I first jumped on Facebook around 2006, at first it was harmless enough, I used to get back in touch with some old school friends, I joined a few fan groups for some gaming communities.I probably was addicted for a while, if I wasn't working or gaming, I was sat in front of my PC F5'ing Facebook every 30 seconds.
It only got worse as more of my family, my cousins first mainly as they are close in age to me, then gradually older family members as well. The first problem was information overload, people constantly posting status updates, going to work, photos of meals etc.
That however was ultimately nothing, soon fake drama became a regular thing with family members arguing publicly and people spreading malicious rumours, someone being unfriended could lead to threats and every so often vandalism and fights.
Compounding all of this, conspiracy theories became rampant and deeply held racist beliefs soon became apparent and obvious among several members of my family. I was forced to reconsider my opinion of a lot of them. Heated arguments arose from on multiple occasions. Fuck my own mother is now dating a hardcore conspiracy theorist, I hate his guts and I'm only civil to him because of my mother. I fear his influence will drag her further down the right wing conspiracy theory rabbithole. Even though ironically they didn't interact on social media before starting dating.
Since 2015 I have gone without using Facebook and deleted my account, my mental wellbeing has greatly improved as a result, I still suffer from depression and anxiety, but it is nowhere near as acute as it was when I was still actively using Facebook. To anyone else reading this thinking about reducing social media usage, I say go for it, cut that poison out of your life, for me Facebook is utterly utterly toxic and I'm never going back.
It only got worse as more of my family, my cousins first mainly as they are close in age to me, then gradually older family members as well. The first problem was information overload, people constantly posting status updates, going to work, photos of meals etc.
That however was ultimately nothing, soon fake drama became a regular thing with family members arguing publicly and people spreading malicious rumours, someone being unfriended could lead to threats and every so often vandalism and fights.
Compounding all of this, conspiracy theories became rampant and deeply held racist beliefs soon became apparent and obvious among several members of my family. I was forced to reconsider my opinion of a lot of them. Heated arguments arose from on multiple occasions. Fuck my own mother is now dating a hardcore conspiracy theorist, I hate his guts and I'm only civil to him because of my mother. I fear his influence will drag her further down the right wing conspiracy theory rabbithole. Even though ironically they didn't interact on social media before starting dating.
Since 2015 I have gone without using Facebook and deleted my account, my mental wellbeing has greatly improved as a result, I still suffer from depression and anxiety, but it is nowhere near as acute as it was when I was still actively using Facebook. To anyone else reading this thinking about reducing social media usage, I say go for it, cut that poison out of your life, for me Facebook is utterly utterly toxic and I'm never going back.
