Let’s jump in our time-machine. The year is 2006, and everyone I knew between the ages of 15-20 was on Facebook. Before your Aunt was tagging you in embarrassing throwback photos and before your Mom was writing on your wall things should could just text you, Facebook was all the rage. I never used Facebook to check out my favorite brands or find out the most recent news; I just wanted to stay connected with my friends.
Facebook was my bridge between AIM messenger and text messages. When I first entered high school, I didn’t text with my friends. So once I got home the best way to see what they were doing was with Facebook. Plus, I got to see what life was like throughout the city, check out on my private school friends and gaze at the sheltered suburban life some of my friends lived.
Now, Facebook reminds me of one of my drunken Uncle. I talk to him from time to time, but he can be so scattered brained. One moment he’s telling me how LeBron sucks, the next he’s rambling about a conspiracy theory that he read from a parody site, but unfortunately he doesn’t know what parody site is. Every once in a while he’ll share a decent thought with me, but that never lasts, it’s just one ridiculous thought after another, and I’m tired of it.
But, my Uncle is family. He’s watched me mature from an annoying teenager sharing every moment of my weekend, to a slightly less-annoying adult that feels the need to let everyone know how often I vote.
Seriously, is Facebook dying? As a millennial with an above average understanding of social media, SEO and everything social, I don’t know what role Facebook should play in my life. I much rather see what my favorite brand or artist is doing on Instagram or Twitter, and it feels weird to spend too much time on Facebook when I know my Dad spends more time talking to past classmates than I do.
My parents were the people who always asked me why I was spending so much time on Facebook, and now I have to ask them the same question! Maybe it’s a sign of the times or maybe I’m a social media snob, either way I’m done. But I won’t delete my page. It’s so many memories on Facebook; it’s literally the only photo album I own.
How can I grow with Facebook?
I think brands will continue to use Facebook because it’s a tornado that rages through the landscape of the worldwide web that never seems to slow down. It’s probably the most important social media platform with the least amount of relevance. I know Zuckerburg is a brilliant guy but I wonder if he can make me care again. If not, we’ll probably have to send Facebook through a 12-step program.