Dear Facebook,
We have a love hate relationship. I think it is time for us to take a break.
I work in social media and love how you allow me to do my job. You are actually my favorite social media platform to work on. Just ask my co-workers.
I LOVE being connected to people. You make people seem near when they are far. You have helped me connect with friends and family when we moved. You open doors to connect with people that I have never even met.
photo credit: stoneysteiner via photopin cc
You can be a wonderful thing. But you can also be a very bad thing. A VERY BAD THING.
Some people feel the need to share every single detail of their lives with you. Do they I think that you are a private network? Do they not know that a simple message can be seen by ALL?
People use you to intentionally hurt each other. One simple phrase can change someone’s world. They want for it to reach one person, but it reaches hundreds!
What is with the delete option? People think if they delete it that it is really gone. But it is NOT! Just like words cannot be unsaid, Facebook posts can not really be deleted. All it takes is one minute on social media for it to do terrible damage.
People share personal things with you like where they are, how they feel, and who they are with. They share intimate photos. Do they think the whole world needs to know or see those things? Do they have to tell me and the world that they went out for drinks? Who they hang out with? What music they listened to?
People hide behind you. They make it appear that everything is all roses. Those daily “feeling happy” posts are getting old. Seriously, is she ever not happy? Is everyday really that amazing? REALLY? No—but she sure makes it look like it. Then I feel like a loser.
People everywhere have become confused about FRIENDSHIP. Just because we are friends on a social network does not mean we are true, real friends. I hate that the line has become so blurred. We have friends in real life and friends on Facebook. It is true. I have those. I have found I spend less time focusing on those “real life” friends now. That has to stop.
I know it is not your fault. Like anything, people have taken advantage of what you offer and made it a bad thing.
Really, it’s not you. It is me. I can’t take all the negativity, careless people, dangerous lurkers, and bad influences.
I am addicted to you, so this will be hard.
We can still be friends. But we cannot be in a relationship anymore. You will see much less of me. You will see me for work. I’ll check in during work hours. But I will delete my app. I will not be sharing personal, private things any more.
It is goodbye for now. I need to fill this spot with love and positivity. It has been a fun ride. Thanks for the good times Facebook.
Sincerely, Heather
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