But how will you stay in contact with your friends? The ones who moved during the pandemic, or who just are out of reach due to social distancing, work, or, you know, life? How do you keep those people close without something like Facebook?
Okay. Fine. You could try to get your friends to move to a more moderated network, like Twitter. You could try to just use the slightly less harmful version of Facebook: Instagram. Perhaps you could even get all of your friends to move over to Discord and Signal for more privacy and freedom.
But let’s face it, you’re going to have to leave many of your friends behind if you try that.
So what can you do?
You can hurt Facebook and continue to use their service. Think of it like stealing from Facebook. Using their service without letting them use you. You can slowly reduce your usage of Facebook and their apps. You can show them that there are consequences to enabling fascism, bigotry, and hate, all while stealing user data from all over the web and your mobile device.
Interested?
With just a few minutes, and perhaps a few suggestions to friends, you can hit Facebook where it hurts, without leaving it behind completely.
A little warning: This is a loooooooong list of suggestions. Bookmark this page for later. Just do a few of these items, or whatever you’re comfortable with doing now. You can always come back later to chip away at Facebook a little more. I didn’t do all of these at once. This is a collection of things I’ve done over the years or have been waiting to do. Facebook’s latest push to allow toxicity back on their platform was the last straw for me, and I decided to finally do a few of the items on my list. This will simply help make your account less profitable to Facebook. It may even make your profile cost Facebook more to host than they can make off of you.
In This Article:
Stop Data Grabbing
Facebook is a company built around gathering information on you. If you want to really hurt them, take away their ability to track you around the web and build a profile on you. This will force them to use outdated information. They won’t be able to show you relevant ads that will be tempting to click or engage with. It’ll cause a drop in revenue from you. This is a great way to hurt Facebook’s bottom line, and if everyone took these steps, Facebook would be struggling.
Firefox Containers
I’m going to harp on this a lot, but you should consider using Firefox. It’s a browser built around privacy. Safari is good, but it doesn’t have all of the privacy features of Firefox, like encrypted DNS look ups, blocking tracking services, cookies, cross-site cookies, and even ISO-based super cookies. Firefox, unlike Chrome and Brave, is not made to make money from your browsing habits. It’s privacy for the sake of privacy.
Perhaps one of my favorite features is Firefox Containers. These are basically containerized browsers inside your browser. With the Facebook Container add-on, you’ll be able to automatically lock Facebook off into its own container. It’ll even block Facebook on other sites, and warn you when you’re about to link data from one website to Facebook.
Plus, you can use containers for other sites too. Use an add-on called “Containerise” to automatically put certain websites into custom containers. I shove Amazon into a unique container as well, so they can’t grab my other information. I also use multiple containers for multiple accounts, sort of account containers. That way I don’t have to worry about signing out and back in. I’m signed into YouTube on my Leaf and Core tab, but also my Tumblr and Twitter under the Leaf and Core container I’ve made. This way I can keep my personal accounts separate and don’t have to bother logging out and back in. It’s incredibly convenient, and I highly recommend using it.
Block App Tracking on iOS
Nearly all U.S. iOS users are choosing “Ask App Not to Track.”
You’ve likely heard about Facebook’s frustration over a new feature in iOS that allows users to block tracking across apps. Well? Make sure you chose not to allow that tracking. If you’re not sure, you can block all tracking like this by going into Settings > Privacy > Tracking and make sure “Allow Apps to Request to Track” is turned off.
You should do that anyway. Block all apps, tracking doesn’t benefit you, it’s only for companies looking to sell your data.
Wait… No. Delete the App!
Forget ad blocking. Well, don’t, you should still do that. But what I’m saying is that you should just delete the whole Facebook app. Whether your on iOS or Android, delete the Facebook app. An app can potentially have access to more data on you than a browser. But there’s another benefit to deleting the app. With it gone, you won’t get notifications anymore. You’ll only check Facebook when you feel like checking Facebook. It’s incredibly liberating to not get a constant stream of notifications on Facebook. Plus, this will reduce your engagement with Facebook naturally. You’ll still get all the updates you need, it just won’t pester you. You’ll quickly find you don’t need to open Facebook as often as you previously thought.
Use a Separate Browser on Mobile
Don’t just use the same browser you use for everything else. Instead, use a dedicated browser just for Facebook. For example, I mostly use Firefox on every platform, including iOS. That keeps me safe thanks to the Facebook container on desktop, but Mozilla hasn’t brought that over to Firefox on iOS (or they can’t per Apple’s rules).
However, you can emulate containers simply by using different browsers. When browsing Facebook, I use Safari, instead of Firefox. I don’t use Safari for anything else, just Facebook. Try not to click links or ads while you use it though. I highly recommend using Safari for your Facebook page, as it can use content blockers on iOS, like 1Block and others, to block ads and trackers on iOS. Still, best to use Facebook as minimally as possible, even on this separate browser.
Whether you use Safari or a third party browser, just be sure not to use the same browser that you use as your default. This disables Facebook from tracking you across the web as easily. Here are a few third party browser choices:
- Firefox: iOS – Android
- DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser: iOS – Android
- Opera: iOS – Android
- Ecosia: iOS – Android (Bonus: this one plants trees for searches!)
What about the desktop? I highly recommend just using Firefox and adding the Facebook Container add-on. This will automatically section off Facebook content. It’ll be like using two browsers, but you’ll never have to think about it.
Use a Separate Email Address
Here’s an easy one, though it won’t help you too much if you already have an account. You could decide to start using a brand new email address (more on that in a bit) on every other website. Alternatively, you could remove your email address on Facebook and add a new one there. The trade-off is that it’s possible Facebook will still track you via your old email address. However, it’s possible they won’t, so it could be worth a try.
Many email services allow you to create an alias. This is a separate email address that forwards email to your main email address. To other companies, they seem like completely separate addresses and, potentially, completely separate people. Only you’ll know the truth.
You can set up aliases yourself, or you could use a service like Firefox Relay. I’ll show you how to create a Relay account, as well as set up iCloud and Gmail with aliases. This is in order of difficulty. Firefox Relay is a breeze to set up and iCloud is quite simple as well. Gmail takes some effort.
Firefox Relay
Firefox relay is the easiest of these options, because it was made for this exact purpose. First, sign up for Firefox Relay. I highly recommend using Firefox, especially because you can get an add-on that will recommend your alias emails for different services. Once you’re set up, click “Generate New Alias.” It’ll create a randomized email address. Copy that, and use it for the “Change Email in Facebook” step below.
iCloud
After logging in, go to your email page. In the lower left corner, click the gear icon. Select “Preferences.” Click the “Accounts” tab. On the left side, click “Add an alias.” Give it an email address, a name (I suggest “Facebook” so you know not to use it elsewhere) and click done. You’re ready to use this email address on Facebook instead of your real one.
Gmail
First, there are two options here. You can either add special characters (like the period or plus sign) to your email address. Facebook might be smart enough to see through this, but there’s a chance they won’t. So, if your email address is thisismyname@gmail.com, you can make it this.is+my+name@gmail.com.
Your second option is to forward email from another email address. This is potentially more secure, but far more complex. So, first, make a new Gmail account, maybe something like, “mynewfacebookemail93489567@gmail.com”. It doesn’t have to make sense. Then, sign out and back in to your original account.
In the upper right corner of Gmail, click the gear icon. Click more settings. Go to “Accounts and Import.” Down a few items, you’ll see “Check mail from other accounts.” Click “Add a mail account.” You’ll get a pop up window with a website that looks like it’s straight out of 1999. Enter your new Gmail account and click next. Google will fill in some settings for you, though you’ll have to add your password. Then click add account. You’ll have to go to the flow, confirming you want to check that you want to send mail as your new email, that you want to treat the email address as an alias, and then click send verification.
Finally, log into the email account you’re adding as an alias. You’ll have an email from Google, asking you to confirm ownership. Click the confirm link, and your new Gmail account will be set up as an alias for your first account.
Change Email in Facebook
In the top right corner, click the down arrow. Then “Settings and Privacy.” Then “Settings.” In General Account Settings, change your Contact Email and Ad Account contact, if present. You’ll have to enter your password, then confirm that you received the email. You’re not done after confirming. Go back in and tap edit on contact. It’ll still have your old email address, your real email address, along with the new one. Remove it. You may have to refresh the page, but it should also send you an email, confirming it was removed. That could make it much more difficult for Facebook to track you across websites where you’ve logged in with your email address. Of course, Facebook may retain more information than we’ll ever know. They may retain old email addresses. Maybe not indefinitely, but certainly for a short period of time. Eventually, this could be secure.
Reduce Your Use
Listen, I know the whole point of this post is things you can do to hurt Facebook without quitting. But, you may not realize this: Facebook has you addicted. Yes, it’s very useful for keeping in touch with your friends, but when you actually open the app or website, is that usually why you’re there? More likely it was some notification, often something you didn’t even care to get, like a bunch of likes on a post, a post in a group you’re in, or some other distraction to bring you back. You may have opened the app without ever having a goal in mind. You did it out of instinct, habit. Once you’re there, the infinite scrolling, distracting side bars, colors, and notifications, keep you locked in. It’s using the same tricks that slot machines use to become addictive.
So, here are a few tips to make Facebook a little less addictive, or at least spread the addiction somewhere else. This can help reduce the time you spend on Facebook. We’re not talking about deleting it, but you might find that after it becomes less addictive, you use it less.
Although, you should still delete the app.
Hide and Customize Facebook (And Hurt Ad Revenue!)
First, get an add-on called Social Fixer. It’s out for Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, Opera, and even Edge. You can also use a userscript. This tool will pop up when you’re using Facebook, allowing you to customize your Facebook experience. You can automatically hide sponsored posts, even the ones adblockers miss because Facebook disguises them as real posts.
Social Fixer will also allow you to hide parts of the page, like the friends chat sidebar, which I never needed so blanking out some colorful items can make the site less addictive. I also blocked out the other distracting items at the top that show notifications, like Facebook’s shopping pages.
Perhaps the biggest blocking feature is the ability to block items based on text. You can use this to block out subjects you can’t resist becoming over-involved with, like politics, or Facebook’s suggested posts. I found those posts were often things I liked, but I didn’t want to engage with things that weren’t from my friends. You can do this by adding “Suggested for You” in the Hide Posts section of Social Fixer’s options. Now everything you see is from your friends.
Finally, Social Fixer turns off infinite scroll. You have to manually load the next X number of posts (it defaults to 50). This helps remind you that you’ve been scrolling for quite some time, maybe you can take a break. That little reminder alone has lead to me closing Facebook more frequently, and spending less time on the website.
Chat Alternatives
Many of my friends worked at one company a few years back. When I and a few others were laid off, we started a Facebook chat group to stay in touch. When the pandemic hit, we were using this a lot, and had a few break-out rooms for different discussions. Finally, we set up a Discord server.
Discord was able to also replace Zoom for us, so we didn’t have to log in with one of our work Zoom accounts to get longer than 40 minute chats. Discord is an app made for group chats. It’s better than trying to get everyone on WhatsApp (also owned by Facebook), Telegram, or, Signal. Plus, it’s all-in-one: voice, video, and text chat. Initially Discord was gaming-focused, but now it’s for general chats, servers based on specific interests, and more. Really, it may be the best chat option right now because it’s super easy to set up and start using. I even had a date over Discord!
So, set up Discord, it only takes a few minutes, and then you can start inviting your friends with a link. It’s not just for gamers, it’s not just for young people. In fact, professionals? It’s basically an easier-to-navigate Slack with actually fantastic video services built in. The background noise cancellation on Discord is legendary. So, create a Discord server, invite your friends, and you’ll quickly find they’ll flock over to Discord instead of using Facebook’s rather janky and bloated Messenger.
Friend Feed Alternatives
This one’s more difficult. I personally create a Twitter that features my real name, separate from my more… active… Twitter account. I found other friends doing the same on Twitter, following them. This can give you another way to stay in touch with people outside of Facebook, and may reduce your reliance on Facebook.
Interestingly, Discord will also do this. I found I share more photos and links in our group chats and less on Facebook now. You may find using a chat app helps reduce your use of Facebook. Get a few groups going, and you’ll have all the friend updates you need.
News Alternatives
Many people use Facebook for news. You should absolutely not do this. Facebook uses content without paying for it, starting discussions based on a headline, a blurb, and a photo alone. Furthermore, Facebook intentionally promotes controversial stories, not unbiased news. Do not get your news from Facebook.
Instead, try one of these alternatives:
- RSS: Many websites have an RSS feed (including this one). You can put these feed URLs in an RSS reader of your choosing (I use Vienna on macOS and NetNewsWire on iOS. It’s easy and lets you skim headlines and read full stories easily.
- Flipboard: This is basically a magazine for your news. It has a unique user interface that lets you flip through news stories like paging through a magazine. Don’t worry, you flip vertically on mobile, so it feels natural, like scrolling. You can add interests and Flipboard will find news stories across the web, as well as make suggestions.
- Apple News or Microsoft News: I won’t recommend the obvious third option here (Google News) for privacy reasons. However, Apple and Microsoft (especially Apple) care a little more about privacy. These work much like Flipboard. Enter interests and they’ll find curated news. They also make it easy to follow individual sites.
- Bookmarks: Just bookmark your favorite news websites and check in on them on occasion.
Make Big Facebook Settings Changes
Facebook has many privacy settings. You can disable many of them, which will help reduce Facebook’s ability to link you to other people, your interests, and other organizations. It’ll make your profile less valuable to Facebook, which is the whole point of all of this.
Change Your Name
First, you can change your name. Facebook does require it’s an authentic name, one that you go by, but it’s hard to prove. You can use your middle name, some nickname, or just something that isn’t directly tied to you. While Facebook will likely still track your old name for some time, it will make it more difficult for other people to find you. This will reduce the spread of your network, and therefore reduce Facebook’s reach. Speaking of…
Downsize Your Friend List
Shrinking the friend list means fewer confirmed links between users. Facebook loves those links. It helps them find connections between people outside of the interests you’ve given them. For example, if your friend is really into cars, you might be too. Reduce your friend list to just your close friends by removing people you don’t talk to anymore and can’t see rekindling anything with.
It’s harsh, but if you don’t see a future there, it’s best to not let Facebook know about your friendship… or previous friendship.
Go Through All The Settings
There’s too many to list in detail here. Still, I highlighted a few you should definitely check out. This list will likely be outdated in a year. Facebook continues to add new intrusions on your privacy. Fortunately, you sometimes get the ability to turn these off.
Check out these privacy settings in particular:
- Your Facebook Information
- Off-Facebook Activity
- Managing Your Information
- Deactivation and Deletion (Hey, just a suggestion!)
- Privacy: turn off everything. Use the “Only Me,” privacy setting, clear the data you can, and make sure search engines outside of Facebook can’t access your profile.
- Don’t receive message requests from people you don’t know, that’s just a good privacy tip.
- Everything. Change just about every option. Locking down your privacy helps shrink your network.
- Face Recognition: Yeah, turn that off. That one should be obvious. If Facebook can track you across your friend’s photos, what else could they potentially track you across?
- Profile and Tagging: you may want to lock this down so no one can tag you in anything.
- Public Posts: Make sure no one can see your posts but your friends.
- Location: Make sure Location History is turned off. Unless, did you want Facebook literally tracking your location? No? Didn’t think so. But Facebook thought it could be useful!
- Notifications: Turn off all that you don’t want. This will prevent Facebook’s constant pestering to pull you back onto their website.
- Make sure you don’t have your phone under “Mobile” or anywhere else. Facebook doesn’t need your phone number, they use that to do reverse look ups based on contact lists. You can simply use an app-based 2-factor authentication under Security and Login instead. I recommend Authy.
- Apps and Websites: turn them all off. Why share your data with anyone?
- Ad Preferences: Turn off everything you can, remove ads from every option, every company, every group available. This will make you more difficult to target, and therefore a less profitable user.
- Definitely turn off “ads shown off Facebook,” so you can’t be reached on other sites. This hurts them quite a bit. Facebook seems to suggest it could shut down their Facebook Audience Network. Oh no! Shut it down.
Insult Them On Their Own Platform
Okay, this is a bit petty, but, surely you’ll want to free others from Facebook too, right? It’s not all petty! You’re helping others escape Facebook! The problem is, Facebook doesn’t make this easy.
I believe Facebook filters out posts that insult of demean Facebook. It’s shady, but I’ve found posts that are direct links to Twitter do worse than screenshots of Twitter, and that posts about Facebook do worse as far as exposure than other posts. I’m measuring only on likes, but let’s be real here, does anyone actually like Facebook? No. So there’s no way people wouldn’t interact with anti-Facebook news at all. It just comes down to the idea that Facebook could be hiding this information from their users. But that’s fine, you can trick them into boosting your anti-Facebook stories anyway.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Use image posts, Facebook loves boosting images. This is how I slip tweets into my Facebook news feed as well.
- Share screenshots of news articles on your Instagram stories. You can provide a link if people ask, or additional info in the story.
- You can take advantage of another boost if you rarely use Facebook’s stories and cross-post it there. Since Facebook will tell your friends “So-and-so has posted on their Facebook story for the first time in a while, check it out!” they’ll actually use a notification to send people to your anti-Facebook propaganda.
- Use cutesy names repetitively, so friends can figure out you’re talking about Facebook without Facebook knowing.
- VisageTome
- AppearanceNovel
- FlakeBük
- HeadCollection
- etc. Get creative. Be mean. Facebook doesn’t have feelings.
- Make suggestions by sharing information about competitors, like Discord or Twitter. Just slowly push people towards better options, maybe they’ll leave Facebook and cut your ties to the social network for you.
It’s not easy to raise awareness of Facebook’s wrongdoings on Facebook, but if you’re clever, you can slip information past their algorithm. I don’t have proof Facebook blocks negative stories or stories about competitors, but it surely seems like they do from views and interactions I’ve noticed on my own content.
Block Out
Facebook boycotts have been effective before. It’s time to do it again. Just a day or two. Maybe a week. Maybe you do your own personal FaceBlock Friday. Perhaps there will be a push to do a group boycott on a single day? These boycotts cost Facebook millions, potentially billions, if enough people are involved. Simply taking one day to refuse to use Facebook is enough to hurt their business model substantially. Do it for yourself every week, once a day, and you may realize you don’t need to be on Facebook for more than an occasional check-in.
Do the things listed here and keep working at it. Check up on your privacy and security frequently and try to hit Facebook where it counts. Most of these tips allow you to use Facebook normally without helping their business model. Just do something to hurt Facebook today. Maybe it’ll force them to change. Maybe it’ll help you realize you don’t actually need Facebook at all.