Create a low profile Facebook account?

[COcheesehead]

Facebook is what you decide to make it. You can block the obnoxious people and ads. If you participate, you never know the fun you can have. I keep up with my family who are all over the US. I have reconnected with former co workers, high school friends and long lost friends. If you keep up your page, FB can be a source of joy and fun. You just need to manage what shows up on your feed. Just my two cents.

[Midpack]

FB has been a revelation to me. I've gotten to know many casual acquaintances I've "known" for years a lot better through FB. Some for the better, but a surprising number to the worse - mostly their politics. I've had to unfollow a few who were completely obnoxious, and I've never heard them represent themselves that way in person over the 20 years I've "known" them. And some of them I've purposely kept more distance, versus pursuing closer friendships, all because of how they represent themselves on FB.

Just another surprise re: the interwebs and social media...

[dixonge]

I've basically stopped looking at my feed, and I 'follow' very few people. This turns Facebook into something where my friends can read all my posts, but I never see theirs. Not very reciprocal, to be sure.

However, my recent big revelation about Facebook is how they are splitting out their independent services on their mobile apps. I currently use Facebook Messenger for both FB private messages to friends and regular SMS texting. I use Facebook Groups to keep up with different groups I'm a member of. I don't have the actual Facebook app installed on my phone!

It works better for me this way. I'm not there for cat pictures, I'm there to discuss interests with others who have the same interests. Kinda like the E-R site.

[COcheesehead]

I agree Midpack. I also find the "shadow" accounts kind of creepy. I always wonder why they choose to be a voyeur and not participate. You know they are there, they just never engage. Kind of like someone watching you from the corner of the room.

[audreyh1]

We pretty much only joined FB to participate in Facebook Groups, and because all the parks and nature centers around here have FB pages and that's the easiest way to track what is going on.

On our own FB page we only share a few things related to our nature photography and sometimes travel pictures. After being exposed to so many personal "sharing" posts and emotional political rants and posts people feel compelled to share for some reason, we do not participate in that stuff. We certainly do not share our personal opinions on anything.

[missedearly62]

Dont be fearful! You miss much if you are. You do control what you see, what others if any see. And you can have multiple accounts; just need a unique email address for each, easy to do with gmail.

[teejayevans]

I remember getting spam emails from friends who signed up for FB, FB somehow would get their contacts. Be careful, they may get more information than you intended to give them.

[COcheesehead]

Quote:

Originally Posted by teejayevans I remember getting spam emails from friends who signed up for FB, FB somehow would get their contacts. Be careful, they may get more information than you intended to give them.

I bet it was because they signed into a game or app that says "we will access your friends, OK?" and some, not too smart folks, say yes.

[brucethebroker]

Interesting stuff-thanks for the info on FB.

DW and I do not use FB (never have) because of the privacy issue. Kids let us know (from their FB accouts) about relatives and friends looking for us.

If you want to see some real life negatives of FB, watch HUNTED on CBS. Couples try to outsmart "chasers"-former CIA, cops, hackers, etc. by staying "on the run". The first thing the chasers do is pull FB accounts and start tracking friends and family to find clues about where the runners might be hiding out. Chilling how FB helps connect the dots.....of course, it's all pretend stuff for TV and not real, right

BTW, we are now addicted to watching HUNTED....