Aibu to not have any interaction at all via social media

[yarncakes]

Daft question really as it is my choice but it's getting to the point where everyone asks me why haven't I got Facebook or my ds school says if I need to access any information I need to join their Facebook page, it took them ages to send me all the info to my email after explaining I don't have Facebook and they asked If I can sign up to it! Answer is NO.
In all honesty I don't want any social media account of any kind, I don't read the news anymore, all I do is go on Mumsnet, go on WhatsApp every now and then and watch YouTube videos for recipes and tutorials.
I left Facebook many, many years ago now as I joined it when I was about 15 if I remember right! Was sick of being on there and getting addicted instead of spending time with my ds and doing my crafty bits. I gave all my family and friends my contact number before I deleted it permanently, but not one of them have bothered to contact me.
I am worried our future or any accessible information is all going to be on Facebook.

There is a thread this morning where someone is trying to report someone else to the police based on a Facebook post!

My foray into SM is mumsnet.
That's enough for me I've never been a social person, I haven't the energy.

@FrankButchersDickieBow

I agree OP. I'm not on Facebook, deleted my twitter when all the TRA's went batshit. Deleted my Instagram too at lockdown.

It's so freeing.

I couldn't care less if I don't know what's going on out and about.

Nothing is ever THAT important. If it is, you'll hear it from somewhere or someone.

This.

I have recently deleted all social media apps from my phone. Best thing I've ever done!

I am same as you, OP, only thing I have is Mumsnet and a few people on Whatsapp. I don't feel like I am missing out and I get by!

It's up to you, but don't be upset if you miss out on things. Majority of my friends use Whatsapp or FB messenger so it's easy to organise things. One friend doesn't so need to email or text her about things. It's a right old pain, because then if there is discussion about arrangements its via clunky emails rather than messages where everyone can see the trail. I'm less likely to invite her to short notice things because whatsapp is a convenient way to do it.

Do or don't join whatever social media you choose, but unless it's mandatory communication which should be coming via email, then don't be surprised if you miss our on the odd thing and don't expect people to forward things to you because you don't want to join.

I understand your worry op.
I have, or should I say had, two hobbies prior to lockdown that I've slowly been edged out of.
Mainly because all their contacting and arranging, especially since the pandemic has been mainly done via Zoom, FB or Whatssap.
Lots of peoole only have email.

@rookiemere

It's up to you, but don't be upset if you miss out on things. Majority of my friends use Whatsapp or FB messenger so it's easy to organise things. One friend doesn't so need to email or text her about things. It's a right old pain, because then if there is discussion about arrangements its via clunky emails rather than messages where everyone can see the trail. I'm less likely to invite her to short notice things because whatsapp is a convenient way to do it.

Do or don't join whatever social media you choose, but unless it's mandatory communication which should be coming via email, then don't be surprised if you miss our on the odd thing and don't expect people to forward things to you because you don't want to join.

What if peoplw are on their uppers and cant afford the internet? I had a friend who only got to check emails once a week if she happened to be somewhere that had free WiFi.

@likeamillpond that's not the case for my friend and would be a different scenario

DH doesn't have FB, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn. He messages people on WhatsApp (but that's just like a text message really). No one has ever tried to persuade him to join any of the above (to my knowledge).

I dont use fb or things and never had an issue with updates and contacts.

Sounds like you're being pretty awkward tbh. Don't make an account (which could just be for this) but then you have to accept you might miss out on info. Entirely your choice.

@rookiemere

It's up to you, but don't be upset if you miss out on things. Majority of my friends use Whatsapp or FB messenger so it's easy to organise things. One friend doesn't so need to email or text her about things. It's a right old pain, because then if there is discussion about arrangements its via clunky emails rather than messages where everyone can see the trail. I'm less likely to invite her to short notice things because whatsapp is a convenient way to do it.

Do or don't join whatever social media you choose, but unless it's mandatory communication which should be coming via email, then don't be surprised if you miss our on the odd thing and don't expect people to forward things to you because you don't want to join.

I agree with this. It’s like the decision to have a child free wedding - completely fine but don’t then get in a huff because some people can’t or don’t want to come.

WhatsApp, Mumsnet, Linked In are all forms of social media. Just choose the type of social media that suits you best, stay away from others, but don’t mean when others (schools, friends or family) choose a different method to you. They can’t force you to use FB or Twitter, but neither can you force them not to use it.

It is entirely your prerogative not to have any social media. I also think it depends on your personal circumstances.

But I also don't think it's not that unreasonable for the school to state they have an active forum that's widely used/very easily accessible, and they update all their info on it? You could set up an account as private, no profile pic, and not add anyone beyond the school? Or yes they could send you an email/letter but the information may change within change very quickly during an emergency and you could be sitting thinking what's happening?

I agree with Wandavision though, and think that people who who profess to not having any social media at all sometimes comes across as a tad morally superior, and don’t understand how to use it to their advantage. You can set up an account in any name you want, not have any “friends” and set your privacy settings so that no-one can see them.

I am a member of a few local community Facebook groups. As a result, I know why our bins weren’t emptied last week, why our postal service is rubbish, that there has been a crash on a road near me and it is closed, why the local Hermes driver can’t deliver today, that our GP is now rolling out the covid vaccine, that local events have been cancelled etc etc – all sorts of very useful information. Like it or not social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are by far the best way to impart information to the masses quickly and effectively.

Oh, and DD is at university, and our main way of keeping in contact is via FB Messenger.

You don’t have to have vacuous “friends, you don’t have to post vacuous stuff, or even post at all, but it is a useful communication tool if used correctly. I use Facebook. It doesn’t use me.

I have, or should I say had, two hobbies prior to lockdown that I've slowly been edged out of.
Mainly because all their contacting and arranging, especially since the pandemic has been mainly done via Zoom, FB or Whatssap.

Why would you cut your nose off to spite your face @likeamillpond? Are you trying to prove a point? What are your objections to Zoom? It isn’t social media. It is another form of VOIP, very similar to Skype.

SqeakyHindge you use Tinder to talk to family and friends?...or did I just misread that?

Isn't Mumsnet social media?

Yep

See thats my stubbornness I couldn't care less what's going on now.

But your OP is all about struggling to access information which the school or whatever puts out on Facebook...

Obviously your choice not to be on any social media channel. But if school or others choose to put information out on social media, then there are implications to that choice. Agree with others that the way round this is to have a dummy account for Facebook.

I have Facebook and hate email. I can’t understand people who insist on email and can’t bothered to faff emailing back. If you miss out on news that’s your problem-you shouldn’t expect people to specifically call you or email you.

Refusing to use Whatsapp for example is roughly the equivalent of refusing to use texts 20 years ago. Do what you want but don't expect exclusive communication.

FB is different as I understand that many people don't want a FB account. DS14 is annoying in this respect as he is now old enough to join FB and contribute to the conversations which involve discussions about where we'd like to go on group holidays and activities and meet ups. DS refuses to join as FB is so old fashioned so others have to communicate to and for him.

Never been on it....''tis up to the school to make alternative communication provision for you.

Refusing to use Whatsapp for example is roughly the equivalent of refusing to use texts 20 years ago.

Is it? I haven't got a clue about it

Refusing to use Whatsapp for example is roughly the equivalent of refusing to use texts 20 years ago. Do what you want but don't expect exclusive communication.

Is it?

I use Whatsapp but my friends are family are starting to switch to a new platform due to the upcoming ads. I never received ads through text.

Isn't Mumsnet social media?

No. MN is the social internet and is what much of the excitement and hope for the internet was originally about - connecting people and all that.

Social media is run by gigantic corporations whose sole purpose and currency is our time, our attention, and our clicks.

YANBU. But MN is social media. And personally, MN is far far more of a time suck for me than FB or Instagram.

I'm not on it either and school have a duty to keep you informed so this is their problem, not yours.

I am on Twitter but would not accept this as a formal communication method from school - school can advertise/connect/chat via social media but proper information should come through proper channels - so email, letter, or official website announcements. They shold link back to their proper website for offical announcements.