Facebook is Useful but It's Depressing Me

[rumred]

I've been on it since 2007 and have generally found it useful and informative. Recently however I've noticed it is affecting my mood. I know there's unbelievable misery in the world - I worked in child protection for many years - but I find it hard not to be affected by posts about any type of abuse. I scroll past but still see things that distress me. And I'm tempted to comment on offensive posts knowing that I'll likely get into a row. Thus I try not to but don't always manage it.

What keeps me on it is using local groups for getting and giving information. Plus posts about friends and acquaintances are interesting. I publicise groups I run on there also.

Has anyone managed to find a middle ground?

Why are you seeing posts about abuse? Tweak your settings so you only see what you want to.

What keeps me on it is using local groups for getting and giving information. Plus posts about friends and acquaintances are interesting. I publicise groups I run on there also.

Well that's your choice isn't it?

If you can't scroll past without commenting and getting into a row, you'll either have to try harder or come off FB 🤷‍♂️

Start by blocking any post that distresses you. If you engage in these types of posts by starting rows ,your are influencing your algorithm to see this type of content.

Facebook is such a miserable platform generally. I’m in a daily group I rely on otherwise I’d def delete it.

you can block and hide each and every distressing story, eventually they’ll go away. What is it you actually want to use it for?

I don’t think I have ever seen a post about abuse, so it sounds like you’re watching or clicking on them so are seeing more of them?

start blocking anything like this asap without engaging.

I ditched Facebook a few years ago now. I found my feed just ended up being full of adverts, news articles (usually politics) from media outlets I never followed and either pointless or disturbing spam content. I personally find Instagram better now although I have noticed a lot more spam on Instagram recently but least Instagram gives you the option to switch the feed to only the accounts you follow. I deactivated my Facebook account but I can still use messenger for my contacts which I think it is a great deal.

It’s up to you to curate your FB feed. Every time you click on sth it indicates interest and you’ll get more. Scroll past quickly and you’ll get less. I’m a member of several local groups. Beyond these my spam is primarily cute animal videos, especially labrador puppies, workout videos, health articles and clothes. Because that’s what I click on. Never ever comment on a vile post or you will get similar in your feed forever.
ETA search baby goats on FB and your heart will be filled with joy to see them skittering around. Also baby donkeys, so cute.

Keep hiding things you dislike, to train the algorithm. Search for things you like, and follow them!

I thought that for a while but you can just snooze or block anyone boring or offensive and then your feed will just be useful local events, groups and nice animals or whatever you are into. My facebook is a positive place now and very useful, no more tedious baby photos or what people had for lunch!

I don’t see anything like that fortunately. I think the algorithm must show you things you clicked on previously. If you select not interested on every post that comes up then that should put a stop to it.

I wonder if the same happens in relation to certain conflicts and wars (one in particular springs to mind which I won’t mention), that are going on - people view the content and so the algorithm shows them more and so they click on it more and so it becomes a circle.

I don't think there's any point to the FB newsfeed any more. With me it was full of sad kittens because I used to foster for a rescue charity. I know all the horrible things that happen to cats, children and anyone else who's vulnerable and I don't want to go looking for it.

I think it's only really useful now if you're in a group of real people due to a shared hobby or interest, so I don't use it for anything other than that. Or because some restaurants etc don't have websites any more and only put their menus and other details on social media, but Instagram is usually better for that.

Yes I think the news feed is pointless and wish you could turn it off. I already turned off all my friends posts because I find them so cringy.

but you can’t quite “curate” your Facebook because FB are making their money through ads- much of the newsfeed your seeing is because someone has paid for you to see it. They don’t necessarily go away because you ask for less. They’ll always be something popping up that you didn’t ask to see

Thanks for the comments. I haven't tried to block anything lately as it didn't work last time I tried. I get distressing content as I foster and adopt animals. And I'm friends with others who do, some of whom post unpleasant content. I've obviously looked at some political posts as I get loads of anti and pro reform nonsense. I follow 2 newspapers now I think of it. Unfollowing them would probably help, although I am interested in some of their content. On reflection one in particular reported regularly on a child death which I tried to avoid seeing otherwise.
Thanks again,I'll have another crack at unfollowing and blocking.

You need to tune your account. I only see posts from immediate family and a number of hobby groups I am involved with. That's it. No news, sales, politics or people I have never heard of.