Where Are All My Friends Now?

Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 11:54

I've been a Facebook user since 2007 and have been logging on most days since then to stay in touch with friends, read the news etc.

Recently I came to the realisation that very few of my friends are active on it, or X (aka Twitter) and many of the OG social networks. Given that I intended to use Facebook as a way to keep in touch with friends, this defeated the original intent of the platform so I deleted my account.

Since then, I have been feeling pretty good - not as many withdrawals as I expected, but obviously missing functionality like Marketplace. It has been good not being inundated with ads and toxic social media posts though.

But the question remains - where are all my friends now?

Have they left for micro social networks within WhatsApp, Discord and TikTok?

Have you left the large OG social networks too? Where do we go from here? Keen to hear where you've been.

Peace

Internet

Comments

  • foxmulder on 11/08/2023 - 11:57
    +6

    They move on :)

  • Taro Milk Tea on 11/08/2023 - 11:58
    +30

    Maybe they secretly unfriended you ;p

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 11/08/2023 - 12:02
      +13

      Sick of being asked or advised about skin care routines.

      • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:44
        +3

        Yeah. I do love my skin care routine :)

        • nobro25 on 13/08/2023 - 08:42

          Impressive… very nice! Let's see Patrick Bateman's skincare routine.

    • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:54

      Nah I can still see them. But I’ve certainly unfriended a few! Thanks Bobba.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 12/08/2023 - 15:01
        +7

        What did they say when you asked them?

        They may be wondering the same about you.

        If you never exchanged phone numbers, they may not have been your friends at all.

    • Dreamcast on 12/08/2023 - 10:06
      +2

      What a shock that is.

  • CodeXD on 11/08/2023 - 11:59
    -3

    Instagram and threads

    • Mechz on 11/08/2023 - 21:43

      KMN.

    • diss on 12/08/2023 - 10:40
      +12

      Threads is a ghost town

  • tallkid123 on 11/08/2023 - 12:04
    +4

    I only have social media accounts to spam competitions.

    I've won comps on all platforms (except TikTok) so I can't justify closing any of them just yet.

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/08/2023 - 12:06
    +43

    The number of actual IRL friends I have now can be counted on 1 hand. I legit have more friends on ozbargain ( all anonymous, genuine interactions
    ) Everyone else on my social media just judge and stalk anyway.

    • BewareOfThe Dog on 11/08/2023 - 12:38
      +6

      As always, love your work. ;)

    • Dreamcast on 12/08/2023 - 10:06
      +1

      Hi friend, how's things?

  • Nitrollparty on 11/08/2023 - 12:09
    +3

    FB for my human interactions daily, X for my crypto interactions, discord for my crypto friends interactions

    • ashdays on 11/08/2023 - 18:50

      This is me!

  • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2023 - 12:11
    +2

    You have no other contact with your friends other than FB?

  • spackbace on 11/08/2023 - 12:13
    +12

    Tbh, lately I've been hating the sheer number of ads on FB. It's like a couple of weeks ago it all changed and there were far more posts from companies or other pages that I didn't follow

    • johninmelb on 11/08/2023 - 21:07
      +1

      Get Fluff Busting Purity and clean up your FB and get rid of the ads. Best thing since sliced bread.

      https://www.fbpurity.com/

    • Subere on 13/08/2023 - 11:27
      +1

      I log onto FB prob a couple times a month at most and the entire feed is "suggested post" and it's just ridiculous memes or "discussion points" of marvel or star wars. The amount of times I've pressed turn off suggested posts…

  • Brick Tamland on 11/08/2023 - 12:16
    +14

    FB has changed. Now it's just a reel of ads. The only people posting are those on holidays showing off happy snaps.

    • Stopback on 11/08/2023 - 12:18
      +2

      When is ozbargain reels comming Scotty.

    • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2023 - 12:41

      It's like posts on here from ppl supposedly on holidays & concert goers who film the show on their mobiles to post about it.

      It's plain odd

      • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:59
        +1

        Yeah I think so too. I was becoming resentful about it all (and I think my life is pretty great) so just deleted it and feel much better and content.

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2023 - 13:31
          +1

          I never had FB until the kiddos ….. parental groups are N E X T level

  • nick90 on 11/08/2023 - 12:19
    +17

    Only really use FB now for marketplace and interacting with a couple of groups. Sadly I don't really have much friends myself these days. I think social media has made us more distant from people, then connected imho.

  • cocomelon on 11/08/2023 - 12:22
    +1

    The only friend you have is yourself

    • Transient on 11/08/2023 - 12:45
      +5

      Me, myself and I - but that's three!

  • Drakesy on 11/08/2023 - 12:22
    +7

    Depends how old you are.

    Once people hit 30-35 they get families and shy away from social media as they concentrate on building their home.

    Yes you'll still have your core group but i feel social media is more for the teens - late 20's.

    I only use Facebook for Marketplace and keeping track of events now.

    • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:54
      +2

      Yeah agree mate. Group has become smaller but more close knit. And you’re spot on - we’re all mid thirties with kids and careers and responsibilities. Thanks for sharing!

      • Shadowsfury on 11/08/2023 - 16:42

        Around this age too - I too log in almost every day but I'm not sure why I bother as no one updates there any more (neither do I really)

        Connections for the most part have gone to other platforms (or just lost)

    • darkmoss on 12/08/2023 - 10:46
      +4

      Facebook is for boomers. Young people don't use it

      • Drakesy on 12/08/2023 - 10:50

        I can confirm the z gens in my office definitely do still use it

        • darkmoss on 12/08/2023 - 12:36

          certified geeks then

          • ThadtheChad on 12/08/2023 - 23:07

            @darkmoss: Geeks dont use Facebook mate. The geeks are on discord, reddit, twitch, telegram and signal.

            • darkmoss on 12/08/2023 - 23:18
              -7

              @ThadtheChad: We're talking about different geeks. I meant losers. Both the same regardless.

            • CalmLemons on 13/08/2023 - 01:48

              @ThadtheChad: This lol.

              Reddit seems like the last true internet community, that and ozbargain but we are ferals here :S

              • SpainKing on 13/08/2023 - 14:44
                +1

                @CalmLemons: Oh buddy they're just as feral on Reddit. I found /r/aznidentity the other day and they seem to hate everything except things/people from their specific part of Asia

                • ThadtheChad on 14/08/2023 - 12:26

                  @SpainKing: Yep, enough feral subreddits that's for sure.
                  Remember T_d?

                  PS: I forgot 4chan… (you should too lol).

  • Protractor on 11/08/2023 - 12:23
    +18

    I saw them all at K Mart, the other day. I heard them whispering something about you.

    • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:53
      +3

      “Ashok - old mate is feeling lonely these days… long way from Woolahra”

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 11/08/2023 - 12:30
    +3

    MySpace?

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/08/2023 - 12:50
      +4

      bebo

    • Lord Fart Bucket on 11/08/2023 - 13:02
      +4

      OnlyFans.

    • amygirl on 11/08/2023 - 14:29
      +8

      miRC

      • Jimothy Wongingtons on 11/08/2023 - 15:59

        I only ever used mirc once to join the coveted PALGN forum inner circle chat… was not user friendly at all I remember 😂

        • Guybrush57 on 12/08/2023 - 17:06

          PALGN

          Now that's a name I've not heard in a long time… a long time….

          You were chatting with Amy, weren't you?

    • Switchblade88 on 11/08/2023 - 17:39
      +1

      Tom says hi!

    • dcep on 11/08/2023 - 20:30
      +6

      ICQ … uh-oowh!

  • El cheepo on 11/08/2023 - 12:34
    +12

    If you only kept in touch with those people on Facebook and lost track of them once they stopped using it… were they really still your friends?

    Sounds like acquaintances.

    • whiskeyjack89 on 13/08/2023 - 13:26

      Nah its facebook official though

      • El cheepo on 13/08/2023 - 20:46

        It’s complicated.

  • coolhead on 11/08/2023 - 12:40
    +2

    why wouldn't you ask a few of them instead of strangers?

    • Protractor on 11/08/2023 - 12:46
      +1

      Instant validation required

      • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:52
        +1

        It does help with low self-esteem. That’s what my therapist says. Thanks!

        • Protractor on 11/08/2023 - 12:54
          +2

          He was at KMart…..(sorry)

  • motion2082 on 11/08/2023 - 12:41
    +2

    I did the same thing 6 months ago. Deleted FB/Instagram from my phone. Change my password so I can't sign in on Desktop.
    It's so nice not to see Self obsessed Egos posting look at me, look at me. Liberating to not compare yourself with others.
    I miss the Marketplace FB but apart from that I don't miss social media.
    I think we have all forgotten to communicate with our old friends through years of being used to checking their FB statuses.
    I feel a lot more isolated and alone (with or without social media) but maybe that's just part of being a 40 year old man who knows that desire leads to suffering and mis-wanting and choose to embrace the quiet and slow/boring life

    • dcep on 11/08/2023 - 21:49

      Change my password so I can't sign in on Desktop.

      You had someone change it for you ? or you blindfold yourself whilst typing new password ?

      choose to embrace the quiet and slow/boring life

      Dot 2 Dot (2014)

    • ssfps on 12/08/2023 - 15:37
      -1

      I think we have all forgotten to communicate with our old friends through years of being used to checking their FB statuses.

      We haven't all forgotten that, only the losers who have wasted a lot of time since 2007 doing their daily socials. I remember when normal people would scoff at the lonely old boomers writing letters to the editor for a bit of validation, now something even worse than that has been the norm for 15 years, feeding on and reinforcing these people's low self esteem.

  • inherentchoice on 11/08/2023 - 12:47

    They got married and started a family.

    • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:52

      Mate. So did I. Explains a lot. Thanks!

  • Muzeeb on 11/08/2023 - 12:48
    +8

    My real friends are currently with me at JVs weekly Friday catch-up BBQ.

      • Muzeeb on 11/08/2023 - 13:18
        +4

        This is us waving back at you in the window from jv's RMS Titanic mock-up in his back yard.

        L2R - kajke, Muzeeb, random 1, random 2, jv

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2023 - 13:23
          +2

          I told jv to use an antiperspirant when waving for photos in light coloured shirts

      • Taro Milk Tea on 11/08/2023 - 13:49

        even in OzB there is grouping??

        ps: can i join?

      • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2023 - 13:49
        +1

        I told ya …. you'll be waiting forevs for an invite. Just get there.

        Also, 'cause the place is a fortress, you'll need a secret password to gain entrance at the gate. It changes each week so I'll PM you.

        • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/08/2023 - 14:18
          +1

          Invites are automatical with platinum membership.

          • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2023 - 14:30
            +2

            @DashCam AKA Rolts: Data was accessed by Russian hackers - they wanted invites when they saw that goat was on the menu - so we've had to resort to other measures and remain vigilant for anyone turning up in camo gear.

  • pegaxs on 11/08/2023 - 12:49
    +6

    I have Facebook account with zero friends. I only use it to buy and sell motorcycles and parts on Marketplace and a few dedicated motorcycle forums for information and questions. That's it. Don't need to have friends to do those things

    • Ashok Wilmington on 11/08/2023 - 12:51

      That’s a great idea. I might set one up like this. Thanks!

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 11/08/2023 - 14:18

      Genuine pro life tip!

    • brendanm on 11/08/2023 - 14:22
      +1

      I used a fake name, but had to add a few family members, as it wouldn't let me use marketplace without 5(?) friends.

      • pegaxs on 11/08/2023 - 17:53

        Oh yeah, 100% use a fake name. Very generic first name and complementary generic last name.

      • Gnostikos on 12/08/2023 - 13:29
        +1

        I didn't even bother adding people I know, lol. Back in the day when I created my burner FB account you could spam most "influencer" accounts with friend requests and they would pretty much auto-accept.

  • Benoffie on 11/08/2023 - 13:04
    +3

    Im down to 4 'friends' on FB. I only keep it because some work things just wont get off.

    I did go to IG but hardly post.

    Life's too short to waste time faking interest in other people's lives 🤷‍♀️

  • AustriaBargain on 11/08/2023 - 13:35

    Facebook is for sharing memes and X is for following news and grown up celebrities. Most people older than me I know use Facebook for Messenger, people my page use Snapchat for messaging, and people younger than me seem to use TikTok to message each other somehow. It's hard to keep up with it all tbh.

    • Gunnar on 11/08/2023 - 13:45

      Taking a guess you'd be mid 30's?

      • AustriaBargain on 11/08/2023 - 16:29

        Sounds about right.

        • Gunnar on 12/08/2023 - 12:00

          I have a theory based on the most accurate form of research: personal, anecdotal evidence ;-)

          Social media medium of choice:
          FB = Early to mid 40s and up
          Insta/Snap = Late 20s to late thirties
          Tik Tok = teens and early 20s

          I am in my early 40's and am a giant fuddy duddy with social media. My outlook on things is that if you or people in your life genuinely care about you, they'll contact you regardless of what medium you do or do not use. I ditched my FB account for close to 10 years and it made zero impact on the people I kept in contact with.

  • onetwothreefour on 11/08/2023 - 13:55

    I only have family on it these days as they are all overseas except for wife and kids.

    I went through a cull over the past couple of years, just started deleting people who I had no interest in keeping in touch with then realised I was down to very few people left and most of those I don't contact in any way so just deleted everyone except family.

  • bobbified on 11/08/2023 - 14:02
    +5

    They've all gone back to mIRC and ICQ.

  • djsweet on 11/08/2023 - 14:08
    +2

    All my friends are on Ozb.

  • quog on 11/08/2023 - 14:16

    did you ever actually talk with voices with them?

    you know the old archaic way?

    • Protractor on 11/08/2023 - 14:55
      +3

      More sorcery

    • Gnostikos on 12/08/2023 - 13:30
      +1

      you know the old archaic way?

      Don't try to frighten us with your sorcerer's ways, Lord Vader.

  • cupcake on 11/08/2023 - 15:21

    Facebook is only for stalking.
    People don't have to post anything.

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