have you had a FB account and then decide to close it? update-post 11

[brgnmom]

I'm thinking about closing my Facebook account.... I've only had it for less than a year, and while I enjoy being able to stay in touch with friends from HS and college, along with some cousins, I feel like it's been a recent burden (in terms of protecting pictures/privacy, etc). In addition, I'll post an update like how we're excited to move in less than 2 months and it's not like that many people really care to comment. I also believe that having my Facebook account has unexpectedly made my relationship with one of my cousins less close. I emailed her directly yesterday morning, instead of responding to her FB post on my page asking if I'm pregnant... and guess what? She hasn't responded to my email, and yet she is very, very quick to respond to FB.

I'm wondering if anyone else has had a Facebook account and then decided to close it without regrets. Thank you in advance.

[DrSally]

I don't know if closing it will solve that problem (the closeness issue). I have relatives on FB that will respond to you within 2 min, but take months to get back to a regular email. Very frustrating before I joined FB. If you're having privacy issues, that's another matter.

[infomama]

I did. It was fun to reconnect with some old friends but after that it just became more of a burden...I just don't have the time to devote to it. I closed mine with no regrets.

[Ceepa]

Interesting article about FB, including account deactivation.

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/02/didnt-you-know.html

Some of the "hiccups" may have been addressed since this article came out. I don't know, I don't have a FB account.

[SnuggleBuggles]

It's so much faster to type a simple "Congrats" on FB if you are already on there than to give a longer email reply, which they may feel you expect, kwim? I just don't know if deleting your FB will solve anything b/c you may lose out on a way that people are staying connected. I joined FB when a friend said she stopped checking her regular email b/c if she uses FB then she knows she isn't getting spam and the people she is talking to are the people she really wants to be talking to. I have friends that are just moving away from other forms of communication so it's a case of if you can't beat them, join them.

Beth

[Fairy]

I deleted mine, then came baack, which I resent, but that's a whole 'nother show. I did close mine, but I was shocked to see when I came back, the whole thing came back, I didn't need to start over. Wanted to start o er but there were people that I was friends with then that I wanted to get rid of that didn't stay gone when I reopened the account. I had to unfriend them instead. I don't regret leaving, I'd do it again if I felt I needed to. I think the security is nuts, so that alone makes me question why I'm there. If it feels right to leave, then go. That's my advice.

[Mommy_Again]

Yes, I have deactivated and reactivated several times. I actually like this feature, because even if you don't actively want to "Facebook" with others, you can log on, snoop around to see what your friends are up to (does anyone ever use regular email to send pictures anymore? Not many that I know of!), and then deactivate again and no one ever knows you were there.

Maybe your cousin doesnt check email that much anymore because she is on FB so much...so give her a little time :)

[Fairy]

Yes, I have deactivated and reactivated several times. I actually like this feature, because even if you don't actively want to "Facebook" with others, you can log on, snoop around to see what your friends are up to (does anyone ever use regular email to send pictures anymore? Not many that I know of!), and then deactivate again and no one ever knows you were there.

Maybe your cousin doesnt check email that much anymore because she is on FB so much...so give her a little time :)

The problem with this approach is that it assumes everyone should be on FB. Everyone wants to communciate by FB. Everyone wants to socially network online. Everyone is confident in the privacy options afforded them in FB, or even the privacy options afforded them in photo sharing/storage sites. The bolded statement above is very assuming. I dunno, maybe it's generational. But I use email all the time. No one I know has a problem with me using email, and I know alot of people in different age groups. I don't plan on discontinuing this approach anytime soon.

I think FB is a great tool, but it is not going to replace all electronic communications for me.

[TwinFoxes]

I also believe that having my Facebook account has unexpectedly made my relationship with one of my cousins less close. I emailed her directly yesterday morning, instead of responding to her FB post on my page asking if I'm pregnant... and guess what? She hasn't responded to my email, and yet she is very, very quick to respond to FB.


I don't get why this makes you less close in your eyes? I could understand if you said you used to see each other, or even talk on the phone all the time, but now she only FB's. I don't see regular email as being better/more personal than a FB message (not a wall post but a personal FB message).

I have never felt a need to delete my account. I'm not as security conscious as a lot of people on this board. I have friends who have deactivated. They both came back. I think you should deactivate if it's causing you stress. But some things may not resolve just because you're not on FB any longer.

BTW, don't feel bad if people don't comment on your status updates. Not all of my updates are commented on. And mine are all fabulous! :rolleyes: just kidding. :)

Good luck with your move!!

[SnuggleBuggles]

BTW, don't feel bad if people don't comment on your status updates. Not all of my updates are commented on.


Absolutely! I hardly get any comments on there but people will bring them up IRL. That used to feel weird but I've gotten used to them. People read to feel caught up and connected and don't feel a need to comment. I've been known not to comment simply because I don't to see notifications, think they are for something I posted but are really just comments to someone else's post that I really didn't care that much about in the 1st place.

Beth

[brgnmom]

Thank you for all your helpful responses. So I decided to keep my FB account after thinking about the consequences of closing it. FB would make it easier to stay in touch with my mommy friends in Boston after we move to the west coast. I decided to put my issues with my older cousin aside -- she emailed me back over the weekend which was nice, and it turns out that she has also been very busy getting ready for a move b/c she + her family sold their place.

I haven't made the big announcement (about expecting again) on FB yet, but I think I will in a week-and-a-half after my 12-week appt. Or maybe I'll wait until June right after we find out the gender of baby2.

Thank you again!