Withdrawing from social media!

[Deleted User 18446]

I love it if dont like something just click don't show anymore from this person .That soon cuts down the crap wife has control of remote so I watch YouTube she watches the soaps and dramas .We have an official hand over at 10 pm when she tells me what she's recording so I don't turn Box off too early lol .I can then watch discovery channel

[iansoady]

I agree with most of what's been said. I avoid FB apart from lurking on the Norton singles and X-max pages although I rarely stay long and have opted out of everything and have provided minimal (not necessarily correct) personal data. There are forums which I joined 15 years ago which I still enjoy - for example the Velo one - but most I drop when I no longer have the bike. The ones I'm still with are this one (obviously!) which I find to be one of the best, certain subforums of revtothelimit eg the riding skills area, the thumper club, bikes and travels, Moto Guzzi riders and the Norton Owners. I generally log in for 30 minutes or so for a quick scan of these most mornings or when other activities permit.

I don't have a problem answering sensible questions about bikes I've had in the past (or general motorcycling issues) but have seen the quality of contributors drop off in the last few years. I think many have gone to facebook but I won't follow there apart from the exceptions I noted above.

[Data]

That's pretty much how I've been doing things Ian. But it does creep up on you and time certainly can pass quite quickly when you are having fun...if you see what I mean. Anyhoo, not doing that anymore and it's like a weight has been lifted. I've actually talked some guys through doing an engine or gearbox build and it's gone ok but it can be a challenge and I do feel personally responsible for how the job goes. Thankfully it's always gone ok, even with the odd hickup. I've also popped around to see some folks who don't live too far from me and actually done the job for them. But not doing that anymore. Back doesn't like it unless it's on a lift or high bench. The world of the internet can be fun, but you really have to try hard to not let it take over you life!

Oh no...this thread has taken over my life!!

[Funkycowie]

As Rocketman says there is a big difference between the instant messaging to all and sundry such as facebook etc. and the sensibly moderated forums such as this one.

To be honest apart from two users being given the boot and a little genuine spam every now and again that manages to find its way through, over the past several years we just let you all self moderate.

[Waldorf]

Social Media is a life-line for me. I 'do' church as well, which for me is a second life-line.
Since my 'divorce' ten years ago I have relied on Facebook and my scooter forums to keep in close touch with friends, contact that would be far more tenuous without it.
This has been even more apparent during the past two years.
Having had to move to pastures new, pastures inhabited by complete strangers apart from my sister and brother-in-law, new friendships and connections had to be forged, not easy at my time of life, not least because the vast quantity of people my age have well-established circles of friends.
My sister keeps telling me I can phone people; that is indeed true but people with families are often not free to chat and most are rightly taken up with their wives, husbands, children and so on to pick up the phone to make social calls.
I know for a fact that some of them keep an eye on me on Facebook, though.
I wonder constantly how things would be if things had been different and I was still with my partner but I do know how fortunate I am to have good friends, even if they are far away, a nice house in a nice town by the sea and sufficient funds to be relatively comfortable but life would be desperately lonely without the Internet.

Just saying.

[Greyerbeard]

Social Media is a life-line for me. I 'do' church as well, which for me is a second life-line.
Having had to move to pastures new, pastures inhabited by complete strangers apart from my sister and brother-in-law, new friendships and connections had to be forged, not easy at my time of life, not least because the vast quantity of people my age have well-established circles of friends.
Just saying.

Without knowing your age, fitness etc...I know it takes a bit of 'forcing yourself' but could you think about getting involved in some kind of voluntary work? It's been a Godsend for me...

[Data]

Social Media is a life-line for me. I 'do' church as well, which for me is a second life-line.
Since my 'divorce' ten years ago I have relied on Facebook and my scooter forums to keep in close touch with friends, contact that would be far more tenuous without it.
This has been even more apparent during the past two years.
Having had to move to pastures new, pastures inhabited by complete strangers apart from my sister and brother-in-law, new friendships and connections had to be forged, not easy at my time of life, not least because the vast quantity of people my age have well-established circles of friends.
My sister keeps telling me I can phone people; that is indeed true but people with families are often not free to chat and most are rightly taken up with their wives, husbands, children and so on to pick up the phone to make social calls.
I know for a fact that some of them keep an eye on me on Facebook, though.
I wonder constantly how things would be if things had been different and I was still with my partner but I do know how fortunate I am to have good friends, even if they are far away, a nice house in a nice town by the sea and sufficient funds to be relatively comfortable but life would be desperately lonely without the Internet.

Just saying.

Is social media in all its various forms a good thing? Absolutely! I just need less of it. We all tend to use it & need it differently. There are no rules on that. Carry on doctor, it's doing you good!

[Waldorf]

My circumstances:
I am 72 and suffer from COPD, making it quite a struggle at times to walk any distance, hence the reason for my buying my e-moped.
Yes, I do do voluntary work and say that I do it in the context of my church membership.
I estimate that that takes up two or three hours four or five times each week.
For a considerable period in the last two years the churches were closed as were many public organisations so there was no contact with anyone.
I am on the 'Vulnerable People' list so had a weekly delivery of groceries during the main lock-down; I was grateful for it.

I bought a house with no garden since I do not have the strength to maintain one.

There is, however, no substitute for direct contact and and Social Media goes some way towards alleviating that situation.

I'm not complaining although readers may think I am but pointing out that Facebook and the Scooter Forums do serve a useful, social purpose for some of us so don't be too quick to denigrate them if it's not for you.

Incidentally, my age and a couple of other details about me are in my profile.

[Data]

Yes, concerning social media generally, I wouldn't denigrate it and I don't think that's what I've done. It's so very useful for lots of things for lots of people. Sorry to hear about the COPD Waldorf.

[dogwheel]

Last week a pal had his FB hacked, he worried about it and warned his contacts not to open any messages from him. I never really understood much about FB and have taken great delight in permanently deleting my FB "account" feels great to be rid of the bloody thing!