> you are forced to use it or be left out of a huge amount of social interaction

That is still optional.

So is basic hygiene, but you can't expect to be successful in life without that either. That may sound somewhat hyperbolic, but as Facebook increases it's reach it is becoming true.

Your personal network is often critical for finding spouses, or jobs; it can provide helping hands when things go wrong, and for most people it's a source of happiness.

For better or worse, Facebook has appropriated the personal networks of a majority of people in our society. It is possible to opt out of Facebook, just like you can opt out of society and go live in a shack in the woods.

>So is basic hygiene, but you can't expect to be successful in life without that either.

An option does not mean that something is exactly equivalent or that it does not come with side effects.

>It is possible to opt out of Facebook, just like you can opt out of society and go live in a shack in the woods.

Definitely not in a shack, definitely not on Facebook.

You, like a lot of people in the thread, see Facebook as required because 'everyone' uses it, except everyone uses it because it is required. Your own hangups or how it will be perceived by others makes you look on it as if it was required and not just something you chose to do one day.

Honestly a friend that won't interact with you unless you have a Facebook account isn't someone I would call a friend.

It's not that Facebook is required to have social interactions, but you're effectively cutting yourself off from a majority of society because it has become an expected norm. I have "real friends" that I used to talk to over the phone somewhat regularly. Facebook has taken over that network of people and now we post or chat on Facebook.

I experience that not using Facebook has positive filter effects. People that do not understand that I do not like FB are not my friends. Facebook is therefore a good knife to cut me off drivel.

If I didn't use facebook in London then I would simply miss every social invitation that I am given. Many people only use it because of this and would drop it otherwise.

so was selling yourself into bondage in the Middle Ages, after all you always had the choice to starve to death.

Depends, if you can live as a hermit, then maybe yes. But my circle of contacts for example communicate with Facebook only, and I am already a not social person, if I deleted my Facebook I would spend months before getting. Invited to a party or funeral

It's impossible to have friends that don't use facebook?

It would seem that Facebook is 'required' because you see some requirement to interact with people that won't talk to you in any other way. That is also a choice you made.

Currently what I do is move as needed to get money as needed, and the places where I ended so far everyone else as only passing through too, so new friendships don't have the chance to form.

no, of course it's not. But friendships are not something you can plan or form like that.

Deleted mine two months ago. I'd say it's absolutely optional. I still talk all the time with my friends on Twitter, Text Message, Phone, etc. And I rarely find sites that only have Facebook login.

> Not to mention my college literally requires you to use it.

How so?