i learned a new word the other day

That word is “greyrock” as in “How to greyrock Facebook.” I had no idea there was a word for what I have been doing for years.

Basically, you reduce your FB presence to the absolute minimum and never click on anything shoved into your timeline. Review privacy settings often and lock them down. Never ever use FB as a login method at any website. On mobile devices use the FB website, not the app. A decade ago, I installed the FB app on my phone but it was quickly clear to me that this was a terrible terrible idea so I deleted it and have been app free ever since. I also recently pared down my friends list to people I actually know or organizations I support. I no longer allow the side job to have any presence on my personal FB profile.

And because I am petty AF, I have blocked a lot of people.