COMMENTARY: National Unfriend Day helps declutter one’s social media
Social media makes it possible to find anyone from anywhere at any time. While convenient, this instant access often results in an overabundance of “friends” we would probably never actually speak to in person if given the opportunity. Over the years we collect these “friends” until they clutter our newsfeeds without us even realizing it as we mindlessly scroll through to the next post.
Is it necessary to still be connected with people we have met once and will never meet again? Take for example an old fling who, for the sake of this article will be known as Kevin. A few dates over a six-month period was the extent of the relationship. You matched with Kevin on a dating website five years ago and are no longer even in the same state.
The only reason Kevin has not been completely forgotten about is because he uses Facebook regularly to highlight his fitness obsession and loves showing others how he looks. Nov. 17 is National Unfriend Day (NUD), and Kevin is a great candidate.
TV host and comedian Jimmy Kimmel created National Unfriend Day (NUD) as an act of self-care we can all use by simplifying our virtual friends list and removing anyone who does not bring positivity to our online experience. Kimmel announced NUD on his talk show in 2010 and declared Nov. 17 as the day Facebook users should eliminate those from their friends list who are not actually friends. He even included some guidelines on how to decide who gets cut and they are as simple as if you would not invite them to your birthday party, unfriend them.
While this may seem insensitive, the time these acquaintances occupied is now time given to those whose friendship is of greater value. After all, Kevin the fitness guru may have been wanting to do the same thing to you. Facebook users on average have nearly 400 people on their friends’ list. Kimmel posed the question “do we really have that many friends?”
Social media users that add “friends” from one encounter can have an extensive collection to comb through but if a push for clicking ‘Unfriend’ is needed, consider safety. Also, take it as a lesson moving forward and don’t be so quick to friend request someone.
When we scroll through our friends list, we can be reminded of just how exposed we are to people we barely know. Your ex’s sister’s best friend is nice and all, but should he know where you and your friends are going for a night out?
A virtual stranger has a play by play of the planned night just by reading the comments section of a posted group selfie. Photos and postings may be private from public viewing, but in addition to the ex’s sister’s best friend, virtual strangers have access to personal information once they make it on your friends list.
For example, the super positive girl from the vegan festival vendor who inspired you for a couple of minutes last summer can determine where your parents live using little investigation since you added her during a euphoric moment.
In addition to practicing personal safety, the purification of decluttering a hoarded friends list can be beneficial to our mental health. While the advantages of social media are obvious, the harm it can play on our mental health should not be ignored.
A recent commentary from The Signal, “Finding a Balance Between Social Media and Health” highlights the importance of using social media in moderation to avoid the negative impact it can play on physical and mental health. Cutting toxic people out is necessary for mental well-being and knowing when it is time to do so might not be as obvious as to how much they irk you.
Participating in National Unfriend Day does not have to be a chore, it is a reward. It is even easier to unfriend someone than it is to send a friend request, and the additional benefit of never having to see Kevin showing off his biceps again is worth the click.
