Millennials Say to Facebook: "I Used to Love You But..."

[KaidenKass00]

Facebook. It was the biggest thing since sliced bread and of course, it continues to thrive. But recently, I've started to wonder if its wearing out its welcome with the all-important millennial demographic.

I have many friends who would describe their Facebook participation as follows:

"Oh, I used to love it. I used to be on there all the time. Now...I dunno, not so much I guess."

And why? Well, there are all sorts of reasons and some of them can be found in a 2015 Entrepreneur article, which has some sound reasoning. The author finds that millinnials simply use Facebook differently than other demographics, and they're also starting to use it less. In fact, I think a whole lot of people in their 20s might agree with this:

He makes one very good point: You can't really tell your parents and other members of your family, "yeah, I don't feel like Friending you." I've been hearing this for a WHILE. There was a time when you didn't really have to worry about your mom checking your Facebook page to see what you've been up to; now, your mom is more active on that damn site than you are. And what are you going to do? Un-Friend her? The privacy of teens is a given and Facebook used to offer that diary-type feel, where only close friends could see certain things. Not so much now.

For so many teens/Millennials, Facebook = Openbook.

Want more evidence? Check out this GaG question and all the comments; look how MANY people said they're just not into Facebook anymore. For some, they never were into it and don't plan to get all that involved in the future, either. And here, check this out:

Yeah, the ads are getting to be bitch, too. There are lots of reasons why Millennials are starting to ditch Facebook; other reasons include interest in other social media, like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, etc. You're already seeing that the average age of a Facebook user is a LOT higher than it used to be, and that age is only going to increase with time, in my opinion. The oldsters will use it to "keep in touch" and the youngsters, who will always value their privacy, will keep shying away from it.

What say you, fellow GaGers?

[Prof_Don]

I remember when I joined Facebook when it debuted in 2004; I was a freshman in college.

Way back then Facebook was ONLY for colleges and universities, and each school's entire schedule of classes was on there so everyone can see whose classes they were taking. VERY useful for networking and setting up study groups... as well as parties!

The college-centric model of Facebook was what swayed us college students off of MySpace (as well as the privacy; only college students and a few faculty members can see our posts).

Then in 2006 Facebook got extended to high schools... now our little brothers and sisters can see our posts. Then in 2007 it was totally public. Ah damn, my mom friend requested me! Fuck, gotta clean up my profile!

And starting around 2009, the REALLY BIG issue is that companies started screening applicants based on their Facebook profiles, which is unfair because people are judged professionally by their private lives. Now that fun drunken pics can cost u $$$ or the job of your dreams , now the fun of Facebook is dead.

Now THAT was when Facebook became a lot more tame, no more drunken and suggestive pics. Now Facebook is full of motivational quotes and family/pet photos. Damn employers ruined Facebook!

[Anonymous]

They'll be back...

FB sucks for inside jokes, private conversations, coolness, deep authenticity, etc. Basically all the great stuff about being young.

It's great for staying in touch, organizing plans, etc.
It's basically a great to stay in touch with people you feel benevolently towards, but can include those you don't have a really intimate connection to. You can just "like" pics of their baby in a way that says "Hey, glad you're doing well." Facebook is like the local diner of social media platforms. A place to run into people you enjoy seeing and hearing from, but aren't close enough to go to their home.

More intimate, personal stuff goes to other platforms.

[KaidenKass00]

So what you're saying is, in another decade or so, after the millennials have families of their own and careers and everything, they'll come back to Facebook?

This means FB is going to have to find a new way to get that all-important demographic BACK. From a marketing standpoint, at any rate.

[Opinion Owner]

Yeah, I think so. Teens want their own space. It's the reason they'll drive around in cars wasting gas talking about nothing. I don't know if there's a way around it, since most people don't seem to use the robust privacy settings that are already there...

The problem with marketing is that it's a huge the reason social media platforms start to suck. And I'm in marketing, haha! But only for a nonprofit.

I think as companies start to be less invasive and idiotic (See Crocs Bowie misstep), maybe that helps keep people. They don't mind interacting with companies they love - like getting a killer cocktail recipie or interviews with an actor or CEO they love. But that spam shit has got to stop!

[KaidenKass00]

Spam shit runs the Internet, unfortunately. LOL

[ObscuredBeyond]

There are other reasons to be mad at Facebook, such as the double standards with regard to its policies. I have this one friend, for example. Trolls trying to have her zapped from every single place she has ever had any association with can say the most vile things, and Facebook would let it stand.

But if I repost a screenshot of the trolls and their remarks and go piece-by-piece showing how irrational, illogical, clueless, and unstable the trolls evidently are and how ignorant of the nature of the laws they cite they are, then I'm the one that gets Facebook Jail. TWO YEARS after posting my rebuttal.

As well as learning that the gal's sister was the first to contact the trolls and get them started. And that after the two gals had a court settlement to put a cease-fire to their feud, the loony one begins stalking me online so that she can send a cease-and-desist letter to my parents' house to make sure that I never mention her by name again. And that is considered okay.

In other words: "Attacking others is bad. Unless it's this one gal whose views Zuckerberg doesn't like. Then, all manner of abuse against her is okay. But if you defend her, or if you discredit those that attack her, even by explaining the law to show their ignorance, there will be consequences."

Why more millennials aren't up in arms about Facebook doing that is beyond me.

For historical reference: the law that was being cited by the troll attacking my friend was the Baker Act in Florida. He (the troll) believes that because she won't endorse gay adoption, that she should be abducted from her home and put in a mental hospital - like they did in Soviet-era Russia.

I not only called out the troll on his fascist tendencies, I also pointed out the flaws in his application of the Baker Act. First, it does not authorize the government to kidnap anyone from their homes.

It only authorizes it if they're on the street, demonstrably unstable, and pose a clear and present danger caused by being mentally unstable. As in, tearing apart a phone poll and attacking others with the splinters at random type crazy. Adherence to a certain view about adoption in and of itself does not qualify.

Second, it only applies to residents of Florida, not North Carolina. So to use it on her would still be an illegal kidnapping, even if done by someone who believes as the troll did about her views on adoption.

His threatening to have her kidnapped? Okay with FB. My rebuttal? FB Jail for one day. 2 years later

[brain5000]

I still use it, but I customize every post's privacy settings and have every single one of my friends organized into groups. I also have a boatload of people in the "Acquaintances" and "Restricted" groups, so I see them less and they see me hardly ever at all.

You can have all of the privacy, friend your parents and everyone else. Problem is that no one wants to take the time to figure it out. It probably took your more time to put together this Take than it would to tune your Facebook up for privacy.

[KaidenKass00]

The strange part is that most people aren't even aware of the privacy settings.

[brain5000]

Yeah, that is strange - especially if it is as important as you say it is. Privacy gives you the power to post what you want. Without it, I would have dropped Facebook too.

If you aren't aware of privacy settings or don't know how to use them, and would like to know, click here: https://www.facebook.com/help/120939471321735

[brain5000]

Also, if this is as important as you say, why haven't people jumped over to Google+, where you can't add a friend without adding them to a privacy group ("Circle") and you can't post anything with specifying which "circles" it is intended for?

[redeyemindtricks]

Yeah, but, FB has always been notoriously anti-privacy. Not too explicitly, but, every time they've rolled out "privacy updates", they've always accompanied them with weasel words about how "people love to share with each other" and "ultimately you control what information you post online." And, well, we all know what that REALLY means.

Not to mention that you're giving them permission to share lots and lots of information with any and all of their developers... and there are lots and lots of FB developers.

You'd be surprised how much said developers can figure out about you, through analytics. Even back in 2009 they could already tell who was gay, simply be looking at friend lists (www.boston.com/.../?page=full) Privacy ain't as private as you think.

[redeyemindtricks]

"by, not be.

[brain5000]

@redeyemindtricks You could block developers from accessing your information. https://www.facebook.com/settings?tab=applications

[brain5000]

I disabled apps, websites and plugins on my Facebook, and turned off all of the options under "apps others use." I can't use apps on my FB, and apps can't use me. It all works out.

[ChromAzonyx108]

I still have facebook but I don't go on it as often anymore. Now I go on G@G.

I never knew about the algorithm thing for facebook's newsfeed. That might explain why I only see posts from like 4 or 5 people even though I have more people on facebook. Or it could also be that they don't use facebook very often.

[KaidenKass00]

"Now I go on G@G."

Yeah, me too. :)

[JSmuve]

Facebook is scum and I never should've gotten it. I got it in 2006 when it was picking up steam but it was a bad decision. Used the right way it can be a very powerful tool but it wasn't for me. Not at that stage of my life. I still have my account but I never log on. There are so many problems with Facebook and social media in general.

[KaidenKass00]

I do agree to some extent. Sounds a little like you had a bad experience on there, too...

[Watermelonoma]

the thing with facebook is that it really isn't built for exchanging ideas and getting your viewpoint on important matters out there. I mean i only use it to occasionally get caught up with a friend or w/e... but i find it to be really impersonal now, and its really just a way for people to show off their latest selfies really. Nothing really engaging there.

[bloodmountain1990]

I'm neutral towards Facebook. I'm not pro facebook or anti facebook but I mainly use it to keep up with old friends I haven't seen in awhile and sometimes I meet new friends through groups based on music and other interests. It's also a good way to find out about new music, shows, and many other things as well.

A lot of those people who complain about facebook because it's too "dramatic" usually are the ones full of drama and make whiny statuses all the time.

[COCOCHANEL]

never caught on here.

everyone's addicted to LINE

[Anonymous]

I never used facebook much and I keep everything private. I only use it to chat with my friends and to keep updated about my university, so I know if I have homework and stuff.

And I never click videos on facebook out of principle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7tA3NNKF0Q

[Universehateme]

I'm planning to deactivate my Facebook this MyTake is on time to help me decide

[KaidenKass00]

Well now, I didn't really mean for it to dissuade people. :) Just a discussion piece, really. Why were you planning to deactivate it in the first place?

[Universehateme]

Cuz I can't focus on more than 3 social media & I've Fb, Tumblr, insta, Snap, what's up, kik.. I deleted YouTube recently.. it's feel like 7 wives I can't lol

[Universehateme]

+ Saudis are the only people not using Fb, all my friends went to Path, Insta, Snap, Twitter.. only few of my family active on it... I resort only Saudis like that.. They like the new things 😂

[xOGxDub]

well facebook had a longrun
remember when this happened to myspace?
wonder what the next main social media will be

[KaidenKass00]

Yeah, I remember when MySpace was all the rage. Almost seems like we're overdue for another biggie...

[xOGxDub]

Yuppp

[croxy]

Facebook is a thing for the older generation now. It's 100% true I don't even use it anymore (been like that for a while) and my mom is there 24/7.

[KaidenKass00]

Yeah, that's what I'm hearing. "I don't really use it but my mom does like all the time!"

[utopianromance]

After 6 years of NOT having facebook, I'm back on it as of four days ago.

[dudeman]

i deleted my face book about 7 years ago.

[KaidenKass00]

Ever think of going back to it for any reason?

[dudeman]

no why would i

[KaidenKass00]

Well, if your friends started using it more, for instance.

[dudeman]

they use it all the time

[KaidenKass00]

And that doesn't prompt you to use it at all?

[dudeman]

why would it

[KaidenKass00]

Because it's a social media platform designed to keep friends and family in touch?

I mean, I don't really use it but that's what I hear people say all the time. :)

[dudeman]

If your friends jumped off a bridge would u too.

[Octavius]

I stopped using it at the end of 2012.

[apple24]

That was so 2002 hahah!

[Anonymous]

Facebook is really WASTE OF TIME!!!