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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to want to ditch facebook completely?????

61 replies

mosschops30 · 09/04/2009 15:16

Ive been obsessed with it for about a year, but seem to have come to some sort of revelation that its just an ego stroking pain in the arse for collecting people, showing off.
Im thinking of sending all my 'real friends' a msg and then just deleting my profile.

Has anyone left and regretted it?? (unlikely?)

OP posts:
BecauseImWoeufit · 09/04/2009 15:18

I dabble with it - I've never completely really 'got' it, although it has become an important way to maintain contact with some people I have no other contact details for.

And just recently, when my SIL's exDH died, as she was on holiday in Australia with her daughters, it was the only (easy) way to be in touch.

TheSynOddOneOfWhitby · 09/04/2009 15:25

I have de registered recently - and i mean proper email them type de registered not just 'left'.

I feel freer that a naked lady running through a dew soaked wood.

Bonneville · 09/04/2009 15:28

I agree that it is, for many people a way of showing off how many 'friends' they have. I know people who have regular 'culls'!

messymissy · 09/04/2009 15:29

Can't tell you the number of people who have told me that they can't stand facebook after they have been on it a while!!!

I have never never tried it - always ignore the invites to join friends on it.

Can't stand the idea that you post what is in effect and advert for friends and there is a growing amount of evidence how facebook and other networking sites are infiltrated by less than desirable types.

Sorry about your SIL's ex dh, there are other ways to stay in touch. My relatives set up a hotmail account before they travelled to Australia for a month's long holiday and went to internet cafes every few days - easy and more personal.

Also, beware other network sites - a friend of mine joined one a few months back, and it automatically sent a handshake to EVERYONE in his address book - it was for a Gay network and he had not come out to many on the list, he was rather annoyed to be outed electronically!

BecauseImWoeufit · 09/04/2009 15:35

There are other easier ways to stay in touch - mobiles, Skype being but two - but FB was the only one we all had in common!

Original poster
mosschops30 · 09/04/2009 15:37

How do you de-register completely then? I thought I just needed to de-activate my account

OP posts:
CrushWithEyeliner · 09/04/2009 15:38

awful isn't it?

Just a way of showing off - very indicative of our times...I am desperate to let it go tbh, I think I will sack it off soon myself..

Stayingsunnygirl · 09/04/2009 15:39

I have been able to get back in touch with a number of old friends via Facebook, and have made at least one new mumsnet friend, but it doesn't consume my life.

minxofmancunia · 09/04/2009 15:44

I'm on it but have taken the brave step of removing some people from my friends list recently. They weren't friends just show off who were intensely irritating.

Also have to be careful as don't like ex work colleagues knowing my business so only post breezy innocuous comments on it.

I email important stuff

Original poster
mosschops30 · 09/04/2009 15:46

Ive just realised how intrusive it is, ive just found out im pg but have had to be careful who I tell, and even who my mum tells because I didnt want anyone to leave a message on my wall or anything and for certain people to find out in the wrong way (eg via facebook).
I hate that even if I dont go on there, other people can go on there are post stuff that others can see.
Its just rubbish, Im gonna have to get rid of my account

OP posts:
belgo · 09/04/2009 15:46

I left about a year ago. Don't regret it at all, never really got it in the first place.

CrushWithEyeliner · 09/04/2009 16:29

I have recently felt like shi* as I posted some pics of a friends' wedding and her ex who is still really stuck on her and on my friend list will now find out she has found happiness elsewhere...I hate it so much I have to leave

Jennifershesaid · 09/04/2009 16:38

I think FB is ok but watch out Friends Reunited users - I've just discovered that if you nosily look up acquaintances (work colleagues etc)on FR when you're bored (or is it just me that does this??) you will then pop up in their 'people you may know section' - aargh! If you look in the FAQ section this is confirmed and it just says 'FR has never promised anonymity...'

bobsyouruncle · 09/04/2009 17:01

OMG, I did not know that about Friends Reunited, Aaaargh!!!

TwoToTango · 09/04/2009 17:07

OMG Nor me!!!!

gardeningmum05 · 09/04/2009 17:09

oops

bobsyouruncle · 09/04/2009 17:13

oops indeed

TwoToTango · 09/04/2009 17:21

I've just been and looked on my FR page and it shows a number of people who "I may know". Embarrasingly some of them people I have looked up and who must have returned the favour . that'll teach me to be nosey

KingRolo · 09/04/2009 17:22

I have decided I don't like FB anymore, full of big show offs and people that (I suspect) don't have many friends in real life.

A colleague of mine is a 'friend' and kept posting status updates about his fitted kitchen. '.. is happy the sink is now in', '.. is chuffed with the worktops'. How innane! The final one said '.. is now putting kitchen updates on Twitter'. !!!

Why do people feel the need to tell the world about their every move? It's like they'll cease to exist if they don't document their lives on FB.

MuffinBaker · 09/04/2009 17:23

I have and are much happier

TwoToTango · 09/04/2009 17:24

Just looked at FAQs

Will anyone know that I have looked at their profile/ who has looked at mine?

Although we do not create specific lists of who has viewed which member profile, if you view someone's profile - your name may possibly appear in the 'Do you know?' list on their home page (which only they can see).

The list of suggested names on the 'Do you know?' area is randomly made up of several factors including listing people who are listed at the same places, people who have contacted each other and people who have viewed each other's profile.

Friends Reunited has never claimed to give anonymity as to who you view on our website - infact we receive several requests each day from members to introduce a facility whereby you can see anyone who has looked at your profile.

Whilst we have no plans to introduce that particular feature to the website, and we still don't actively list who is looing at which member profile, we can not guarantee that your name would not appear in the 'Do you know' list of anyone that you have viewed.

Simplysally · 09/04/2009 17:32

To come off FB entirely you have to delete anything that you're linked to on there and then email them to request it comes off altogether as otherwise your profile can still be posted to.

I just use FB to play Scrabble.

I don't get what the 'thing' is about Twitter and I'm not going there.

Shambolic · 09/04/2009 17:39

I recently did the delete account option which was in frequently asked questions. You have to leave it alone for a couple of weeks as if you go back in it cancels the deletion IYSWIM.

That option did say that it was total and permanent deletion, not just de-registering IYSWIM.

Original poster
mosschops30 · 09/04/2009 17:42

In my settings it says 'deactivate account' do I need to do that?
Should I delete all my friends first to be sure that they cant see anything even in the account does linger?

OP posts:
Shambolic · 09/04/2009 17:44

Deactivate account will not get rid of it at all, it'll just put it "on hold".

if you go to the contact us/FAQ bit (can't remember now!) there is a bit saying how to fully delete the account.