Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

Social media was crippling me.

21 replies

Ididit83 · 21/08/2021 13:50

I’ve just had to delete my Facebook account. I simply can not look at what looks like perfect families anymore. Its been 2 days and I already feel little better.

Anyone else find that it’s crippling for mental health.

OP posts:
ThisIsStartingToBoreMe · 21/08/2021 14:10

I don't but I know a lot of people do. Think you've done the right thing deleting your account.

Legomania · 21/08/2021 14:12

It's just people's edited highlights. No one is going to post about putting the bins out

littlebilliie · 21/08/2021 14:12

I use FB and SM for thing I'm interested in, it's brilliant for that and good for MH

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 21/08/2021 15:53

I just hide the annoying people. But whatever works for you Smile

SnatchCassidy · 21/08/2021 16:03

I just use the block button. I also understand that those perfect lives are not perfect.

OldTinHat · 21/08/2021 16:10

I got rid of all social media (apart from MN of course!) four years ago and haven't looked back. No more obsessing or cyber stalking, no more wasted hours/checking FB at 3am when I can't sleep. Life is so much better without it!

FlippantFair · 21/08/2021 16:14

I had a long block list and still ended up deleting it. I just find it irritating. Genuinely, I don't want to know what my friends and their friends are thinking about and talking about.
I have found conversation with people face to face flows much more easily when I don't already know all their news via Facebook.
I also don't want sponsored links that the algorithms think I should be interested in.
I enjoy MN for the anonymity, and I can go to topics I want to see, and frequently follow links to more in depth (or not, doesn't always have to be cerebral stuff) news articles/book and film recommendations etc.
I am way happier now!

Can I suggest you watch The Social Dilemma or read Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Right Now, @Ididit83
The author Jaron Lanier is featured in the documentary. It's fascinating. Slightly scary, yet optimistic.

merryhouse · 21/08/2021 16:27

Not sure I have any perfect families on my FB.

There's my friend who has a good job, creative hobbies, loving husband, two adult children and some beautiful grandchildren... and some health problems and significant bereavements including her first grandchild stillborn.

There's the woman from school who posts about her children, her DIY projects and trips to the seaside... and also used to post about her fantastic partner who mysteriously hasn't been mentioned for a while

There's the friend from university who posts occasionally about the interesting things they do with their two sons... and is suffering Long Covid

There's the old orchestra friend who posts about her creative projects and her talented daughter... and her health problems and struggles with shielding during lockdown

Then there's me, who posts about her academically high-achieving sons... and can't get a job

Thecatsbutler · 21/08/2021 21:51

Don't have any social media, never have done. Absolutely never felt like I'm missing anything. I come on here and read the titles, if it doesn't interest me I don't read the post.

SarahBellam · 21/08/2021 21:57

It works for some people. For some, not so much. It’s just a platform and it’s up to each of us how we curate what we see or how we interact.

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 21/08/2021 22:06

It has generally been good for me as I work for myself and am a long way away from most of my family. But I do have to unfollow some people and sometimes I'll take a break for a month or two if its having an overall negative effect.

CityCommuter · 21/08/2021 22:35

@Ididit83 Another reason some people have deleted FB is because they monitor apps / websites you use. E.g if you're on Mumsnet there seems to be some sort of link where that topic comes up on FB (sometimes even with your username) so then all your nosey FB friends can look up your threads on MN or see which topics you've been reading... it's bordering on stalkish behaviour and there's no privacy really. That's why a friend of mine only ever uses FB on her laptop and never on her phone...

Wombatstew · 21/08/2021 22:42

I enjoy the fb groups on subjects I am interested in and use it for that only. I never scroll through the other people posts on their timeline or make my own . It’s also useful for wishing people happy birthday. The few people at know intimately in RL do not post their problems and I imagine most people are the same. I spend way more time on MN.

QueenBee52 · 21/08/2021 22:49

@Thecatsbutler

Don't have any social media, never have done. Absolutely never felt like I'm missing anything. I come on here and read the titles, if it doesn't interest me I don't read the post.

the Title is soooo important... it can make or break the success of a Thread I agree ...

some are so poorly titled sadly 🌸

youkiddingme · 21/08/2021 22:50

I use it to keep up with specific interests and family. I cba to read anyone else's crap.

QueenBee52 · 21/08/2021 22:52

@youkiddingme

I use it to keep up with specific interests and family. I cba to read anyone else's crap.

isn't this why everyone uses it ?

GreekOlive · 22/08/2021 08:35

I’ve deactivated, not deleted. I nip on every now and again to check school groups, etc.
Honestly, when I log back in, I now cringe. The whole culture of over sharing, perfect families, feeling the need to photograph and document what used to be private stuff… once you’re out of that, you look at it through a different lens.

I didn’t realise what a negative impact it had on my well-being until I dumped it off. Good for you OP.

QueenBee52 · 22/08/2021 12:32

Complete Deletion takes 30 calendar days..

and you can only access this outside of Facebook through another link ...

Sadly Facebook make leaving very difficult ...

Good Luck 🌸

Thortful · 22/08/2021 12:41

@QueenBee52

Complete Deletion takes 30 calendar days..

and you can only access this outside of Facebook through another link ...

Sadly Facebook make leaving very difficult ...

Good Luck 🌸

You can do it through fb. It's on the settings page - account control. If you leave it alone for 30 days it deletes but if you pop back on you go back to day 1! I agree they make it difficult and tricky to find, and not everyone has the willpower to ignore it for the necessary 30 days. I deleted but took a few goes as it's highly addictive ime.
Feilin · 22/08/2021 19:20

Yes I find it affects my mental health I disabled it last yr and had to log in again a few nights ago so my Dh could access the spotify account I use for Dd and within 15 mins of flicking down the newsfeed I already had that sinking pit of anxiety etc so I disabled it again.

Tal45 · 22/08/2021 19:43

I know mine only shows the good stuff so I assume everyone else is the same - I have all sorts going on behind the scenes so they probably do too.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page