The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #170557   Message #4125596
Posted By: Steve Shaw
08-Nov-21 - 08:26 PM
Thread Name: BS: Let's ditch Facebook
Subject: RE: BS: Let's ditch Facebook
There are lots of posts here of the sentiment that "I enjoy it, it keeps me in touch, I avoid the harm, I can judge for myself and ignore the bad stuff..."

Thing is, as pfr points out, not everyone can keep themselves safe on Facebook. Not everyone can think for themselves sufficiently to avoid the harm. Millions of people are refusing the vaccine because of Facebook and its ilk. Vicious campaigns, such as the ones being carried on outside school gates to harass young people into refusing the vaccine... Millions of people hoodwinked by conspiracy theories...Suicide cults... and, every time, the powers-that-should-be at Facebook are way behind the curve and a good deal of damage is done before remedies are put in place (and note the reluctance to put them in place...). There is a massive mental ill-health issue burgeoning among young people especially. There's bullying, there's body-image issues, there's sexual harassment...and those suicide cults...

Lots of aspects of life contain both good and bad. No getting away from that. The thing about Facebook is that membership is entirely voluntary. A few years ago we didn't know we needed it. It may be good for you but it's bad for a lot of people (and it's harsh and unfeeling to just tell them to get a grip, like you've done...), and there's a don't-care attitude afoot among the Facebook top dogs. OK, so let's not ditch Facebook, but let's at least acknowledge that the organisation we are helping to perpetuate via our membership is doing a lot of harm. A lot. Maybe to people not as tough-minded as you. Be careful who you blame for that.