Social Media Controls To Support Yourself

[Candleflames]

I used to be on Facebook. I deleted it because some aspects were just too stressful and some things would kick my symptoms into high gear. So I decided I needed to just walk away and be done with it. The thing is I miss some aspects. So I am thinking of going back.

Mostly I miss being in the loop of the bands I really like. I also miss keeping in closer contact with my sis and some of my more distant friends. On a side note I'm very away that that seems backwards.

I also know that many people use the site to their satisfaction. I've met someone who used the listing features so only certain people had access to different levels of info. Not sure how he did that but I am curious.

For those that do use social media what controls do you have in place? Either on the website or within your life to keep stressers and triggers at bay?

Any other words of advice would be most welcome!

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 20280]

Facebook have an *unfollow* option, I use this when I don't want to keep seeing depressive posts, I am careful who I allow to see my content and that is covered as well in the *who can see my content*. I know that for so many people staying away from facebook is important but for me it is not an option.

Laurie

 

[wyrd_dragon]

There's an extension I use on my browser (chrome) called 'Nanny For Google Chrome'. It allows me to set time limits per number of hours/day etc and doesn't let me access the site after my time is up. I can turn it off if there's something super important I want to stay in touch with, but it mean I need to think and make a decision about it, rather than stay hooked in to debates etc. I find it really useful.

 

[WildMermaid]

I'm not a Facebook fan but have to use it some. It is nice to support friends and family members, and share articles, but I've never been good at being there and being on all of the time. I ind it overwhelming and hate the social experiments FB has done to subscribers. I do belong to some groups for Ehlers Danlos, PTSD, etc. and those are quite helpful for sharing information, support, and resources. I think before jumping back into FB maybe write a list of "Pros" and Cons" then whichever is longer wins.

 

[jaccat]

I don't like Facebook but use it as it's the only way some of my friends stay in contact. I have a 'one slip and you're out' policy. The minute I see a friend post or like something I find offensive I 'unfriend' them. I don't use it, as many people I know do, to gather as many 'friends' as possible. Most of these people you wouldn't even talk to in the street.

I have the same policy with adverts that pop up there. If I don't like them I click on the edit button in the corner and send a message to Facebook telling them I don't and that stops them coming up. I no longer get 'miracle diet' adverts for this reason.

Saying that I have found a few groups on Facebook, where I can share an interest with likeminded people, who are 100% positive and supportive. It surprises me still that such groups can exist on such a platform.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

You guys seem lucky! I had the feed issues and such, but it wasn't a matter of just unsubscribing from people who post things I don't like. I had drama literally seeking me out, as in other people would pull me into their drama even though it had nothing to do with me. I unfriended these people, but it kept on happening over and over again with new people. What tipped the scales for me was that my mom was getting sucked into Facebook drama....and she doesn't even have a Facebook account. At that point I realized that its a social media platform for drama queens, and its not something that I am personally doing wrong.

There are tons of things you can do....unsubscribe to certain friends so you don't see their posts, only post things to certain groups of people, etc. Security breaches pop up every so often, so these are not hard and fast sort of settings, rather things that may go out of whack at times, so I wouldn't use them to post something that would potentially upset someone you thought it was hidden from.