5 Annoying Things People Do On Facebook

The Pervasive Phenomenon of Facebook Fatigue

Are you a regular Facebook user, spending an hour or more daily on the platform? Do you maintain a large network of over 200 friends? Have you been actively using Facebook for several months? If so, it’s highly likely you’ll find yourself in agreement with the points presented here.

Upon the initial announcement of Google+, a successful launch seemed almost guaranteed. This wasn't solely due to Google’s extensive integration within the internet landscape, but rather because of a growing sense of Facebook fatigue. A desire for change can be invigorating, and new platforms often attract users seeking a fresh online experience.

Understanding Facebook Fatigue

The shift from MySpace to Facebook serves as a prime illustration of this dynamic. But what specifically contributes to this feeling of exhaustion with Facebook? While susceptibility varies based on individual personality, experiencing any of the following five behaviors is likely to induce a need for a 'Dislike' option.

Previously, we addressed undesirable Facebook posts with the article, "5 Things You Need To Stop Posting On Facebook." This article expands on that discussion, highlighting five additional common frustrations.

Five More Facebook Annoyances

• Constant Self-Promotion: An endless stream of personal achievements and advertisements can quickly become tiresome for friends.
• Overly Dramatic Updates: Sharing every minor inconvenience or emotional state can create a negative atmosphere.
• Political Overload: While civic engagement is important, relentless political posts can alienate those with differing views.
• Vaguebooking: Cryptic status updates designed to elicit concern or attention are often perceived as manipulative.
• Chain Letters & Games: These requests clutter newsfeeds and offer little genuine value to users.

These behaviors, while perhaps unintentional, contribute to a sense of overwhelm and can diminish the enjoyment of the Facebook experience. Recognizing these patterns is the first step towards fostering a more positive and engaging online environment.

Ultimately, mindful usage and consideration for your audience can help mitigate Facebook fatigue and ensure the platform remains a valuable tool for connection and communication.

Subtle Social Media Signaling

Individuals over 30 may not encounter this particular social media behavior as frequently. It represents a common tactic employed by adolescents experiencing dissatisfaction. Furthermore, it's often utilized by those seeking a non-confrontational, yet pointed, method of expressing anger towards a former partner.

Ultimately, such actions often project an image of vulnerability, instability, or emotional immaturity. The practice to which I refer is readily recognizable:

• "The level of animosity I feel is immense; daily interaction with him is unbearable."
• "It's concerning how infrequently my closest companion is available when I need support…"
• "The act of abruptly terminating a phone call mid-conversation is perplexing."

These statements function as overt appeals for attention. They are specifically targeted towards a single individual or a limited circle of acquaintances. Such posts are generally perceived as peculiar and irritating. Direct communication would be more appropriate, despite still being potentially immature. A private message is preferable to public self-abasement before peers. Cease this behavior.

I hold a different perspective regarding uplifting or positive messages. Occasional expressions of this nature are acceptable, but limiting them to three per week is advisable.

Echoes of MySpace and the Rise of Facebook "Games"

It feels necessary to acknowledge that the overall experience within the Facebook community was arguably strongest during MySpace's prominence. MySpace was characterized by flashy visuals, customizable profile songs, popular games like Mafia Wars, and a prevalence of comment spam. It largely attracted a younger demographic, particularly high school students.

Conversely, Facebook initially catered to college students and those beyond, offering a more streamlined and purposeful social networking environment.

The Shift in Facebook's Landscape

However, this distinction has blurred considerably. Facebook has, regrettably, adopted several behaviors reminiscent of its predecessor, introducing elements that detract from its original appeal.

• The "TBH" Phenomenon – The phrase "LMS TBH" (Like my status, to be honest) signifies a social trend where users who engage with a status receive a candid assessment of themselves posted on their profile.
• "Inbox Me Numbers" Trend – This represents a more private and arguably absurd variation of TBH. Participants exchange random numbers via direct message.
• Persistent Chain Messages – Examples include alarming hoaxes like "Repost this or children will suffer," or deceptive claims about Facebook's impending shutdown unless users remit a fee.
• Tagging-Based Word Games – These involve tagging friends with assigned roles in fictional scenarios, such as casting them in a low-budget science fiction film.

These examples represent only a fraction of the problematic trends observed. Describing even these four is frustrating.

Social media platforms are constantly evolving, and it's important to be aware of these changes and their potential impact on user experience.

Problematic Applications: Wall and Tag Spam

Many users are familiar with this frustrating experience. Applications like FarmVille, Sims Social, and various horoscope apps frequently engage in unwanted behavior.

The notorious "Report Card" app, which excessively tags numerous friends, exemplifies this issue, as do birthday calendar applications that aggressively populate your Facebook Wall.

The Annoyance of Excessive Notifications

This practice is simply irritating. Often, these applications extend their spamming to your friends’ Walls as well.

The impact on both your own profile and those of your connections is significant, demanding consideration for the user experience. Such activity is readily visible on the News Feed, creating a disruptive flow of information.

The Motivation Behind the Spam

Consider an application offering horoscope readings delivered through private messages. While desirable, it’s unlikely to materialize.

These apps depend on viral spread for their success and require visibility through user activity to generate revenue. They prioritize exposure over user privacy and convenience.

Virability is key to their monetization strategy, making unsolicited Wall posts and tagging a common tactic.

The Impact of Negativity

It can sometimes feel as though social media platforms, like Facebook, are dominated by negativity. A shift in perspective is often beneficial. Utilizing Facebook solely as an outlet for frustration and sadness isn't maximizing its potential.

While I haven't personally engaged in this practice, it's difficult to envision it as a truly effective therapeutic approach. Seeking guidance from a qualified professional is advisable if this becomes a recurring pattern.

Consideration for Others

Ultimately, the issue often circles back to being mindful of those around us. A constant stream of disheartening updates is readily apparent to others.

No one wants to be negatively impacted by a series of depressing posts throughout the day. Should this occur, unfollowing or removing the source may become necessary, potentially leading to further distress for the individual.

Maintaining a positive online presence benefits both yourself and your connections.

Leveraging Facebook in a Twitter-Like Fashion

Perhaps you're acquainted with someone who frequently updates their Facebook News Feed, often multiple times per hour? It might be beneficial to suggest they explore Twitter as an alternative platform.

Facebook isn't ideally suited for detailing every minor activity throughout the day, such as waking up, commuting, watching television, consuming meals, experiencing illness, or going to bed – all in distinct, separate posts.