With the recent Facebook hullabaloo with Cambridge Analytica, people were clamoring for an exodus from the social media platform. #DeleteFacebook was trending on Twitter and in most places online. This was a protest due to Facebook’s mishandling of the users’ personal information. Cambridge Analytica, a political data firm from the UK, used the data from more than 50 million Facebook users without their knowledge.

Despite all these outcries, it’s more likely that a majority of the people will still not exit or delete Facebook. The truth is, it’s more complicated than that.

Most Are Not Elon Musk

Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX, deleted the Facebook accounts of his companies. This was during the height of outcry for a massive departure from Facebook.

Elon claimed that he wasn’t even aware these verified pages existed. This deletion was his response to a tweet that called him out to take down his companies’ Facebook pages. Both brands had around 2.6 million followers and with high engagement prior to the deletion. Although the Facebook accounts for Tesla and SpaceX are now deleted, both are still active on Instagram.

Unlike Elon Musk, a majority of the active Facebook users have connections with family and friends. These relationships are important to many people. Facebook has allowed networking and communication easier across its many users. This has made nurturing relationships easier online.

Aside from that, Tesla and SpaceX are big corporations on their own. Somehow, they can do without having one social media platform under their sleeves. For small businesses, however, this is not possible. Small and medium businesses have to rely on Facebook in order to market their products and services more cost-effectively.

Reasons NOT to Delete Facebook

Even if more than 80 percent of Facebook users are concerned how Facebook uses their data, almost half of the users noted that they won’t cut back on how much they use the social media network. This is according to the research done by Raymond James, an investment firm.

There are many reasons why people will still continue using Facebook despite these issues. For one, Facebook allows people to keep in touch with friends and family. It allows anyone to be connected online.

Another thing is that Facebook has become a method for people to be more informed. The platform is now used for dispensing news on current events, both local and international. Social crisis or issues are also spread quicker on Facebook. According to a Pew Research Center study, more than two-thirds of the Americans today get information and news from social media.

Businesses have made use of Facebook to connect with their target market. This has provided them with a platform to engage and communicate with customers directly without spending too much money. It is also used to market and close sales effectively that works for small businesses.

But the real reason why people will not delete Facebook is that many cannot do without it anymore. It has become a solid part of the internet infrastructure even on a more global scale. When someone wants to look up companies or other people, they use Facebook.

A More Viable Option

Severing one’s ties with friends and family on Facebook and dumping your archive of cherished memories can be unthinkable for many people. A few users have noted that they are rethinking the trust they’ve given to Facebook. This question involves how much information one wants to share with Facebook.

Instead of totally deleting Facebook with 14 years of personal data, you can be more mindful of using it. Many people are suggesting just taking a sabbatical or a social media detox. Others also recommend just using the platform less. Doing so allows more time for real-life interaction and doing more activities instead of being glued to the mobile phone.