Ah, Facebook. I don’t really like you anymore and yet I just can’t seem to cut the cord completely. Facebook has changed and I have changed. Not only has it become less fun, but the evil side is more visible. I’m not the same person I was when I made a Facebook account in 2009.

Below are a few photos from the Facebook archives, when I was young and much more naive about the world.

Because of this, while I still look at my friend’s posts, I mostly share ‘Facebook Memories’. I miss the ‘good ole days’ of my life, but things change and looking back often makes me feel sad. I need to move forward and live in the present. I’ve taken the app off my phone quite a few times this year, unfollowed most groups and a few people that I don’t really know, and don’t post nearly as much or the same personal stuff that I used to post.

I have also been very disturbed by unexpectedly seeing pornographic images shared by spammers on other people’s profiles. I’ve reported spammers that are obviously sex-related accounts. It’s frustratingly difficult to get those posts removed though it’s so easy for Facebook to censor other information. Facebook has some very bad stuff on it, especially in groups.

To me, the seedy underbelly of all social media platforms is being exposed. They are very powerful social engineering machines, fake news engines, and porn and hookup sites. And I mean actual porn videos and LIVE streams on Facebook that you can stumble upon accidentally. I would not advise letting children use any internet-connected apps unattended. Millions of children are exposed to sexual images on the internet through seemingly harmless apps like Tik Tok and Instagram and they become addicted to porn at a very young age. It can destroy their mental health. Not to mention the other effects it has on society.

I am scrolling Facebook less and less and eventually I will stop. I much prefer reading blogs and watching YouTube if I am not reading a book or doing real life. I mainly go there to check for friends’ and family updates. I do enjoy seeing the photos, happy posts and inspiring messages.

What about you? Are you still using Facebook and has your usage changed? What do you do when you just want to chill for a little while? Have you been the victim of spam posts? Do you see the dangers of social media as far as human trafficking, propaganda, mental health, false images of reality, fake news?