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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand people who post on social media everyday

78 replies

SalemShadow · 17/10/2019 21:23

I don't understand why people post photos esp of their kids on social media everyday. Makes me wonder if they are a bit lonely. Don't know if aibu?

OP posts:
StillCoughingandLaughing · 17/10/2019 23:54

Is it that difficult to "understand" why people do this? Or is this a way of saying "I don't agree with it but under the auspices of being baffled etc"

I thought the exact same thing. With these threads ‘I don’t understand’ almost always equates to ‘I disapprove’ or ‘I think this is tacky/common and am hoping for a bit of a bitch-fest’.

BackforGood · 18/10/2019 00:06

YABU, or very much lacking in understanding the concept that we are all different, if you really don't understand it.

People the world over do things that I choose not to do, indeed things that I think are utterly bonkers sometimes, but I wouldn't say understanding them is beyond my grey matter.

ThighThighOfthigh · 18/10/2019 00:10

I'd quite like to have Facebook but only for myself. More of a digital journal, photo album.

shearwater · 18/10/2019 00:16

You could maybe ask the people who are posting on social media everyday why they are posting on social media every day instead of asking a question about why people post on social media on social media.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 18/10/2019 00:29

I post on FB (and here, though I know that this isn’t SM) every day because I am lonely, and this gives me contact with the outside world.

I’m not entirely sure why you think this is a bad thing, @SalemShadow - maybe you’d rather I was more lonely and depressed?

aidelmaidel · 18/10/2019 00:35

Some of us have families on the other side of the world who we get to see once a year, if that, and posting pictures keeps us all feeling connected. It's not that difficult to understand if you have a bit of empathy.

Blubluboo · 18/10/2019 06:33

Hahahah
Isn't it obvious? It is called SOCIAL MEDIA. that is what it is there for.
My brother lives the other side of the world. He uploads photos of his journey. Yes he sends me some privately too. But uploading on there means that our whole extended family sees it all at the same time.
Many other examples.
But as you were. Judging other people for feeling lonely.

Fairylea · 18/10/2019 06:36

I don’t think they’re lonely, more likely just very social and enjoy the likes and the interactions it brings. It’s not my thing at all- I have very few online friends and rarely post at all because I’m very private and I can’t be bothered but I don’t judge anyone that does!

SoupDragon · 18/10/2019 08:18

I don't understand why people judge those who use social media differently to the way they do.

Trewser · 18/10/2019 08:24

I find it more weird when people have social media accounts but rarely post anything themselves- they essentially just have an account to stalk/watch everyone else, eg always listed in my instagram story views yet the last time they posted a photo was in 2016🤷🏼‍♀️

Yes! This is weird. People that never post anything, never like anything but if you meet them in RL comment on something you put on FB!

SallyWD · 18/10/2019 08:26

I know what you mean. I tend to post nice photos once every month or so. If we've been somewhere beautiful I like to share photos. Occasionally put photos of the kids if it's their birthday or something big/funny has happened. I know people who post every detail of their lives. One woman posted to say her 18 month old had just done a big poo! I mean really?! Do we need to know?

NameChangeNugget · 18/10/2019 08:32

Just unfollow them.

There’s nothing more boring than other people’s children 😴

SewingMum46 · 18/10/2019 08:33

I've got a friend who does this. Lots and lots of photos of her children, venting about her ex, holiday plans, what she's bought that day for her house, which room she's redecorated again, where she's having dinner... an awful lot of sharing. A lot of it would indicate that she's spending a lot of money. Then she asks to be considered for items on the local "not a penny" Facebook page. Sometimes within minutes of posting about expensive stuff. Don't get me wrong, she's very nice and I like her, but sometimes I'm not sure she thinks before she posts!

loobyloo1234 · 18/10/2019 08:34

YANBU. Some people obviously do not want to keep anything private these days. That or they feel the need to seek constant validation on social media

goodgirlinchachaheels · 18/10/2019 08:34

I don't see how it is any of your concern?

dirtyrottenscoundrel · 18/10/2019 08:35

Not lonely perhaps, just insecure?
Need constant ‘likes’

Cooroo · 18/10/2019 08:39

I post for 2 reasons - so my scattered family know my news and so I can look back and say 'my god it's 6 years since we did so and so'. I'm 60 and prone to forgetfulness (hoping it's nothing more sinister) so it's a bit like keeping a diary to look back on.

Pinkblueberry · 18/10/2019 08:46

It’s just personal preference. I don’t do it, but if others want to then whatever. Unfollow them if you don’t want to see it - I’ve done this once or twice. There were children on Facebook who I’ve never met and I haven’t spoken to their parents in years - but I know so many ins and outs and details about their lives, which is a bit weird. I’m supposed to be ‘friends’ with their parents on Facebook, not them. I also unfollowed someone who more so than posting pictures of her DD was constantly posting inane pictures of their scribblings and sticker books... yawn.

Lowlandlucky · 18/10/2019 09:12

I do roll my eyes when dumb people post their travel details on SM then have their house broken into. I did shudder a few years ago when a young woman in her 20s was mugged ( could have so much worse) , she had a live blog going every morning on her way to work telling everyone about her journey ( why ?) She had taken delivery of a brand new iphone the day before and told the world about it, some guy dragged her into a doorway and stole her phone. Turns out he knew exactly where and when she would be in a secluded spot because he watched he live blog. Why wouldn't you be concerned for your own personal safety ?
Maybe i have a different view on personal safety after having to check under my car for i.r.a planted car bombs, or having to change my route and routine so i wasnt shot or my family blown sky high.Must be getting old as just dont get any SM

TeaStory · 18/10/2019 09:13

I post pretty much every day. I don’t have children but I post a LOT of pictures of pets because they are so very very cute.

And yes, I’m lonely. Chronic illness and weird working patterns will do that. 👍🏻

Whattodoabout · 18/10/2019 09:15

Well you’re obviously using SM to know that some people post on there every day so is it really so different? Are you lonely because you trawl through Facebook every day?

notacooldad · 18/10/2019 09:16

I post most days. Usually something funny but relevant to different friends, respond to invites,share information etc. I'm not lonely in real life. Social media and reality can exist side by side.

IrmaFayLear · 18/10/2019 09:17

I must admit I am baffled when people have public conversations with their partner, who is clearly sitting next to them on the sofa. A friend of mine did this (might still do - but I didn't look any more). It was weird: "I love you, bubs!" "I love you too!" "Isn't baby cutesy wootsy!" etc etc. Why sit with your phone and say this? Do people say, "Do you want a coffee?" via social media to a person in the same room? Confused

LittleLongDog · 18/10/2019 09:19

It’s just a hobby 🤷🏻‍♀️

Ohyesiam · 18/10/2019 09:20

I don’t understand Euler’s Pioneering Equation.

There, I feel better for come my clean about that.