To wonder why so many MNers treat FB with such disdain?

[moominmarvellous]

Not so much a thread about a thread as a thread based on several.

There seems to be a nasty undercurrent on Mumsnet that Facebook/Social Media (yes, including the current ice phenomenon) is for plebs and those who are self centred or somehow out of touch with reality.

The same remarks are to be found on pretty much all threads that mention FB - along the lines of:

'You're not a teenager!'

'How do you have time for it?'

'You do know it's not real?'

'It's so self absorbed/self centred/ Me, me, me'

Mumsnet Talk is itself a form of social media, on which we all air our personal views and opinions, and which we all find time for. TBH more time than it takes scrolling through an FB newsfeed.

But also our children will at some point, if not already, be experiencing many of the issues that online communication presents. They'll come to us for advice on managing online relationships and/or we'll have to deal with the fallout of something said or posted in haste or poor judgement.

It seems to me that those not making the time for it - even on a basic level are actually leaving themselves out of touch with how society and communication is changing?

It probably colours my view that I work with teens on issues surrounding the ways in which they communicate and form relationships (on and offline) and to see so many negative, and in some cases uninformed* opinions on a parenting site is a bit worrying.

I agree with most of what you've said, moomin

Fb is a communication tool, some people like to communicate, some don't.

I don't get all the sneering either - if you don't like it, don't use it.

It's not rocket surgery

If I want to scroll through endless pictures of selfies, kittens, homemade cakes, or even worse - a friend of a friends holiday pictures - then I'd have a f/b account.

I'm sorry, but for the vast majority of Facebook users it is just a self promotion tool, which is ok if you're mega interesting. But most people on f/b post boring shite.

Well you are right of course.

I agree.

I remove all the drama queens from my newsfeed and use it as a communication tool primarily. I got family and friends all over the world and it's great to keep in touch with everyone.

I unfollow folk who get on my tits or bore me. My feed is quite good. I'm pissed off with Ice Bucket Challenge atm...but overall I enjoy I see.

It's not for everyone I don't suppose, but I like it.

I love Facebook - have rekindled many an old friendship via it & like keeping up with what friends are up to. Useful with a disabled child for feeling less isolated as well.

I never get the snootiness either. DH has always been very anti, but ds2 just started an account for him last week as he was going to a school reunion & he now has lots of friends & is on there constantly. He keeps asking ds2 advice about Facebook etiquette.

What? What? There are plebs on MN!?

Unfollowed:

Frequent moaners, rampant selfie takers, pontificators who fancy themselves as deep, boasters, animal nuts and oversharers.

All of those people are cracking in the flesh, but make me roll my eyes on fb.
It's easy enough to tuck them away without causing offence.

Facebook can be pretty amazing for support though ,putting people in touch with others they would otherwise never have known. I used to not use Facebook all that much but recently my son was diagnosed with a rare condition, through Facebook I have been put in touch with people from all over the world who also have children with the same or other similar rare conditions its great to be Able to share worries and concerns.

I don't think I'm even saying 'Get an FB account - you're missing out!'

I've got plenty of bores on my FB - but as in life, they aren't ALWAYS boring and if they were always boring to me, chance are we wouldn't be friends in the first place.

It's more just - try and understand that these forms of communication do count.

I think that because a lot of the problems and fallings out posted about on MN are caused or exacerbated by FB, it has the effect of making FB and a fair number of its users appear vacuous and self-absorbed. This effect is exaggerated when the fallings out posted about lean towards the more immature end of dissent, such as disagreements over inane statuses.

So it's an effect that is magnified on here, I think.

and real feelings are attached to them.

x2boys - twitter is good for that as well :)

I've moved about growing up and lost touch with a lot of people and found Many old friends using FB for that reason I like it but I also think people write boring crap who cares what so and so had for tea and selfie pics well I usually tell them they look shit and they stop doing it ha

Mmmmmm that's a good point actually line runner - MN's like trip advisor for FB - people only report the negative experiences!

That's good to know saintlyjimjams if I can ev er quite get my head around how to use twitter !

I like it. I use it as a diary for me and a way of keeping in touch with friends and family.

If anyone posts anything that offends me, I hide them from my feed. If it's racist, I take them off my friends list.

It gives me more pleasure than pain.

I do think that for some people, fb bashing is a way of seeming intellectually superior.

Although on her thread the amazing Zombie just gave the best endorsement of FB ever - talking to her son. Very moving, given her circumstances.

I have never had a fb fall out I must say.
A friend of mine once wrote something insulting about my husband, for all to see. Her intention was to be funny, but it missed its mark and read as being horribly aggressive and rude.
I just pm her saying 'ahem?' and she deleted it.
That's the most drama I've ever known relating to my page.

I've seen very few fall outs between people either (debate/ common interest groups not included). I'm quite disappointed by that. I'd love to see a good row.

Social media can be a tool to promote contact

But one of the most worrying things for teens is that it can be used to avoid contact.

It can be too prominent in teenagers lives and has to be managed. Too many people think unlimited access to it is harmless.

It can be addictive and with young minds they're often not sure what is real and what is not.

It's not 'evil' but it's also not something you airily give young teens and let it take over their lives.

The same remarks are to be found on pretty much all threads that mention FB - along the lines of:

'You're not a teenager!'

The funny thing is that I don't personally know any teenagers who currently use Facebook. Facebook is the social media platform their grandparents use, ffs So who knows, maybe those complaining about it are just super trendy.
Honestly, I hate FB and always have. But Twitter's fun. Although I prefer good 'old fashioned' (which may tell you how long I've lived in the internet) message boards.

Oh how I wish I could 'like' this post, OP

because its really naff

I don't care whether people are or aren't on Facebook.

It seems to me that those not making the time for it - even on a basic level are actually leaving themselves out of touch with how society and communication is changing?

^^ pfft

It drives me batshit when people post thread after thread after thread on here whinging about it. If you like it, do it. If you get more pleasure than pain out of it, do it. If it's causing you problems either stop doing it or deal with it on Facebook - or shock alert - in real life. But stop bloody moaning about it on here! Please.

We recently had a meetup that we organised through a secret Facebook group for families like mine affected by rare genetic disorders without Facebook I don't if I would ever met parents in similar circumstances we hope to organise similar meetups it certainly makes me feel less alone .