Social Media sites,

I used to post a lot on Facebook, but now rarely do. I’m still a member of various local and interest groups though, and an old girls’ group, so find it very useful for keeping up with what’s going on.

I’m signed up for Instagram and X. The former I’ve never really got to grips with, the second I have a look at when I hear (usually from Facebook) that something interesting or funny’s going on.

I wouldn’t be without YouTube. From exercise videos to fixing a printer to checking out funeral songs to putting up a gazebo, it’s fantastic. And all for free.

I keep in touch with family and friends who live far and wide on facebook and I find Youtube very versatile including '"armchair travelling" :-)

I loathe FB. There is so much hatred, contempt and division in the world; I believe social media is used to fuel this and spread misinformation. And don't get me started on "influencers."

You must be in the wrong groups, Gotellthebees!

Occasionally there are ridiculous posts on the local FB page, trolling type posts but they are soon put back in their place.

Other groups I belong to seem very polite and helpful.

I used to pride myself on my use of technology but it all seems to have gone beyond me now. I do use FB, online groups and whatsapp but only occasionally and again I'm sure I am missing out a lot. I even struggle with the TV, never having seen, used or even heard of some of things people mention on here.

I could do with one of those Idiots Guides to things. I fear that if I become housebound or even just failing health I will become isolated and very bored.

Oh, and I don't understand these new doorbell options or smoke detectors. Nor can I work out whether my lights will take LED bulbs or not. I even struggle with setting the central heating.

MadMeg
No need to buy anything. We have a lot of tech knowledge on here between us. Just ask 🙂
I’m assuming you don’t have a smart tv? as you said you had never seen or heard of some of the stuff mentioned on here.

Only email.

Dislike corporate tracking and unwanted adverts ..

I’m on FB, only to connect with friends from my hometown.

Possibly. I follow a vegan diet (not militant I hasten to add), and so I would look at pages for tips, recipes etc. The level of abuse was appalling, and I found I just could not stomach it anymore. No pun intended 😁

Does Gransnet not count as social media? Youtube is only one I use especially as have sorted the hassle of their adverts. I have a pseudo FB account to keep up with interest groups and never did any of the others.

Vintagegirl
Of course it is. Some members don’t realise when they sign up that MumsNet ( the holding company) own everything we post.

Does Gransnet not count as social media?

Of course. I’d assumed it was self-evident that we’re all on it though.

petra

Vintagegirl
Of course it is. Some members don’t realise when they sign up that MumsNet ( the holding company) own everything we post.

They may own everything we post on this site, but they don't own our other SM , our lives or our other identity outside of GN. That's why I don't use anything else concerned with GN.

To me, this is separate.

Gotellthebees

Possibly. I follow a vegan diet (not militant I hasten to add), and so I would look at pages for tips, recipes etc. The level of abuse was appalling, and I found I just could not stomach it anymore. No pun intended 😁

Goodness, that sounds awful!

I haven't seen any abuse on the craft groups but certainly the local community FB group page attracts some very odd replies to innocent requests.

I post things here that I wouldnt post elsewhere, purely because my identity is private.
Its not you, fb is wierd. No way Id post there about my diet or anything private. I have my privacy set as high as possible and rarely write anything unless its in a private group.

The only one I have been on was Facebook, which I deleted during the pandemic because I couldn’t believe the antics of people. Washing shopping , putting post in quarantine etc etc . Another thing was clapping for the NHS ! My DD is a nurse working on the front line and she thought it was ridiculous too.
I just got so frustrated with it all that Facebook had to go. I’ve not been tempted to get any of the social platforms since .

I thank those unknown FB users who take the trouble to post old photos of places and ships that interest me. I like my friends' posts oj FB which are sometimes funny jokes.

Caleo

I thank those unknown FB users who take the trouble to post old photos of places and ships that interest me. I like my friends' posts oj FB which are sometimes funny jokes.

There are some very interesting groups on FB and not all are controversial.

Madmeg, I hope that Age UK would supply you with contact details for the sort of handy person you require. I too need help in these areas you mention.

I'm a member of a number of interest groups on Facebook. It's also a way of keeping in touch with old or far flung friends. I can only assume that people who denigrate it have never tried it or haven't set their privacy settings.
I'm also on Twitter a lot. Similarly I follow particular interests and block posts I don't want to see.
I interact on Instagram with my DGS and love seeing the little videos of various animals posted there.
Social media is how you use it.

Like many others here, I apreciate the posts of others but don't post on FB.

It's also possible to post anonymously within a Facebook group, which can be a useful feature if you don't want to stay private.

Exactly, Aveline - you can easily lock down your privacy settings to limit who can see your page or your posts. I find it very useful for keeping in touch with friends who have moved away from the area, and it's a useful source of local news from various residents' groups too. It's all about how you use it.

Oops I meant if you DO want to stay private

I came of Twitter when it became X as it is so toxic.

Facebook is a given and had certainly helped me with my social life and keeping up with those far away. Been there since the start. It's so nice when lovely memories appear.

I watch tiktok videos but don't create. There are some very funny videos. Take everything with a pinch of salt.

I have Instagram but only look once in a while. I couldn't be an influencer if I tried!

I use YouTube for all sorts of things. It's so useful. If you want to know how to do something, YouTube will have a useful video.