https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 06:18:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months/page/2#post-2690746 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 09:18:21 +0000 JenGirl 2690746@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My facebook has definitely gone through a noticeable change both in how I use it and in my feed. </p> <p>I am liberal and have a fairly liberal dense friend list, so there hasn't been a ton of fighting. I've only unfollowed one person who was a childhood friend I haven't seen in years and posted tons of very bigoted stuff and just wasn't worth engaging. There have also been several posts from conservative family members where I've offered a dissenting view, but we've been able to keep it civil. Among my liberal friends, people have just ramped things up a bit. So the ones who posted political stuff pre-election are now in overdrive, those that occasionally posted political pre-election now post regularly and those that never posted political are now occasionally posting about political stuff. </p> <p>On my side of things, I never used to post anything political, but now I've started. And I plan to post more. Not a ton (I've never posted much), but I'm making a conscious effort to make it known where I stand on issues. I try to present this through experiences rather than just spamming articles. Like I posted about taking my son to his first political rally. And I'll post about going to our local Islamic Community Center tomorrow. I don't particularly like politics but I'm just not comfortable being silent right now. Somebody posted something like "Ever wonder what you would have done if you were in Germany in 1933? Well, whatever you're doing right now, is what you would have done". And while I'm not saying Trump is Hitler, the sentiment really shocked me and since reading that I haven't been able to ignore all the political stuff. I don't like politics, but I feel like I have to fight. </p> <p>I've also joined several social justice groups and one political action group since the election. The social justice groups have been incredibly informative and helped to show me so much that I wasn't aware of in this country. The political action group has been a really good motivator to get me active through calling my representatives and community action. I know I respond well to peer pressure, so seeing other people fighting for good causes prods me into action, which is good for me. Exhausting, but good for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months/page/2#post-2690705 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 08:10:46 +0000 periwinklebee 2690705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: That's really awesome! I am glad you have great friends who are ok with the differences in political opinion and don't have to pretend anymore. </p> <p>@petitenoisette: I totally understand, just wanted to share more perspective! </p> <p>@Anagram: I'm sorry, that sounds tough. I have some relatives that are pretty racist (and super conservative), though I've always known it. Like imagine the aunt at Christmas dinner loudly proclaiming "well the Indians [meaning Native Americans] are all lazy and unemployed, but nobody is racist against them." Uh, literally. My husband isn't white, I give them a pass as long as they're polite to him, as they're mostly just ignorant. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months/page/2#post-2690698 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 07:31:58 +0000 petitenoisette 2690698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I should not have used the word bad person. You elucidated it much much better than me! </p> <p>@2littlepumpkins: My post was kind of harsh and I totally see both sides. This is a tough time and it's hard to figure out how to navigate it! I really am just referring to people complaining on Facebook itself to stop posting about politics. I think we need to strike a balance between being aware and actually doing something about what is going on and then also living our lives. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690681 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:46:28 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2690681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: your last post highlights the worst of all this. Well one of the worst things. It's the ignorant (not saying that to be offensive, I mean it as lack of knowledge and exposure) people who generally think the rich republican leaders are going to make them rich too. It's quite sad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690680 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:44:13 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2690680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: I've seen your posts on other threads. So difficult, and yes, harder to know in the current time, but better overall. Sending you extra support because I have no clue what I would do in your situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690679 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:43:08 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2690679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690678 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:42:50 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2690678@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I've been learning a lot on social media since the election. I am following some really interesting people and staying a lot more informed. I was always sort of out of the loop aside from the basics of current events, and now I am getting inspired by following my senators and congresswomen, and other activists. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690676 Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:25:59 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2690676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: I think a lot of it has to do with your friend group. My friends are mostly conservative. Long story but we moved to a rural area after graduating. For years I tried to accommodate conservative values, and every time I felt I was betraying my own. For example, my PT started telling me this week all the problems she perceives with feminists. The assumption in a rural area is that people all agree, they just don't talk about it. So I have started posting in order to force my conservative friends to accept me for who I am. Honestly it has improved my relationships to get political. I feel more accepted by my conservative friends because my online habits have not affected our relationship IRL, and I have actually been contacted by liberals who wanted someone to talk to in our largely conservative town. I even participated in a MLK March thanks to people I knew who saw I was interested in resistance. I got invited to Pantsuit Nation. For me, it has been a form of self expression. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690673 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:51:24 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2690673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: I am one of those people. I figure everyone who wants to be aware is already aware of what is happening. I don't really think any speaking out I do on there is going to change anyone's mind who disagrees with me. I don't know if it's right but I just don't go there on social media. I "like" things but I don't really post about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690670 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 23:46:27 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2690670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: I try to stay informed but the place for that for me is not on social media. It seems to me that most people don't want to discuss or change anyone's mind or learn anything... they just want to preach to the choir and it gets old.. I've had to unfollow people whose views on a lot of issues I *agree* with. I was just tired of hearing them rant. I miss food overshare. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690649 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 22:33:58 +0000 Anagram 2690649@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Eh. Facebook has shown a light on some of my family member's views, and what I have seen is not good. While I have been very down about all I have learned about people I grew up with and share bloodlines with, I guess in some ways it's good that now I know this about them.</p> <p>Without FB, I wouldn't know their views on immigrants, and women who march in marches, and on Islam I guess.....so maybe we would be able to sit down and have a somewhat fun Christmas or something. And now I know, I'm sickened, and we can't have fun family Christmases.</p> <p>It's too early for me to know if knowing is a good thing or bad thing, I guess. I suspect in the long run, it will be a good thing. But right now it's very depressing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690632 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 21:55:05 +0000 periwinklebee 2690632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: Some people are bad people, others aren't but there's not much to be done to influence their views and it just feels sad and kind of hopeless. For example, a long-time good friend of my parents recently friended me. She's always been a very kind, generous person who wouldn't hesitate to help you out if she could, but her posts are just, like wow, really, wow. I can't have them in my feed. And I come from an extremely conservative small town in probably the most conservative state in the U.S., so it takes a lot to make me say wow. </p> <p>At the same time, I'm not sure if this woman has a high school diploma, and I wouldn't be surprised if she had never traveled more than a couple hundred miles from our town. In high school I needed a job, and she got her daughter to get me a job at a fast food restaurant where she worked. Her daughter worked the day shift as an assistant manager in fast food for $7 an hour, worked the nigh shift at a convenience store for minimum (where she at one point got robbed at gun point), while trying to support three kids. She always seemed super despondent, I see why people get angry. And want a simple scapegoat. </p> <p>Growing up I was taught that the earth was 6,000 years old, God created man to rule over women, Noah took the dinosaurs on the ark 4,000 years ago, etc, and there was absolutely zero tolerance for dissent. You believe it or you're going to hell, period. That attitude comes through even more strongly in people's political views. </p> <p>What upsets me most is to see people who are wealthy and well-educated spreading knowingly false information and hatred, because they in some way benefit from it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690613 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:59:28 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2690613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@maddyz: I hid the Nytimes for that exact reason! Would rather read it when I am mentally ready. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690612 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:58:13 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2690612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@jh524:I think it is important to represent my values in all aspects of my life. My politics are a part of me. Just like faith is a part of other people's lives. If I post only baby pictures, I feel I am representing a false impression of what I value. That being said, I try to be respectful aandI never criticize groups...only policies or individuals in power. I think there's place for respectful measured discussion on FB. As well as anywhere else. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690591 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:23:57 +0000 808love 2690591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>FB is like watching tv or going to a buffet. You get it all, good and bad. I prefer ordering specifically what I like from the menu without all the extra. I was one of the early adopters of FB, pretty much right after it went public (out of college lockdown) and here I am jumping away from FB to find what I came there for- an occasional light and fun social connection. FB can definitely become a substitute and time replacement to digging in to what really matters. I have relationships and a volunteer hand in real policy work that lives off social media and furthers my interests. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690585 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 20:02:18 +0000 petitenoisette 2690585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@periwinklebee: totally agree on a respectful tone and I do stress myself badly reading comments on public facebook posts so I know how you feel. For people I know personally, I just unfollow or unfriend if they post something beyond the pale. There is a difference between having a policy disagreement and being a bad person. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690577 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:28:45 +0000 maddyz 2690577@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was just talking to a friend about how with my first (will be two the end of the month) Facebook was like reading us weekly but with friends instead of celebrities add a great late night distraction while nursing. This time I can't look at it without getting sad.</p> <p>Also my feed is super liberal like myself, but still so upsetting.</p> <p>I also find it hard to sort through what's real and what's not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690576 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:25:54 +0000 periwinklebee 2690576@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: I may have to check out Instagram, I'm like worse than most people's grandmas when it comes to social media and never got much past facebook. </p> <p>I agree that it's important to stay informed and engaged and to hear others' perspectives on politics. I wish the discussion that tends to happen on social media could take a more respectful tone, but obviously that's just not the nature of things lately. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690571 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 19:01:12 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2690571@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: that's totally how I feel. Like... you can't just pretend things are normal. They so aren't! Not like you have to be somber all day long but the juxtaposition at times on the feed is s little off-putting. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690559 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:53:26 +0000 Maysprout 2690559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Def become more political. But I think people should talk about politics with one another. It's important. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690555 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:39:43 +0000 jh524 2690555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: Or maybe they don't want to cause people to continue to argue . They can show love for others by not participating in the nonsense. Maybe? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690553 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:38:05 +0000 jh524 2690553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can't stand it right now either. I'm tempted to delete the thing entirely. I have so many liberal friends that are pushing they're anti everything right now. I want to stay updated with the news and my friends but its overloaded with garbage. I like Instagram where i see fun pictured of friends, family and cute motivational quotes...That's what I want to see anyways.</p> <p>@808love: Cant agree more! Love instagram </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690552 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:30:45 +0000 petitenoisette 2690552@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Im mostly using fb these days to organize politically. I have a few conservative fb friends who drive me a little batty but I keep them around to try not to exist in a complete echo chamber. They are not offensive, etc. and didn't vote for trump though so it's easier. </p> <p>To be honest it's a little hard for me to see people posting about all just happy stuff with no acknowledgement of what is going on. I know that is no really indication of how they actually feel but I appreciate greatly my friends who are speaking out. </p> <p>@Mrs. Sketchbook: really dislike pleas that facebook should only be for baby and animal pictures... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690549 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 17:22:52 +0000 Bluebonnet 2690549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not a fan of Facebook right now. I have friends on both sides of the political spectrum and it seems everyone is pushing their opinions/posting slanted "news" articles, and condemning anyone with a differing political view. It really bothers me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690542 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:50:11 +0000 Greentea 2690542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Social media is probably responsible for the state of things. I have nothing to do with it! No doubt it is used to control people... Using them to validate fake news to one another. Pretty sick and convenient! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690533 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:22:38 +0000 codeitall 2690533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It is a media/opinion war on my Facebook feed. Many of my friends are Liberal and theirs is all doom and gloom extremely frequent posting about the same issues from different obscure websites. The rest are Libertarians or fiscal republicans who largely voted third-party. Their posts range from horror to let's not panic to I'm done with Facebook.</p> <p>I'm close to being done with Facebook myself. I recognize that there are problems on issues very dear to my heart, but posting and arguing on Facebook will not change opinions and only gets people worked up. I've been able to ignore one friend's vegan posts and another's gun rights craziness, but this constant barrage of OMG Trump did this thing is draining. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690527 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 16:07:05 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2690527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@josina: eh, she's a Trump supporter so I immediately dismiss her plea for baby pictures on FB as a plea not to keep Trump accountable for things that actually matter, like gag orders on scientists and the Muslim ban. That may sound partisan, but OK, I embrace it. I can be partisan in a respectful way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690523 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:51:42 +0000 Mrs. Sketchbook 2690523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Mine has, bizarrely, gotten better. I have a bunch of conservative Christian friends and they were all political before the election against HC and now have pretty much shut up. Which on indicates to me that they are starting to wake up a little and are ashamed of themselves. </p> <p>My rule is to only post about things that have happened. Not like, thinkpieces or tweets. I definitely tried not to post before the election but I post daily nowadays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690521 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:51:12 +0000 josina 2690521@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just stumbled on this article, on facebook no less, that fits the sentiment: <a href="http://thefederalist.com/2017/02/01/facebook-dead-12-victim-2016/" rel="nofollow">http://thefederalist.com/2017/02/01/facebook-dead-12-victim-2016/</a></p> <p>I wish more close friends used instagram so I could use that instead of facebook. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-the-tenor-of-your-social-media-changed-substantially-in-recent-months#post-2690499 Wed, 01 Feb 2017 15:23:07 +0000 DesertDreams88 2690499@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>exactly what @josina: said.</p> <p>I honestly used FB a ton 2010-until now, and for the past week, when I log on, I have immediate apprehension and it gets me really upset. I have people all over the spectrum and have hidden the stupid crap.</p> <p>I don't know what to do. I don't want to stick my head in the sand and ignore everything. But I don't want to spend an hour or two every day reading and sharing about politics (it's very addicting to me). I also don't want to lose my main communication avenue with long distance friends and family. </p> <p>Maybe now it is finally time to check out instagram. </p>