Many editors have a presence on Facebook. I myself was on that platform for almost nine years, from 2008 to 2017. In October 2017, I deleted my profile and exited Facebook for good. Some may think I am crazy or stupid for doing so, for it can be a good source of marketing for an editor’s business. But at what a price:
- Memes. Many memes are offensive, cruel, judgmental, or just plain stupid.
- Politics. Political ideas are thrown around with no respect for the ideas of others.
- Name-calling. Need I say more?
I have had people whom I do not know from Adam yell at me, accuse me, and insult me simply because I had an opinion. (One person accused me of “hating liberty and freedom” just because I voiced my support for #BlackLivesMatter.)
I have lost friendships–real friendships–from Facebook posts, and I have a close friend whose nuclear family has been all but destroyed by the platform.
Since getting off of Facebook, I have actually been calmer and happier and feel much better about myself.
So why am I not on Facebook? The obvious answer is: Because I cherish my mental health.