Social media alternatives?

[Robyn]

Regardless of how much the media shares is true, it’s clear that social media, especially Facebook, are contributing a great amount of harm in different ways. I have noticed very personal negative results of being involved on Facebook, especially recently.  My wife has had her share of unwanted experiences as well.

While the realities of a world wide global internet connection will always result in occasional unwanted experiences, I am convinced there are healthier alternatives out there that can still provide reassuring satisfying with communicating with friends and family while avoiding the political and confusing culture of ad-revenue focused social content.

So I am opening up to my long time favorite general talk group, to see what forms of social media you are engaged in that you find positive outweighing the negative?

As my family lives a more minimal lifestyle, this could eventually result in a withdrawal from certain social media pages, but also consequently removes some convenient opportunities to connect with family and friends, and even learn valid and interesting factoids.  What alternative ways have you found to learn not only about your family and friends, but also regarding general knowledge about the world and life?

[User 180565 is taking donation]

I know there are ways to deactivate accounts and still use the messenger app that may be an options, but where they are strangers there aalways going to be things you dont like to see, theres really no escaping it no matter what you do unless you move to skype or snapchat there arent many options

[wildmaven]

I use Facebook all the time. It connects me to friends who are far away and allows me to talk to others who share the same interests. I don't let social media bullies define who I am. I don't participate in data mining apps or posts.

Some of my friends who have left Facebook have gone to MeWe, which is very similar but (supposedly) without all the security issues.

[Shaliza]

If forums fall under the heading of social media, then that's all that I use.

I deleted my Facebook account years ago, because I was tired of the drama and all kinds of annoying people (relatives in particular), tracking me down 24/7. Smartest thing I ever did, and I don't regret it. 

[Derek‽]

If only there was some company out there that provided a way for people to create online communities that can be either public or private. A type of place that would allow you to send messages directly to other members of that community or post them publicly to some kind of bulletin board for all members to see. Perhaps these messages could be categorized into folders of different, broad subjects, so that people could engage with these messages only if they were of interest to the person. And maybe these communities would require all content to be posted and shared by real people, never allowing “sponsored” messages intended to push an agenda or misinform an audience. They might even have ways to moderate poor or unwanted behavior.

If only...

[User 180565 is taking donation]

Feb 14, 2019 22:18:44 GMT -8 Derek‽ said:

If only there was some company out there that provided a way for people to create online communities that can be either public or private. A type of place that would allow you to send messages directly to other members of that community or post them publicly to some kind of bulletin board for all members to see. Perhaps these messages could be categorized into folders of different, broad subjects, so that people could engage with these messages only if they were of interest to the person. And maybe these communities would require all content to be posted and shared by real people, never allowing “sponsored” messages intended to push an agenda or misinform an audience. They might even have ways to moderate poor or unwanted behavior.

If only...

You're talking about google hangouts right?

[SafeInSanity]

MeWe seems to be trying to be the next big thing and prides itself on being the anti-Facebook social network. I have been a member for the past month or so  and I can say that so far my experience with it has been a rather pleasant one.  Although I do use their Android app on my phone and tablet. The app is great! but the desktop version of their site is really busy and confusing. They claim to have no ads, no spyware, and no bs. Basically an all around better privacy and user experience for the site member. They also allow audio recording in all types of content and posts which is a nice change from Facebook.

[📚 Dianne 📚]

Feb 15, 2019 2:03:07 GMT -8 SafeInSanity said:

MeWe seems to be trying to be the next big thing and prides itself on being the anti-Facebook social network. I have been a member for the past month or so  and I can say that so far my experience with it has been a rather pleasant one.  Although I do use their Android app on my phone and tablet. The app is great! but the desktop version of their site is really busy and confusing. They claim to have no ads, no spyware, and no bs. Basically an all around better privacy and user experience for the site member. They also allow audio recording in all types of content and posts which is a nice change from Facebook. 

Isn't this how Facebook started out?


As much as I hate FB for going commercial it is one way for me to keep touch with my friends and family. I'm not interested in Tweeting or Snapchating.


 

[Robyn]

Unfortunately, I am unable to figure out how to multi quote in this thread using the v6 beta on my iPad, so I will do my best to differentiate my responses.

I have been on social media, specifically facebook, for at least 10 years if not more, have shared more personal photos, videos and statuses of my life and have taken part in more third party quizzes than I wish to remember. All of that said, until recently with my studying of cooperation, ad revenue and profit through tracking, I was unaware that there were ever any real concerns with privacy on these sites.

To be fair, any website is as secure as your password and the content you make. I would be in just as much risk on this site sharing inappropriate details of my life as i would be on facebook. However, I have been rightfully and fairly informed of ProBoards intentions with ad revenue and their mission goal, vs that of Facebook’s and i have made the personal differentiation for myself concerning the personal feeling of security based on the websites i frequent.

The major disadvantage is that it seems everyone and their dog is on facebook / other popular social media sites. This in of itself isn’t bad, in fact i really find it wonderful to see all of us utilizing technology to keep in touch in more personal, interactive and enjoyable ways. However, the discomfort i have developed comes from the knowledge of the usage of Adsense on facebook, the tracking information especially prevelant on their smartphone apps, and the frequent (though i shrug my shoulders at how much of it is true) reports of scandals from Mark Zuckerberg regarding political and financial agendas. As soon as i realized that i was the product (it’s free to join facebook and they serve ads that tailor to your needs), i realized i was not comfortable with being apart of a network that was dependable on one company.

With that said, i recognize websites like ProBoards who have fantastic more traditional focused methods of bulliten board communication and that’s one of the reasons I stick around on here, because the content is interesting, partially for nostalgic reasons and because i have an semi-private location i can express my thoughts on with a worldwide, frequently civil community to give responses to. I do not feel that i have as much of a chance to receive this experience on other social media without following enough people.

It’s interesting to see how social media is integrated into our lives, both personally and professionally. Some people’s income depend on social media to exist, and that is something i am not willing to commit to, but i applaud the efforts of.

Thank you for being apart of this community. I hope to have contributed appropriately.

[🍁🇨🇦 Tai Pan 🇨🇦🍁]

My current face book account has absolutely nothing to do with me whoever can hack me all they want and they get absolutely nothing.

[nickebus]

Feb 15, 2019 5:00:28 GMT -8 📚 Dianne 📚 said:

Feb 15, 2019 2:03:07 GMT -8 SafeInSanity said:

MeWe seems to be trying to be the next big thing and prides itself on being the anti-Facebook social network. I have been a member for the past month or so  and I can say that so far my experience with it has been a rather pleasant one.  Although I do use their Android app on my phone and tablet. The app is great! but the desktop version of their site is really busy and confusing. They claim to have no ads, no spyware, and no bs. Basically an all around better privacy and user experience for the site member. They also allow audio recording in all types of content and posts which is a nice change from Facebook. 

Isn't this how Facebook started out?


As much as I hate FB for going commercial it is one way for me to keep touch with my friends and family. I'm not interested in Tweeting or Snapchating.