AIBU when slagging off social media sites to family and other people I meet?

[DistinguishedSocialCommenator]

Thankfully no one in my immediate family uses Facebook, the new tiktoks and those others where I can't even recall the names of them

Most of us do use WhatsApp as it is free to chat and most of us older ones in the family only use PAYG mobile options and often pay in advance for calls on the landline which are often more clear and reliable, (Even with this I don't nor does my OH or children constantly update their status, we actually hide it I think you call it when others cant tell if we are using the WattsApp)

I could be getting an unbalanced view of Facebooks etc as we don't use them but all I hear and read in the media is the trouble it causes, fallouts etc over little things, EG, you did not thank me, you copied me, you ignored me, etc, etc,etd

AIBU trying to tell people I know and now grandchildren growing up I fear social media bullying etc, so AIBU telling them to steer clear of what IMO is total rubbish and you are better off out of them?

True but you must not assume everyone has the capacity you or I have.
I never said twitter was not useful as I read it for breaking news stories as does my OH

This is a forum. They've been around a lot longer than social media like Facebook.

Ah, so only people with 'capacity' should use social media? Well get you...

I also have a lovely FB experience reconnecting and keeping in touch with people. We generally don't do meanness in our friend group and I am not 'friends' with anyone I don't actually know in real life

I think you're maybe 10-15 years out of date with the Facebook dramas. It peaked on Jeremy Kyle and he's been off the air for years.

Parked cars don't get in fights with each other.
The problem is the person driving it.

My point was there's nothing about a tool of any kind that acts upon the user to compel them to behave a certain way. Social media doesn't force anyone to behave a certain way just like cars don't force the driver to chase the guy who cut them up ten miles down a dual carriageway, screaming abuse.

They're excuses not reasons or causes.

OP come on 'I read Twitter for breaking news stories'

I understand what you are trying to get it with your question but surely you must see how much you are using social media yourself?

You should make leaflets and post them door to door to spread your gospel.

YANBU

tell whoever whatever you like

Was there something about buffalo as well, or am I hallucinating?

So you do use social media.
Please don't embarrass yourself further here. Either you never touch it, in which case your 'quest' is informed, or you do and you're a hypocrite, thinking you are somehow above other users.

So that's just

WhatsApp
Mumsnet
Your blog
And twitter

My dad is like OP, he took some SM training course at work. The scenario was about being stalked on Facebook. Dad is convinced that FBk is pure evil. Dad said "But why do you have to logon there at all?"

I was also bullied in the 1970s. I couldn't get away from my bullies because I had to go to school & the school told my parents that clever children often socially struggled, that's why kids were horrible to me. It was my fault.

Dad was right. People don't have to log on to Facebook. They can avoid the SM bullying very very easily. SM bullying is not remotely like being bullied at school in 1970s.

Of course MN is social media! As is WhatsApp.

It sounds like you are an older person so I expect most people will politely pretend to listen to what you say but considering nearly everyone alive today knows more than you do about social media it is highly unlikely your opinion holds any weight.

@PonyPatter44 maybe you were hallucinating due to the chemicals in the water supply?

@SuffolkBargeWoman you might be right! I'm going to go and post on my FB and see if any of my friends agree that there's a problem with water and buffaloes.

Its up to you what you do.
Some like SM some dont .
We all know most of whats online is all bullshit.
But as i said it's up to others to do what they want.
I have PAYG phone call me text me email and mumsnet thats all i have.
I dont own a tv but thats my choice I'm not gonna ask everyone to join me.

Cheers for the very supportive post

To be clear, and this is aimed at others, of course, I know some people wil not listen to me and it is their choice. However, when you, anyone feels so strongly about something, one owns it to their loved ones and other close people to share my thoughts

I have no doubt many out there use social media properly but there are many out there that have fallen victim to scams, fallen out with family, friends, work buds, etc, etc and at times fallen out on what is normally considered very trivial,

Before signing off on this thread - would some people agree that emails sent with the best intentions can be misunderstood when compared with a face-to-face exchange of messages? I am extra careful when sending emails as I want to be clear that my message is not taken out of context or the tone of it.

Just google 'social media problems' and you will see where I am coming from.

I guess everything lawful in moderation is the way forward for many.

From what you have written it’s clear that you have absolutely no idea lf the benefits people get from social media. How can you make a valid judgement unless you have used them fairly extensively yourself?

Oh no the distinguished one is back again. Have you covered this on your blog?

You owe it to your loved ones to share your thoughts because you feel strongly?! Ffs!

No you don't. That's arrogant and entitled behaviour. Something I'd train my kids out of.

It must reduce the number of Christmas cards you have to send though, so swings and roundabouts.

You are right, it does have some "benefits." lol

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13060645/Luxury-car-thief-caught-posting-pictures-grinning-stolen-Bentley-Facebook-page.html#:~:text=A%20luxury%20car%20thief%20was,Island%2C%20Essex%20in%20August%202016.

However, when you, anyone feels so strongly about something, one owns it to their loved ones and other close people to share my thoughts

But doesn't that risk alienating your loved ones?

I have strong thoughts about all sorts of various topics, but if I went around trying to convince everyone else that my opinions on those matters are the only ones that are valid, I wouldn't have a very pleasant life.

Telling people they should change their beliefs and adopt a lifestyle based on your strong thoughts because you believe them with such conviction sounds like the kind of thing a cult leader would do.