If you find yourself using Facebook more than you’d like, this article is for you. Right here, you’ll learn how to use Facebook less – we’re listing 10 ways to go about it.
For billions of people worldwide, Facebook has been essential for forming and maintaining important relationships. Facebook use, in and of itself, is not a bad thing at all.
In fact, moderate Facebook use can actually have benefits for users, including increased self-esteem. For certain disadvantaged persons, its use can even lead to better health outcomes.
There’s no doubt that staying connected to each other is important – and that Facebook has proved itself to be a platform where can build communities and help one another.
Facebook has its drawbacks, though. What are they?
- It can lead you to compare your life to others’.
- It encourages holding on to unwanted/unnecessary relationships.
- It encourages confirmation bias. (The echo chamber everyone talks about.)
- It is addictive by design and discourages being present for in-person relationships and activities.
- When used in excess, it models unhealthy screen-time habits for children.
It’s good to know that Facebook is not all bad, while also being aware that it is designed to draw you in and keep you there.
10 tips to help you lessen your Facebook use
Whether you are a parent that finds yourself glancing at your phone more than you’d like or you’re in the habit of doomscrolling as a method of procrastination, this article has some helpful tips for you.
Let’s check them out.
1. Quit the Facebook games
Facebook games have come a long way since Farmville. They are designed to keep you playing for as long as possible so that you see as many ads as possible.
And if you decide to log out, well, they have that covered, too. Many of the games will actually prompt you via Facebook notification, or even email, to check back in on your progress.
2. Resist liking and commenting on posts
When you react to a post in your feed, Facebook logs that action and shows you more of that type of content.
The posts that elicit reactions from us are often controversial or emotion-evoking. (The ones that suck us into the comments section for hours.)
Stop giving Facebook tips on the type of content that gets your attention and you’ll notice your feed gets a lot more boring and that’s it’s easier to put your phone down.
Also, commenting on posts causes you to get notifications on top of it all, which prompts you to dive right back into the comments section.
Resisting the urge to react to posts and comment is one of the most effective ways to cut down on your Facebook usage.
3. Leave unneccesary facebook groups
How old is your youngest child? 4? So, why are you still in 13 different pregnancy and due date groups?
How many BST groups (you all know those groups are more bickering than buying) are you in and have you ever bought, sold, or traded anything in any of them?
Go through your list of groups and leave the ones that aren’t helpful to you and/or the ones you aren’t providing help in.
4. Unfollow pages
Content on Facebook pages works very similarly to group and friend’s list content.
React and comment on a page’s posts and you’ll see more of that and similar pages show up in your feed.
Simply unfollowing pages that have the type of content that sucks you in is the easiest thing to do here.
5. Declutter your friends list
How many friends are on your friend’s list and with how many of them do you communicate?
Do you find yourself getting drawn into drama or political conversations of long-lost friends and distant family members?
It really is ok to unfriend or unfollow people if those online relationships are damaging your mental health and beckoning you to stay online when you don’t want to be.
6. Text & call, don’t message
Facebook messenger is a great way to reach out to people who you don’t talk to regularly. If you are trying to cut back on Facebook, though, it can be helpful to use some old-school communication methods, like texting and talking on the phone.
When you text or use your phone, there’s no profile image link to lead you into Facebook.
7. Set rules for yourself
Many of you wouldn’t be reading this article if this tip were easy to implement. If you can do it, set some rules around your Facebook usage.
For example, only use Facebook before the kids get up in the morning or limit yourself to checking and responding to your notifications only twice a day.
8. Use an actual alarm clock
How often is it, that the alarm on your phone goes off in the morning and you snooze it so you can scroll through Facebook?
Sure, it’s only 10 or so minutes of scrolling, but you’ve started your day with Facebook. That’s not a good start if you are trying to cut back.
Try a regular alarm clock or even an alarm on an old phone that isn’t connected to WiFi.
9. Delete the Facebook app
Removing the Facebook app from your phone makes logging onto Facebook ever-so-slightly more challenging.
Not seeing the big “F” logo when you look through your apps can help to keep Facebook off your mind, too.
10. Go on a tech fast
If you want to reduce your social media usage so that you can experience life how it is a bit more, sometimes it’s helpful to put the horse before the cart, so to speak.
Plan a few days of outdoor activities, like hiking, swimming, or visiting playgrounds. Leave your phone in your bag and be present with your family and friends.
Do this until being present is your habit and Facebook is an afterthought- or maybe even not a thought at all.
We hope you’ve found some helpful advice here and that you will achieve a healthy Facebook-life balance.