Don't Delete Facebook—Follow The Smart Way!
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Should you really delete Facebook this time? Maybe.
If you’re overly concerned about Facebook’s data-collection practices (or how the data you thought you entrusted to Facebook suddenly ends up in the hands of entities you’ve never heard of), you’ll probably feel a lot better if you start distancing yourself from the social network. It’s healthier, too. Let’s recap the three major techniques you can try:
- Just stop using the social network
If you have the willpower, remove the Facebook bookmark from your web browser. Retrain your hand to stop typing in “www.fa...” every time you open a new tab. Go learn a hobby. Take up an MMO. Start a celebrity Instagram account for your plant—er, maybe not that.
Facebook has burned its users plenty of times with its data collection policies, but we all keep chugging on. Facebook isn’t going anywhere, but you can certainly work to lessen your day-to-day involvement with the service (and, as a result, the data you’re feeding the Facebook Monster).
- Deactivate your Facebook account
I really, really hate Facebook’s “these random friends of yours we pulled from your feed are totallllly going to be sad if you leave no really” begging. Come on, already.
If you can’t compel yourself to stop visiting Facebook, the company can help. Facebook will still have your data, of course, but you’ll get a chance to take a breather and (hopefully) depend less on the digital platform when you’re ready to jump back in.
Deactivating your account leaves some of your information up on Facebook—like conversations you’ve had with your friends—but it will make it impossible for others to find your profile and you will no longer be tagged in most pieces of content.
