Third Age Warrior: Your social media friends

I know many would disagree, but your true friends do not live in Facebook. My daughter’s dog has more friends than I do in Facebook.  I do agree it is an ideal place for discussion and meeting up with like-minded people. However, unless you actually meet them, they are not real. My first experience on Facebook was when my daughter put up a post that she found her first grey hair – I answered that she had nothing to worry about as recently I found my first grey pube.  Too much information Mum was the outcry. I didn’t realise that her Facebook friends would see what I had written. Just as now all Starts at Sixty readers know about the state of my pubic hair. It is definitely public information now.

People read something, get their knickers in a knot, and abusive, foul language spews forth. Would they do the same face to face?  I doubt it very much.

Us writers are a very sensitive bunch. We may write something that not everyone agrees with.  Most of us just let the comments go over our head, but occasionally a writer takes it to heart and considers it a personal slur on their character.  This is fair enough considering some comments I’ve read.  It is when negative comments are taken to heart on a regular basis that the writer should assess their attitude and maybe not take everything so personally.

Then there are the groups.  One person may not be in a group so thinks that group is talking about him/her. So he/she sets up their own group to counteract any assumed damage being done to their character. Strange I know, but it does happen. This is childish to the extreme to think that a person can be so influenced by the ‘fake’ friends in a place with ‘fake’ news and egos that have become out of control.  

There are so many groups you can join. I would like to suggest that if you are extremely keen to post photos daily of your child/grandchild or dog that you join one of the groups that cater for your obsession. I’ve joined a dog group, so I don’t need to subject everyone to never ending photos of my two dogs. I feel I must give a warning about posting photos of children. There are some lowlifes out there who will use your photos and details to their own means. Never ever tag a photo with the child’s name.

 Social media has both enlightened our lives and for some made it unbearable. One only needs to read about suicidal teens who feel they are worthless because they don’t have many online friends. When you lose your ‘real’ friends because you are too busy with your online friends you have lost the plot in my opinion.

Obviously, social media is a great tool for keeping in contact with family and friends. If you don’t particularly like a member of your family or a friend, scroll past their comments. I’ve learnt the hard way not to unfriend them, though. They will never forgive you.

I realise social media is a godsend for those who are isolated but for those of us who are able to get out and about I suggest ring a friend, go for coffee or a walk. Never ever give up your real friends for your social media ones. One day I hope to meet the friends I’ve met on Facebook, then they will be true friends.

Do you agree with what Jeanette says about your online friends? What are your feelings about social media friends?

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