After a lifetime against, I'm considering joining social media. Any advice?

I’ve never had a Facebook account or any other social media. I know they keep shadow profiles, but I’ve never given permission. I never had any interest and frankly still don’t.

The problem I’m having is that I don’t exist online when people try to look me up. When someone tries to check me out, there’s nothing there and apparently that’s considered abnormal these days. I think it’s starting to affect my life negatively for various reasons I’d rather not get into.

I’d just like some advice about where to start if you wanted to dip your toes in and check it out. LinkedIn, maybe?

DudeImMacGyver,
@DudeImMacGyver@sh.itjust.works avatar

You’re on social media right now, but personally, I don’t care if there’s nothing when people look me up: Seems like a bonus, I barely get spam calls anymore.

firkin_slang_whanger,

Get LinkedIn. I understand where you’re coming from. I don’t have any other social media either and I’ve gotten weird looks. Especially when it came from dating in the past with people trying to make sure you’re you, but having LinkedIn helped significantly. Also shows the maturity of having a social media account that can possibly help you in the long-run.

ani,

LinkedIn, and Instagram. You don’t need anything else.

funkless_eck,

what kind of roles are you applying for and at what level (entry, factotum, assistant, specialist, manager, director…?)

that will help what kind of presence you can have

BluesF,

Don’t join LinkedIn unless you need to look for a corporate job. Be a trailblazer and join Mastodon or something if you need an online presence… Frankly I don’t have a single social media account that I appreciate having. It’s occasionally useful to find people on Facebook, but there’s nothing really it gives me that getting someone’s phone number doesn’t.

intensely_human,

Which branch?

intensely_human,

I think Facebook, with its (ostensible) emphasis on real-world connections, is a good place to start.

It was the first social media platform I ever used.

Social media is bad for your mental health. So as you add social media to your life, also add self cate routines like copious exercise, meditation, real-world social contact, etc.

infinitepcg,

The problem I’m having is that I don’t exist online when people try to look me up.

Is this referring to job applications or interpersonal relationships or both?

iamjackflack,

Don’t. Stick to your guns. You will be better off

victorz,

LinkedIn is pretty good, for finding work. I’ve gotten a lot of offers there. Ultimately never took any of them, ironically, but worth the time to set up a good profile.

If you’re thinking of joining Facebook… Don’t. It’s not worth it. Tell people you have something else and give them that info. Like your phone number or your email or your WhatsApp/telegram/whatever.

I hate how I have Facebook and am so dependent on it. I wish I could tell people I don’t have it.

init,

I’m seconding the “no Facebook” thing, and I’d add “no Meta-Owned anything”. Facebook is constantly showing me conspiracy flat earth shit with people honest to god arguing about it, and everyone in other posts strangely all comment the same thing or early similar things to the point that I’ve checked peoples accounts out to see if they are bots or not. Instagram isn’t much better, and a LOT of it is basically soft-core attention seeking influencers. Threads… Isn’t giving anything better than what Mastodon offers.

I swear. One of these days I will pull the plug.

victorz,

[Palpatine: Do it.]

I haven’t scrolled Facebook in over a decade I think. But nobody interesting posts on Facebook in my feed so I’m not too bothered. Instagram is good to me. Giving me only like comics and skits and stuff from people I follow, and things similar to what I enjoyed before like certain sports etc. I’d gladly jump Facebook if I could find my friends elsewhere. I wish Messenger wasn’t connected to a Facebook account. 😞

Seasoned_Greetings, (edited )

I know you’ve probably heard this about a dozen times by now, but…

Don’t join Facebook.

They track everything they can about you, down to how long you spend looking at something on your screen. I’m fairly certain they listen to what’s going on around you if you put the app on your phone. An ad for something I’ve mentioned in passing has popped up on my feed shortly later too many times to be a coincidence.

They follow you around on your browser, too. They know what you shop for. It’s all specially tailored to sell you their ads.

I keep an account to stay in touch with my family, and it’s appalling how much more information they get from you than any other app. Not to mention the heavy prevalence of MAGA hats and I’ll-kill-you-before-I-consider-your-opinion conservatives.

Instagram isn’t much better, but at least the people there are nicer.

pHr34kY, (edited )

The spying is horrendous. Even after taking so many measures, I still swear I’m eavesdropped occasionally. Ad blockers, private DNS, Firefox containers, GrapheneOS on my phone (I only install messenger, not the Facebook app). I don’t use Facebook on Windows.

I wouldn’t be surprised if other people’s devices are collecting info about me. I have no control over that.

Unfortunately it’s at a point that I won’t get invited to parties without it. It’s how my friends all organise events.

sbv,

It sounds like Facebook tracks non-registered users as well, so everything you’re saying remains true for everyone who doesn’t have a pretty strong security posture.

If OP isn’t blocking third party cookies, FB scripts, and piholing unwanted requests, they might as well join the platform and get the tenuous benefits it provides.

stackPeek,
@stackPeek@lemmy.world avatar

It’s better if you filter out and moderate the usage. Just because social media it’s bad doesn’t mean there’s no good part.

OceanSoap, (edited )

My guess is it’s because potential matches ask.

As a woman, I don’t find it weird, but I do find it unfortunate. It’s an easy, quick way to get a better understanding on if you’re who you say you are. Sure, it can be faked, but… that’s more rare, and mostly easily sussed out.

I like seeing Instagram personally. Not to follow, just as a good check. But if you don’t want insta, I’d suggest pixelfed. It’s not a part of meta and it functions as an instagram.

vernknitsthings,
@vernknitsthings@midwest.social avatar

I keep my Linkedin updated, but Linkedin is BS. I hate it. Facebook I only keep for shitposting and because it’s the way my husband’s family keeps in touch (my husband deleted his FB years ago). Facebook is not great. Would not recommend. Honestly, most social media websites are shit and I could not recommend. Lemmy is kind of social media, and this is okay. I liked reddit too, back when I used it.

olafurp,

My advice is to cancel joining.

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