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Coronavirus

Does anyone still use Facebook these days?

(109 Posts)
Judy54 Thu 02-Apr-20 17:24:35

I don't use social media, apart from Granset and am a complete novice. Friends and family are keeping in touch by phone, email and text which is great. However groups that I belong to have set up pages on Whatsapp and/or Facebook. I can't acccess whattsapp as I don't have a smartphone so would facebook be the next best thing? It looks like there is so much more on there than groups I belong to including links to what is happening in my neighbourhood/community at this time. Any advice/tips would be most welcome.

Pikachu Fri 03-Apr-20 16:19:51

FB is a great way to keep in touch. Just choose your friends with care and don’t accept requests from people unless you know them and want them.,

Pikachu Fri 03-Apr-20 16:21:30

Yes, great community links too. One in my area called ‘We Deliver’ has meant I can have meat, vegetables, medicines and toiletries, flour, dog food, all delivered by small local shops, pubs, etc..

ninathenana Fri 03-Apr-20 17:57:09

I joined FB several years ago and I spend far to much time scrolling through my news feed and watching videos. I belong to several groups including, local history, local traffic and travel 3 older peoples groups plus others. All of which have proved invaluable in the past weeks. I rarely start a post but I do comment

MamaCaz Fri 03-Apr-20 20:16:45

Judy54
I can't acccess whattsapp as I don't have a smartphone

Actually, you don't need to have a smartphone to access WhatsApp.
My mum only has an old, bog standard pay-as-you-go mobile, but my son has just managed, remotely, to set up WhatsApp on her tablet for her, using just the mobile telephone number in some way.

I can't tell you how to do it, because it was beyond me, but it can be done, and we are now in touch every day via video!

maryhoffman37 Sat 04-Apr-20 10:56:10

Yes, all the time, several times a day and for the last ?11 years. I find it helpful informative and a good way to keep in touch. Last week my husband even joined!

Mollygo Sat 04-Apr-20 10:57:17

I like FB. I belong to local groups which keeps me up to date with local events and occurrences. most useful when the city is in gridlock! Sometimes posts and comments show the nicer and nastier members of the local area.
I also belong to groups that are a chance to exchange the lighter side of life with jokes, funny stories or events and a reading group. No swearing is allowed on there or on my friends and family group. Give it a try.

Chino Sat 04-Apr-20 10:58:29

Facebook is very useful at the moment because local groups are putting offers of help on it, collecting prescriptions and shopping for elderly and vulnerable people

jenwren Sat 04-Apr-20 11:03:23

Yes
1 Keeps me in touch with family and friends
2 Joined a slow cook recipe group. Whoever knew you could make rice pudding in a slow cooker? or Baked potatoes?
3 Family tree group
4 Northern soul events
5 Events in local area
6 Latest news updates on Coronavirus

Technology has been a godsend in this pandemic.

optimist Sat 04-Apr-20 11:06:08

Facebook is just the best...........especially in the current situation. Local information. Local support. Family and friends linking up. And then theres Nextdoor........also very useful for local information and contacts. I love Social media.

Craftycat Sat 04-Apr-20 11:09:15

Yes- Facebook is very useful for keeping in touch with people I no longer see face to face ( abroad etc.)
I find quite a lot on it of interest.
I also use Whatsapp as we have a Street page so we can all keep in contact- sometimes it is just 'does anyone happen to have a spare onion? or something- we are a very close community & socialise a lot.
It is very useful at the moment in case any of the older residents need anything done for them or shopping etc..

TATT Sat 04-Apr-20 11:12:28

Someone nearby set up a WhatsApp group so that anyone who needed anything or could offer help can post it for everyone to see. It’s been running for a couple of days now and has been hijacked by two or three people who live next door to each other. There is a limit to how many times I want to read about antics people’s pets get up to.
Ah. I never realised that I was such a miserable morning Minnie...

TATT Sat 04-Apr-20 11:13:04

That should say moaning Minnie!

Lclaytonuk555 Sat 04-Apr-20 11:14:55

I’ve used it for years mostly to see how friends and family are doing. Now it’s great for local information e.g. which shops will deliver and also to see how other people are mamanging this ‘new normal’.

Tedd1 Sat 04-Apr-20 11:16:22

I joined Facebook seven years ago when my daughter and fiancé went to Australia for a year. It was lovely seeing all their photos. I also found my best friend from school and we now meet up every year somewhere as we're in opposite parts of the UK. However, It really distresses me when I see 'posts' from friends who have passed away and their details haven't been removed. I also belong to a few groups and love messenger!

dragonfly46 Sat 04-Apr-20 11:20:38

I have found FB invaluable. I joined a couple of breast cancer forums which are private and they provide me with more information than the hospital. Recently the local groups are amazing in letting you know about market stalls, garden centres, cafes, bread shops which deliver and volunteer groups.

I also have contact with my Dutch and Australian friends and my cousin in Austria as well as old school friends.

FB is good if you keep your privacy controlled.

Aepgirl Sat 04-Apr-20 11:21:49

Yes, but very carefully - just a choir closed group, and local area group. Certainly not globally.

Jane10 Sat 04-Apr-20 11:23:21

Urmstongran I hope you're realising after reading all these threads that it's probably useful to join Facebook. It's entirely up to you who you follow or what specific interest groups but currently the local support groups are really useful to know about.
Go on. Dip your toes in...

Alexa Sat 04-Apr-20 11:23:56

I use Facebook, and my posts are public. Many people prefer to choose to limit it to named friends.

I don't have one of those cell phones that takes photos so I get few replies.

beverly10 Sat 04-Apr-20 11:25:24

Apart from Gransnet I avoid facebook etc etc and the likes of.

Quizzer Sat 04-Apr-20 11:26:16

You can use WhatsApp on a tablet. Just google to see how.
Facebook can be safe if you don't put all your personal details on there. Don't check in from abroad or even outside the house so people don't know you are away. Set your privacy to friends only.

grannytotwins Sat 04-Apr-20 11:36:31

My special needs grandson joined today. He’s nearly 15 and missing his special school. My DD will police it and has added suitable family and friends. He can read and write. He’s thrilled. It’s made his day. I’ve found it so useful to get food delivered by local companies. Lots have never done a delivery service before. I hope they keep it going. Local gossip keeps me entertained too although there are a few nasty people out there. The good outweighs the bad at the moment.

WoodLane7 Sat 04-Apr-20 11:46:56

I frequently use Facebook; I belong to local groups which tell me what is going on around the village, you can get peoples recommendations for the likes of plumbers, electricians, handmen etc and give your own. I have been able to offer help to others in need via Facebook and someone helped me out when I needed an outside sensor light changing. Social Media can have its downsides but it can also be used positively, especially in these strange times.

Theoddbird Sat 04-Apr-20 11:57:00

I have been on Facebook msny years. It is a good way to keep in contact with people. I belong to narrow boating groups and one based where I live. Very helpful. Make sure your security settings only allow friends yo see you.

Paperbackwriter Sat 04-Apr-20 11:59:54

I'm very fond of Facebook. Originally I joined as it was a good way to keep in touch with other writers but it became so much more than that. Over the years, I've become 'real' friends with many from there and it's great to see what's happening with my daughters and their families, especially at the moment when I can't see them. The interest groups are fun too. Please be careful whose friend requests you accept though. That prince from Kenya hasn't really got a palace and 4 billion dollars and he only wants your bank details.

Albangirl14 Sat 04-Apr-20 12:00:59

I use facebook and last night our local hospice Keech held a quiz on facebook that you could watch and join in for free or donate if you wanted to. They raised over£ 3000 in an hour and it was fun