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Remember last month when it looked like Facebook was on a downslide and Mark Zuckerberg was explaining the internet to a bunch of octagenarians running the country? Yeah, neither does anyone else.
Recent stats show the social network is as popular as ever. The company is considering moving into the cryptocurrency game and launching its own dating website.
While it might be virtually impossible for future generations to avoid signing up the website is also incredibly hard to quit. According to numerous studies, deleting or going inactive on Facebook is also futile for a few different reasons.
As this Inc.com article explains, the justifications for keeping a Facebook profile – even if you want to quit – are tied to the basic human need to stay connected with people, the fear of missing out and because stopping anything addictive is always a struggle.
First, Facebook makes it incredibly hard to quit both mentally and physically. A former founder of Apple was able to quit cold turkey, but that doesn’t make it simple for ordinary folk like you or me. Facebook doesn’t tinker with dark patterns like other websites, but they do drop more guilt on your head than mom and dad combined.
“Not only do you have to find the deactivation link in your settings,” explains Inc contributor Christina DesMarais, “you have to enter your password which calls up the photos of some of your closest friends. As I hover my pointer over the deactivate button I see their faces and the words that Julie, John, and Kari–real friends of mine–will miss me. And Facebook tells me my 422 friends will no longer be able to keep in touch with me.
The second reason people find it challenging to deactivate Facebook is connected to people’s need to hate-read. Sad but true. A study conducted by The Open University concluded that users check their news feeds on the regular to hate on the lives of other people.
“We surveyed and selectively interviewed a network of over 100 Facebook users. Our findings show how we continue to use the site and remain connected to people through it even though they often annoy or offend us. But instead of challenging them or severing ties, we continue to use Facebook to silently watch them – and perhaps even take pleasure from judging them.”
Perhaps the most substantial reason people stay connected to Facebook, data breach be damned, is fear of missing out on essential life updates from family and friends, pointless debates about Marvel movies and the ability to quickly chime in when people are looking for plumber suggestions in your town. FOMO.
FOMO and Facebook are a lethal combo, as dangerous and addictive as drugs, according to this study from Nottingham Trent University. Users get hooked on the rush of Facebook and “show symptoms similar to what happens with substance-related compulsions” including mood problems, withdrawal, and relapse.
If you want to kick the Facebook habit, it will take time, patience and sheer willpower. Here’s a helpful guide to quitting for good. Send me a DM on Facebook and let me know how it goes.
Oh. Right.
[via Inc.]
Chris Illuminati is a 5-time published author and recovering a**hole who writes about career advice, gear and occasionally pro wrestling. Follow him on Twitter.