When is it Time to Cut Ties with Facebook Friends?

Summary

Many people face the issue of having a bloated Facebook friends list, and wonder when they should start trimming it down. In this Q&A, we explore the topic of unfriending people on Facebook with Mr. Noodle. We learn about Facebook’s redefinition of the word ‘friend,’ and how unfriending can be equated to quitting a bad book.

Facebook’s Redefinition of the Word ‘Friend’
Unfriending: Similar to Quitting a Bad Book, According to Samuel Johnson
Ethics of Unfriending
Managing Expectations when Unfriending
How to Go About Unfriending Someone
Are There Consequences to Unfriending?
Conclusion

Introduction

Social media has greatly changed the way we maintain our social relationships. Platforms like Facebook have given us an opportunity to connect with people from our past, including old classmates or acquaintances. However, as we grow older, some of these connections become less significant in our lives. It can be tough to know when and how to unfriend someone. In this Q&A, we explore the topic of unfriending Facebook friends.

Q&A

1. Facebook’s Redefinition of the Word ‘Friend’

Questioner: How has Facebook redefined the word ‘friend’?

Mr. Noodle: Facebook has redefined the word ‘friend’ as someone you have digitally connected with, which includes extended family, acquaintances, and coworkers. It doesn’t necessarily reflect a person’s actual relationship with that individual.

2. Unfriending: Similar to Quitting a Bad Book, According to Samuel Johnson

Questioner: Is it justified to unfriend people on Facebook?

Mr. Noodle: Unfriending someone on Facebook can be compared to stopping halfway through a bad book. Samuel Johnson, an 18th-century man of letters, believed that he didn’t need to read an entire bad book. We can apply this same logic to our social media connections. It’s okay to remove someone from our Facebook friends list if we don’t find value in the relationship.

3. Ethics of Unfriending

Questioner: Is unfriending someone ethical?

Mr. Noodle: The ethics of unfriending must be considered on a case-by-case basis. Generally, it is ethical to unfriend someone if the relationship is no longer beneficial or if the person is posting content that goes against your values or beliefs. That being said, it’s important to be considerate in how we unfriend someone.

4. Managing Expectations when Unfriending

Questioner: How can we manage the expectations of people we unfriend on Facebook?

Mr. Noodle: It’s important to communicate openly and honestly with people about why you unfriended them. However, keep in mind that not everyone wants to hear that they are being unfriended. You can choose to mute their posts or hide them from your feed instead.

5. How to Go About Unfriending Someone

Questioner: How do you actually go about unfriending someone?

Mr. Noodle: Unfriending someone is an easy process. Simply go to that person’s profile, click the “Friends” button, and select “Unfriend.” They won’t be notified that you unfriended them. If you’re uncertain, you can also choose to put someone on a “Restricted” list, which means they will still be on your friends list, but they won’t be able to see your posts or updates.

6. Are There Consequences to Unfriending?

Questioner: Are there any negative consequences to unfriending someone on Facebook?

Mr. Noodle: There is a possibility that the person you unfriend may become angry or upset. However, it’s important to remember that your social media connections should not dictate your real-life relationships. If someone can’t handle being unfriended, it may speak more to their character.

Conclusion

Unfriending someone on Facebook can be a challenging decision, but it’s important to remember that social media connections aren’t the same as real-life connections. It’s okay to remove someone from your Facebook friends list if the relationship is no longer beneficial. Be considerate and communicate honestly with people, but ultimately, prioritize your own well-being.