A quick explanation: immediate family, you would have known without FB's involvement. Closest friends, same. Wider friends you see less often, maybe might have been mentioned at some point during the pregnancy, you can mark it off on a calendar and guesstimate arrival of baby. Friends you never see who've had a baby? Your definition of friend is stretched very thinly at that point, even if you were once close friends. Knowing/not knowing at that point makes very little difference to your ongoing relationship, particularly if it wasn't mentioned once during the previous 9 months.

I agree that email has become a second class citizen to social media sites, despite it being completely open and able to conduct group chats (albeit slightly painfully) for events etc.

The only thing many people are waiting for at this point is a suitable replacement for private, widely-used social comms that encourages more human interaction, without the manipulation and monetisation of relationships.

Didn't take a "hiatus", just straight up closed my account about eight years ago.

People who matter still make the effort, and I find the personalized interaction much more rewarding.

I always go back to the example of some friends of mine. They got engaged. Everyone else found out on Facebook. They got that news while they were pooping, sitting on the couch watching TV, etc.

I found out a few days later than everyone else... when they told me in person. And I got to be excited with them. And hug her and shake his hand.

I like that way better.