In today’s digital world, it can seem like almost everyone is on Facebook. After all, Facebook has over 2.8 billion monthly active users worldwide as of the fourth quarter of 2019. With so many people using the platform, it’s easy to assume that not having a Facebook account puts someone in the minority. However, while Facebook has billions of users, there are still groups of people who opt out of using the social media platform. Understanding why some people avoid Facebook can provide insight into concerns about social media, generational differences, and changing cultural attitudes toward technology and privacy.
Why do some people avoid Facebook?
There are a variety of reasons why certain individuals and demographics abstain from Facebook use:
Privacy and security concerns
Some people worry about privacy risks on Facebook. The platform collects large amounts of personal data from its users, and has faced criticism for its data handling practices. There are concerns about how secure this data is, and how Facebook may use or sell user data. People wanting to limit how much personal information is available online often cite privacy issues as a reason to avoid Facebook.
Fear of addiction or distraction
Others view Facebook as a distraction or waste of time. Social media can be addictive thanks to its frequent notifications and endless scroll of content. Individuals concerned about productivity and focus may quit Facebook to avoid getting sucked into lengthy browsing sessions. Similarly, people worried about technology addiction and establishing a healthier digital/life balance may choose to eliminate Facebook usage.
Cyberbullying and harassment
Unfortunately, cyberbullying and online harassment are problems that exist on many social media platforms, including Facebook. Younger users in particular may encounter negative interactions or comments on Facebook that impact mental health or self-esteem. Some parents restrict children’s Facebook access to protect them from these risks.
Fake news and misinformation
The spread of misinformation and “fake news” on social media is an issue many criticize Facebook for not doing enough to address. People concerned about being exposed to false or inaccurate content may stop using Facebook as a news source.
Political or ideological reasons
Some individuals disagree with Facebook’s policies and avoid the platform based on political or ideological positions. For example, concerns about political bias or censorship on Facebook may motivate certain users to quit.
Lack of interest or need
For certain demographics, avoiding Facebook is less about active rejection and more about simple disinterest or lack of need. Many younger users gravitate toward alternative platforms like Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. And some older adults are late digital adopters who never joined social media to begin with.
Demographics that tend to avoid Facebook
While Facebook appeals to users across ages and backgrounds, some key demographics are more likely to abstain from using the platform:
Younger generations
Gen Z teens and young adults have lower Facebook usage rates compared to Millennials and Gen X. According to Pew Research Center surveys, only around half of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 use Facebook. Rates are even lower among younger cohorts: Only 32% of teens 13 to 14 use Facebook. This contrasts with adoption among older groups – approximately 80% of Millennials and 75% of Gen X are Facebook users.
Younger users often prefer Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube over Facebook. They may view Facebook as an “old people” platform or find it irrelevant to how they socialize online. Some younger people maintain Facebook accounts solely to stay connected with certain relatives or keep up with family news.
Older adults
While Millennials and Gen X flocked to Facebook as it rose to prominence, adoption rates are much lower among older generations. Only about 40% of Baby Boomers and 21% of the Silent Generation use Facebook, per Pew surveys. Some older adults have an aversion to technology or social media more broadly. Others lack digital literacy skills needed to use platforms like Facebook effectively.
Very wealthy households
An interesting Facebook abstainer demographic is wealthy individuals. Approximately one-third of households earning over $150,000 per year do not use Facebook, according to Pew. Compare this to just 7% of households earning $30,000-$49,999 that stay off Facebook. There are a few possible reasons for this trend. The wealthy may have concerns about privacy risks or desire greater anonymity online. Staying off social media may also be a status symbol in certain elite circles.
More educated social media users
According to 2021 research from eMarketer, U.S. Facebook users with higher educational attainment are slightly more likely to have deactivated their accounts in the past year. For example, 12.5% of users with a college degree left Facebook versus 10.2% of those with some high school or less. The enhanced digital literacy and privacy consciousness associated with higher education may motivate this group to quit at a greater rate.
Facebook employees
Interestingly, some Facebook employees avoid using the platform based on various ethical concerns. For instance, data scientist Jeff Hammerbacher left Facebook in 2008 and explained he “didn’t want to build tools that control people.” Other company insiders and former employees have backed away from Facebook due to issues like political divisions, misinformation, and data privacy.
How common is it to be a non-Facebook user?
Determining exact statistics on the percentage of people who don’t use Facebook is difficult. However, we can piece together data from multiple surveys and reports to estimate general trends:
| Age Group | Share who do not use Facebook |
|---|---|
| U.S. teens ages 13-17 | 49% |
| 18-29 year olds | 25% |
| 30-49 year olds | 19% |
| 50-64 year olds | 31% |
| 65+ year olds | 44% |
In the U.S., around one-quarter of adults under 50 are estimated to not use Facebook. This rate rises to nearly one-third or close to half for older groups. Geography also plays a role – Facebook use is less prevalent in many European nations compared to the U.S., for example.
Rates of leaving Facebook can also provide perspective. A 2021 survey by Social Media Today found 16% of social media users planned to use Facebook less. Additionally, about 1 in 10 U.S. users deactivated their accounts in the past year per 2021 data from eMarketer. Facebook’s global user base continues growing but adoption among lucrative younger demos is stagnating in the U.S.
The pros and cons of not using Facebook
Is avoiding Facebook altogether a wise choice? There are reasonable arguments on both sides:
Potential benefits of leaving Facebook
- Reduced exposure to misleading or false content
- Avoidance of political arguments and negativity
- Improved productivity and focus
- Enhanced privacy and anonymity online
- More control over personal data sharing
- Decreased risk of cyberbullying and harassment
Possible disadvantages of quitting Facebook
- Loss of connections, especially with distant acquaintances
- Missing out on event invites or group information
- Less access to community groups and discussions
- Potential FOMO from being out of the loop on news/trends
- Lack of passive knowledge about friends’ lives
There are reasonable pros and cons of avoiding Facebook. Each individual must decide if the benefits outweigh the disadvantages based on their personal situation and preferences.
Tips for leaving Facebook
For those considering deactivating their Facebook accounts, here are a few tips to make the transition smoother:
Download your Facebook data
Before leaving, download an archive of your Facebook data for your records. This allows you to save photos, posts and other personal content.
Let close connections know
Alert your inner circle that you are leaving Facebook. This allows friends and family to connect with you through other methods.
Remove Facebook app from your phone
Deleting the Facebook app from your smartphone eliminates the reflex to check Facebook constantly.
Try alternative platforms
Experiment with other social media sites or apps that provide value without as many downsides in your view.
Find new hobbies
Replace Facebook time with offline hobbies and activities you enjoy. Read books, exercise, volunteer, etc.
The future of Facebook abstainers
While most people remain active Facebook users, the demographic trends suggest fewer newcomers are joining the platform as adolescents and young adults. An increasing portion of younger generations are being raised without Facebook as a central social hub. If other emerging networks siphon away teenage and youth engagement, Facebook’s demographics may continue to skew older.
However, Facebook’s family focus and ubiquity still attract many people across age groups. Events like the pandemic and the 2020 election demonstrated Facebook’s power to influence public discourse. As long as Facebook maintains its breadth of features and audience, it will likely remain a dominant force even amidst growing defectors. Yet the seeds of future platform change may already be taking root among today’s youth.