[LiteraryLark]

I stopped using Facebook close to six months ago. That was my only form of social media. I've never used Instagram or Snapchat or Tiktok. It's a really freeing feeling to not be so consumed by social media, and it's really appalling to see the lengths people go to stay up on their social media presence.

Who else never uses social media? And how old are you? I'm 28 and now social media free. It'd be interesting to see how many young folk never use social media.

[Nammu]

I’m old (63) and like Stephen Colbert have never been on Facebook or any social media. This MSF is as close as I come. It wasn’t until I moved to a rural area that I ever ordered anything by internet. But I grew up without computers and find I live very well without it.

[Mountaindewed]

I rarely use it. I’m also 28. I only have Facebook and I usually only use it to post memes every few days. Sometimes I’ll post a major life event. I look at stuff on Reddit but I never post. I just used social media last night and didn’t realize that Covid had blown up in my state since the last time I checked. So I guess for me sometimes I just don’t use it because I don’t want to and then other times I should use it just to be aware of what’s going on around me.

[downandlonely]

I still have Facebook, because it's the only way to keep in touch with friends from high school and college. None of them live nearby. Also, I am about the same age as Mark Zuckerberg (a year older) so I guess it's my generation. I don't think Gen Z uses Facebook much though. They're into Instagram and other apps.

[sarahsweets]

I use FB for friends families and a private group. Twitter to follow certain things but almost never tweet. Barely IG, I do not use snapchat and I have the TT app so I can watch other videos sent to me on that platform but do not go scrolling through it. Im gen x and I feel both ways. I want to stay semi plugged in because like it or not tech is here to stay and always changing. I do not have a single friend on my list that I dont personally know, or would call or have seen in the last couple of years. I almost always deny any request that I can tell come from people snooping for mutual friends on their friends' pages and sending me a request. Just because we went to school together does not guarantee I will accept your request. I purge the list every so often and delete people I havent interacted with and am notorious for leaving people in "friend request limbo" meaning I havent made up my mind one way or another.

I am not naive enough to think social media is so safe and pure and roses and lolipops. These media companies are in it for profits-info-etc and have no actual interest in anything about me other than my data. I have the strictest privacy settings I can have (I hope) and no matter what I know whatever I type will come back to haunt me, nothing is ever deleted/

Originally Posted by LiteraryLark

I stopped using Facebook close to six months ago. That was my only form of social media. I've never used Instagram or Snapchat or Tiktok. It's a really freeing feeling to not be so consumed by social media, and it's really appalling to see the lengths people go to stay up on their social media presence.

Who else never uses social media? And how old are you? I'm 28 and now social media free. It'd be interesting to see how many young folk never use social media.

I don't use it, and I am younger than you are (25)

never personally saw the need for it

[lizardlady]

Am an old fart and MSF is the closest I come to social media. I value my privacy. Don't need to put my personal life out there for the world to see.

[zapatoes]

I’m Gen X and used to like Facebook several years ago and now it’s too busy, bragging, and controversial, and prefer to actually call old friends or get out and do things with people. I’m on Instagram, but never go on there and last time was 6-8 months ago. I’ve only watched occasionally tik tok video and don’t really like tik tok. Really like YouTube and Pinterest is fun and used to look at recipes and click on info about you know you’re introvert when... and also you know you’re personality fits INTJ because...

[SprinkL3]

I deleted my FB, Twitter, and IG accounts. I rarely used IG, I liked Twitter better than FB, but then it got controversial again (perhaps the algorithms catch up with you the more you use and click on "like" or RT or something with FB and Twitter, respectively). I used to go on there to remain connected with friends and family, until I found out that they really aren't my true friends and family if they don't call me, don't Zoom with me, etc. I just was done with that. So I stay connected with friends and family who are true friends and family - by using the old-fashioned phone or email. I stick to being anonymous again on just these forums.

Honestly, I didn't do well with forums or online groups in the past, but I do find it helpful for me. It just gets stressful when I'm dealing with something that I typically don't deal with in real life. There's something about anonymity and saying more real stuff online than in real life. There are times I want to just erase myself completely online. I found social media helped me to reduce that a lot, but then it got to the point where others were constantly bringing up controversial and sometimes downright hateful things - shameful, hurtful things. So I couldn't do that anymore.

I also quit social media in protest against the money-making schemes that their algorithms use to perpetuate hate, violence, and disinformation. How many people have been killed, verbally attacked, murdered, stalked, harassed, exploited, hated, discriminated against, duped, and/or fallen ill because of the spread of disinformation and hate? When I think about how money wins over humanity, I find myself disgusted.

Add-on edit: I'm 47 y/o, and I'm Gen X.

[Soupe du jour]

I go to Reddit, but that's it. And mostly just their Cooking forum. And it is more of a forum than a Facebook, Twitter, or Tiktok type thing. I have never had accounts with these except Facebook, but almost never go to Facebook. I only keep that account to have occasional access to just 3 or 4 old friends from the past. I also had LinkedIn and Pinterest accounts, but shut them down. I only use Youtube as a resource or to occasionally watch music or film related videos. If you consider WhatsApp social media, then I do use that occasionally out of necessity. I live abroad now. WhatsApp allows me to communicate via video and text for free with all that use it. But at least that is more private in many ways. I wish Meta (formerly Facebook) didn't operate that. I don't trust Mark Zuckerberg.

I recognize the benefits of social media, but also think they've become detrimental to society in far too many ways.

[SandyWeb]

Social media. What's that?? Lol. Now you know how much I use it.

I actually was interested in maybe getting a Facebook account (to try and find old school friends, childhood friends), but I was only hearing negative things about that platform. And nothing ever gets deleted. I don't have much of a life, but I would like to have a certain amount of privacy and control.

MSF is the only place I go to interact with people, and that's just haphazard. I want to engage in conversations, but then I feel overwhelmed and don't type anything. I guess Social Media is not the place for me. But I'm really glad that this support forum is available (although I don't think it's what you would think of as a platform).

By the way, I'm 56 and barely know how to use my cell phone!

As an aside, does anyone know how to use the Chat feature? I've tried different times to go on when I saw that there were a couple people in there, but I just get a blank box. No one is visible and I can't type anything. Am I doing something wrong? I have Ad Block plus on my computer. Would that be interfering with the box somehow??

Have a great day, everyone!

I deleted my FB account for a year once. It truly was freeing. Currently, I use facebook and this forum, which I consider social media.

[downandlonely]

Originally Posted by SandyWeb

Social media. What's that?? Lol. Now you know how much I use it.

I actually was interested in maybe getting a Facebook account (to try and find old school friends, childhood friends), but I was only hearing negative things about that platform. And nothing ever gets deleted. I don't have much of a life, but I would like to have a certain amount of privacy and control.

MSF is the only place I go to interact with people, and that's just haphazard. I want to engage in conversations, but then I feel overwhelmed and don't type anything. I guess Social Media is not the place for me. But I'm really glad that this support forum is available (although I don't think it's what you would think of as a platform).

By the way, I'm 56 and barely know how to use my cell phone!

As an aside, does anyone know how to use the Chat feature? I've tried different times to go on when I saw that there were a couple people in there, but I just get a blank box. No one is visible and I can't type anything. Am I doing something wrong? I have Ad Block plus on my computer. Would that be interfering with the box somehow??

Have a great day, everyone!

What browser are you using for chat? It works best with Chrome.

[SandyWeb]

Originally Posted by downandlonely

What browser are you using for chat? It works best with Chrome.

I only use Chrome as my browser. I think it may be the Ad Block Plus that is blocking the pop-up window. The dang thing thinks it's an ad!! And I would so much like to just chat for a few minutes with people in real time. It makes it seem as though I have a life. Lol.

Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

[downandlonely]

It could be. But you shouldn't have to use pop-out chat. I thought that was just an option. I just click on the Chat in the header bar and click Open Chat in a New Window.

[Ford Puma]

On and off over the years. I did have a nice G+ account until google retired that platform. I have a facebook page with about 5 people on it and can hardly bother with it anymore. MeWe is another one I gave a go, but I have not posted in there in about 6 months now. I am a guy and turned 44 this summer. Or is that 45 To be frank, as long as I have a few books to read, my art, photography, and my garden outdoors, I don't care much for social anythings.

[InkyTinks]

I don't use it much anymore.


My dog has an account but that was only so the breeder wouldn't be emailing me personally constantly wanting photo's of him as he grew up!


I take photo's of him out on our walks and post them to his page a couple of times a year, stops her nagging me direct!


I don't really participate in any groups much and won't do private messaging. With Social Anxiety its too much pressure for me as they expect you to reply live in the moment and be on call.

Forums like this I find people realise more that a person may have gone off to do something else after they've posted and not necessarily still be available 'live'. you can answer when you feel ready to come back and read posts.



My siblings partner recently took her daughter on holiday abroad and sent me photo's. Every single photo is a selfie of them both in either the hotel or by the pool. Her entire phone album is selfies!! They both constantly have thier phone in their hand. I must be old fashioned (I'm in my 50's, they're in 18-30's age bracket)) it used to be considered rude to not be paying full attention to your guests!


Mine are pictures of the dog or nature. There's a few of me with my dog but they aren't on social media more as a memory for me after my dog has passed.(to have printed or framed etc).

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by InkyTinks

I don't use it much anymore.

My dog has an account but that was only so the breeder wouldn't be emailing me personally constantly wanting photo's of him as he grew up!

I take photo's of him out on our walks and post them to his page a couple of times a year, stops her nagging me direct!

I don't really participate in any groups much and won't do private messaging. With Social Anxiety its too much pressure for me as they expect you to reply live in the moment and be on call.

Forums like this I find people realise more that a person may have gone off to do something else after they've posted and not necessarily still be available 'live'. you can answer when you feel ready to come back and read posts.

My siblings partner recently took her daughter on holiday abroad and sent me photo's. Every single photo is a selfie of them both in either the hotel or by the pool. Her entire phone album is selfies!! They both constantly have thier phone in their hand. I must be old fashioned (I'm in my 50's, they're in 18-30's age bracket)) it used to be considered rude to not be paying full attention to your guests!

Mine are pictures of the dog or nature. There's a few of me with my dog but they aren't on social media more as a memory for me after my dog has passed.(to have printed or framed etc).

@InkyTinks - I think it is cool that you have a social media account for your dog (and nature). I'm sorry to hear about your dog passing. My condolences.

I am approaching my 50s (I'm 47 now), and I agree with much of what you said about it being rude to not pay attention while with others. It's one thing to have group selfies or everyone spend time together doing their own selfies for a minute or two, but it's an entirely different thing when everyone is constantly on their cell phones when hanging out with other people or even while walking, riding public transportation on a bus or train, etc. People used to converse with one another (including strangers on the bus), and people used to pay attention to nature and the scenery without having to look for the next video or photos they could take of someone being harmed or victimized - even by their own phones! It sucks for those who are just going about their day and they get their photos stuck somewhere on "People of New York" or something when riding the train and wearing some outfit that is "controversial." It's also sad with the bystander effect in full operation when people are being harmed or even raped on a train (this happened in the U.S.), and others are filming it instead of intervening and stopping the crime or even calling for police intervention. People are more fame-oriented these days due to social media and certain leaders making it more individualistic and stoic, as opposed to being relational and caring. Cell phones and other technology, including social media, strip humans of their empathy and care sometimes. However, it depends on how one defines social media. Support groups, IMHO, are NOT the same as social media in the sense that "social media" has now been a buzz word to indicate certain types of online gatherings (the "etiquette" for social media, for instance, would say that most of what is covered in support groups such as the one we are on right now here would be taboo, or inappropriate, thus rendering support groups different from "social media").

I miss the old days - a lot!

[InkyTinks]

Hi Sprink

I think you misunderstand? my current dog hasn't passed away..I was trying to explain that I only take a photo of myself with them so that when they do I have one of us I can have framed or something. I have some video clips too to keep.


My last dog passed about 5 yrs ago now. I do miss my old girl! My current dog is male and its a very different relationship. I love him.. don't get me wrong..I've loved all my/our families dogs but there's always that one that you never forget!!


I can see why people want photo's to keep memories in that sense but people taking photo's of their dinner as we 're eating then constantly checking to see if anyone else has seen it throughout the meal!!...crikey...we weren't even allowed to have elbows on the table never mind phones and laptops!!

[SprinkL3]

Originally Posted by InkyTinks

Hi Sprink

I think you misunderstand? my current dog hasn't passed away..I was trying to explain that I only take a photo of myself with them so that when they do I have one of us I can have framed or something. I have some video clips too to keep.

My last dog passed about 5 yrs ago now. I do miss my old girl! My current dog is male and its a very different relationship. I love him.. don't get me wrong..I've loved all my/our families dogs but there's always that one that you never forget!!

I can see why people want photo's to keep memories in that sense but people taking photo's of their dinner as we 're eating then constantly checking to see if anyone else has seen it throughout the meal!!...crikey...we weren't even allowed to have elbows on the table never mind phones and laptops!!

@InkyTinks - Sorry, I misunderstood one of your posts. I think I got your last dog confused with your current dog on a social media site you had mentioned. Sorry.

I never owned a dog, but I love dogs. One day I might have a fur baby. I just am not able to right now. I'm glad you have a dog to keep you company.

I got sick of seeing a bunch of foodie photos that either made me hungry or jealous or lonely or all of the above, LOL. I stopped Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and perhaps others a while back. I feel less stressed since doing so.

[MuseumGhost]

I joined Fb at the insistence of an old friend who had been searching for me for awhile. Slowly, I looked up other old friends, and it's been good to hear how they're doing. Some new friends from other forums have hooked up with me there, too, and that's been a huge comfort.

But I am definitely not there as much as I used to be---far too many political and state-sponsored trolls have invaded the place.

I just could never work up any excitement about posting on sites like Instagram, because my life has gotten very small over the years; and I don't think anyone would actually understand this. I stopped photographing everything as soon as I got sick. Also, I don't have exciting things to share, no great travels anymore, no kids to brag about. And although a few trusted friends know about my health struggles, I prefer to keep it off the big screen. I'm pretty old-fashioned that way.

I drop into Pinterest, Quora, and a place called Medium, which I found by accident. But Pinterest has gone completely disco lately, and I do not find it to be the calming experience it once was. Quora and Medium seem to attract very gifted writers, who are also fellow sufferers. I find it helpful to read other's experiences which mirror mine. Reading their offerings, I don't feel so alone. And on those sites, I can interact as much or as little as I want; which is a relief, most days.

THIS is the safest and soundest place I have found, to converse with folks online, and to find help and compassion.

[Medusax]

I am 56, and live in the middle of the country. I have close friend in the Northwest, where I lived for 17 years, and of course the Northeast where I hail from. Also, I have a really good friend overseas. I have Facebook. I do NOT have it on my phone. I have no personal info in the "about me" section. Facebook is for the desktop when it is "time" for such things, like nighttime when chores are all done or early morning before they begin.

[unaluna]

At the risk of sounding like a boomer, how the f do you see stuff on instagram??? I saw a youtuber i liked, who said "hey look for my what i eat in a day on instagram!" So i went there and i see a bunch of her stupid pictures but im a little old for a picture index? Wtf.

[downandlonely]

Not sure. I never got an Instagram account.

[SprinkL3]

I got sick of the ads and the algorithms affecting what I saw in my newsfeed. I'm a Gen-Xer (47 now). I chose to boycott FB, Instagram, Twitter, and other social media that uses ads in feeds.

My nephew, who is in his 20s and in the Army, has also boycotted social media for his own sanity, protection, safety, and more.

Many people are boycotting social media for many reasons.

Some people have found themselves addicted, so they have to limit or end social media.

Others have found themselves experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out), which causes them the make risky choices.

Others have been influenced by disinformation campaigns, or have been retraumatized by cruel speech. They, too, have had to limit or end social media.

Others have found themselves comparing themselves to others, which has increased depression. They, too, have been instructed by therapists to limit or end social media.

Others have become more narcissistic with their "look at me and what I ate" posts, which has been seen scientifically, which could impact IRL (in-real-life) relationships and socialization.

Like alcoholic beverages - use social media responsibly. Overindulging could lead to mental disorders, including addictions. If you find yourself addicted, depressed, involved in a group you'd rather not be part of anymore, and/or retraumatized, it might be best to find alternative groups online or in real life, find professional help through psychotherapy, and do what those with substance abuse disorders (SUDs, formerly known as addiction-based disorders) do - and that is to abstain from using it at all.