groups but unfollow them, same with people. Then you only see what you specifically look for rather than daily drivel popping up in your feed.

I'm on there with a fake name and not a single friend added

ive gone back on it and have no friends, no pictures, never updated my status or anything like that. I only have it for purposes you've mentioned. My profile picture is my cat, and i used my middle name as my last name, so it's more difficult to actually know who i am. Just lockdown your profile 🙂

Yes. I used to be on FB years ago, deleted my account because I hated fb but rejoined a few years ago solely because we were home educating the DC and local groups were on there.

I'm still on fb, but v low key, not my real name, no friends, photos, updates or anything, settings on private and only belong to our residents association group now. I rarely make any posts and only use fb really to find out what's on locally.

That’s what I did! Local groups only, no people, no give away pic of me but it is my real name.

I would just start a new throwaway account - you dont need to use a live one with friends etc - you will need to maybe work out how you dont get marked as a scammer