So you want to delete a Facebook account, yours I hope.
There was a time only a few short years ago when people would ask condescendingly, “You’re not on Facebook, yet?” if that question was met with a resounding, “No” than you’d almost be shunned out of your social circle. Nowadays, those same inquiries might go something like “OMG, You’re still on Facebook” as it appears the social networking site is fading in popularity with some users. Whether you’ve been a Facebooker since the very first Farmville chicken laid an egg or are new to the game, you’ve probably entertained thoughts of deleting your Facebook account at some point. There are definitely pros and cons to ponder over in the quest of whether or not to delete Facebook forever and say goodbye to your online social network presence.
The Case To Delete a Facebook Account
#1. Privacy – You probably know a friend of a friend who has had their personal Facebook photos cause them problems in some walks of life. I’ve had friends who’ve been fired as high school sports coaches, reprimanded by their bosses and been in hot water with their wives over some tavern pictures posted on Facebook. The person in the picture doesn’t even have to post them in their own album as all it takes is a friend to ‘tag’ them before the photos are consumed by the masses. One of the best ways to seperate your online world from your real life to protect your privacy is to delete your Facebook account…but then you’ll still have to make sure you don’t become a Background Billy while other people are posing for pictures at the tavern.
#2. Productivity – Facebook is a huge time waster and many people find it’s very addicting. If you don’t have anything to do, you might find yourself checking in on Facebook only 1 or 2 times a day but the minute you get busy, suddenly your brain finds the temptation to refresh the news feed every 10 seconds. Combine that lack of productivity multiplied with time wasting apps such as Song Pop or Words With Friends, not to mention Instant Messaging with people on your contact list and you can easily blow a couple of hours in what seemed like minutes. Just as if you don’t have a delicious chocolate cake in your refrigerator you won’t be tempted to eat it, if there’s no Facebook, you won’t be tempted to creep on an ex’s profile…for 5 straight hours.
#3. Lack Of Interest – While at first it was fun to see (stalk) what long lost classmates and lovers had been up to over the years, you’ll probably eventually find out their life has become as boring as yours. My news feed is flooded daily with virtually the same statuses…”I love my kids”…”I just went to the gym”…”I just got out of jail”…”I have to go back to jail tomorrow.” I’d be surprised if most people in the world didn’t have the same frustrations over their repetitive friends.
How To Permanently Delete Facebook
If you want to delete your Facebook Account then you must be sure that you never want to use this account again You will need to visit this page to fill in a form and request your account to be deleted. This is what it says on Facebook:
Permanently deleting Facebook means you will not be able to reactivate your account or retrieve any of the content or information you have added.
Download Facebook Account Before Deleting
- Click at the top right of any Facebook page and select Account Settings
- Click General in the left-hand column
- Click on “Download a copy of your Facebook data”
- Click Start My Archive
Because this download contains your timeline information, you should keep it secure and be careful when storing, sending or uploading it to any other services.
Deactivating Facebook vs Deleting Facebook
You can deactivate your Facebook account instead of deleting it permanently. The difference is that with deleting it is permanent and deactivating means you can reactivate your account at a later time.
How to Deactivate a Facebook Account?
- Click the account menu at the top right of any Facebook page
- Select Account Settings
- Click Security in the left-hand column
- Click Deactivate your account
Just remember to keep your Facebook sign in details just in case you do want to reactivate.
Why You Should Keep Facebook
Keep In Touch With Family – You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family and even though they might post the same dumb stuff every day or blackmail you into joining Zynga Bingo, it’s nice to know what relatives all over the globe are up to. It also makes it a little less awkward at family reunions because Facebook gives you the feeling that you’re connected, even though you may be miles apart.
For An Extra Contact Port – Not everybody has your cell phone number but most people can easily find you and get in contact on Facebook. If there’s a big reunion, party, or newly single foreign exchange student that became a model after high school but truly never got over that one night you spent in the park…or if your friend needs a ride, they can contact you on Facebook. This can be good and bad but it is also essential in the case of an emergency.
To Look Technologically Savvy – Can you imagine a business in this day and age not having a website or any person under 60 not having an email address? Facebook could soon be the main contact point between people…whether a potential employer wants a second interview, buyers want to purchase your goods, or companies want to contact you because you won that all-inclusive trip to the Bahamas. Telling somebody you don’t have a Facebook account – while now not so bad – could raise red flags in the future.
To Look Back And Reminisce – Facebook’s Timeline feature offers a nice way to look back over the years and reminisce about your life. While the every day antics of Facebook might drive you crazy, it’s nice to ponder over the years as a whole and remember the people that influenced your life. It’s also motivating to look to the time you could wear a two piece bikini or alternatively you canlook back and promise never to wear those skinny jeans ever again.
Whether you decide to delete your Facebook Account or not is totally your decision. As the last tip, if you are thinking about deleting your Facebook, don’t be one of those people that ‘threatens’ to delete it every status update.
“So long Facebook Friends I need to take a break for awhile” Posted on Tuesday at 1:34
“ Just got back from the gym” Posted on Tuesday at 1:38
I like this new information because only few days ago i wanted to delete my facebook account but i didn’t knew how to delete it so i changed the password in a way i will not remember it.But the problem now is i don’t know of there is any other person who open it or login in through it.I am so sad for that reason and also my account still appearing in the accounts of my friends and my enemies.
I do hack my facebook account was change my email address and the person playing with my photo, it speaks to my friends pretending to be me he even entered my emal, the hacker has my account my facebook chat, it is that s happening to one of my friends told me to weigh on the link to get a gift. of my friends see my photo everywhere wow I find it terrible c it looks like I’m the guilty nothing I can do it and it all Tours and Cruises
I thought this is could be a very easy to delete a facebook account but never thought about creating a Backup or have downloaded copy.. this wat we must do before delete our facebook account
really interesting things
Yes I try to avoid Facebook and only use it for business!! It is a great website and definitely gets you in. 🙂
Deleting your Facebook account is really easy, however it does take about 2 weeks time to proceed your request. During that period your FB account remain deactivated and if you wish you can even reclaim your account by cancelling your deletion request.