Does Anyone Not Use Social Media?

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.

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.

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.

Not sure. I never got an Instagram account.

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.

Well if MSF is considered social media then yes, if not then no. I have email, I talk to a friend on WhatsApp and I think that social media just ends up making people either upset or dumbs their senses. They are also proven to use psychology against us and FB admitted to it too.

I use Twitter regularly for my hobby/blog content but I'm very careful what I contribute. Some people I know have a link to their Instagram account, so I can look at photos, etc.

Hardly ever go into my Facebook account because I just don't feel safe there.

All sites can be used safely, but it's in your hands how much you divulge and contribute.

I was looking at some crap article about 51 restaurants that are closing. Most either already have closed a long time ago. Or theres no way they would ever close. Like Starbucks. But now my new phone is acting like its been in Vietnam. Social media can go suck it.