It seems like every day there is a story about Facebook and the terrible things that they do (or don't do). Whether it is allowing hate groups to fester on the site leading to 700,000 Rohingyans having to flee Myanmar, allowing the spread of anti- vaccination information in this country leading to outbreaks of diseases that should be dead, or just simply not protecting the privacy of users, I am no longer okay helping the site make money.
The podcast mentioned above was about Lenny Pozner, one of the parents who had a child, Noah, killed in the Sandy Hook shooting. There are disgusting Facebook groups that have published the Pozner's personal information- phone number, address, etc. People in those groups feed off each other and some become stalkers and/or threaten the Sandy Hook families (this unfortunately happens after every tragedy). The Pozners have had to move 8 times already because of threats. This seems to happen a lot- Dr. Christine Blasey-Ford has had to move 4 times after testifying against Brett Kavanaugh.
My use of the site, my clicks, the things that I read, the ads that pop up, etc. all contribute towards the bottom line of Facebook and I no longer feel comfortable using the platform. I personally am not in any of the above-mentioned groups and I understand the slippery slope argument with policing content. However, I have a choice to make...I don't pay for Facebook because of course the site is free, but I don't have to help them make money either. I do have to keep my account active because I run the monthly Bunco group out of Facebook, but maybe I can find a better place to house that as well. Either way, I am looking forward to reclaiming some time by not mindlessly scrolling through Facebook every day.
Do you still have Facebook?
5 comments:
I have Facebook and need to keep it for work, and I have it on one device and not the other. It is something I think about a lot. My non-Facebook device feels a lot more relaxing in many ways.
This week's moral dilemma -- to ever eat at Panera again.
It's mind boggling to me that people can spout so much nonsense, and others get on board with it. How in the world can people be so callous as to torment a family after such a tragedy and loss of a child? To the extent that they've had to move SIX times to escape death threats!!?!? Unbelievable.
Yes, I still have Facebook. I really enjoy the connection with friends and family. However, I also know that scrolling through facebook consumes way too much of my time. I generally try to scroll right on by all the negative stuff that pops up. It really is too bad that the Alex Jones's of the world are allowed to get away with such crap. Your post does make me think twice about why I keep my facebook account.
Dammit. I love/hate fb. As a SAHM it's my connection to the world (sadly). We move frequently fot husband's job and my friends are spread out, so fb is my way to stay connected. But I hate it. It's mindless, soul-sucking, fake-ass BS. XOXO
I've heard some of those Sandy Hook stories and they're horrifying. It's part of my job to be on Facebook, otherwise I would be on it far less. I'm trying to be more intentional about it though and maintaining my relationships in real life.
I still have Facebook, but I have a complicated relationship with it. I have family and friends across the country, and it helps me keep in touch, but at the same time I don't like what they platform does, ethically. And I don't like how it brings out the worst in people, and promotes a fake reality. Bryce got rid of his on his phone and almost never used it, and he's much happier.
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