Sponsored message
Logged in as
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

It's National Unfriend Day; will you be defriended on Facebook?

This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.

Are you annoyed by the oversaturation of listicles, wedding pics, humblebragging and vaguebooking filling your Facebook news feed? Or maybe you're guilty of one of the above.

Today is National Unfriend Day, an annual event started by Jimmy Kimmel and an opportunity to reevaluate the way we post. 

Watch Jimmy Kimmel tell us what he hates on Facebook

A little worried after watching that? It's not too late to turn it all around. Author Jacqueline Whitmore says you’ll likely get the boot if you’re one of these kinds of Facebook users:

  • The Ranter: The one who likes to rant about trivial things like how he hates this and can’t stand that. Nothing you say or do can make this person happy.
  • The Braggart: The person who wants you to know how smart or good looking she is or how smart her kids or pets are. This person is addicted to posting selfies and endless pictures of their children or pets.
  • The Debbie Downer: The person who has nothing positive to say and wants everyone to know how bad their life is.
  • The Politician: The one who talks about nothing but politics and what’s wrong with his city, county or country.
  • The Stalker: The person who uses FB as a way of checking up on people but NEVER contributes by posting or “liking” what you or others have to say. 

Don't be ashamed if you lose a couple "friends" today. Whitemore says it's not so bad.

“Unfriending has been perceived as a bad thing, but if you're friends just because you have a common acquaintance, or someone sent you a random friend request when you don’t even know them, there’s nothing wrong with unfriending them. If someone gets offended that you cut them, simply apologize and explain that you’re trying to make your time online more efficient.”

Pro tips: Here's how to unfriend. But if you're not ready to take that step,
Sponsored message
try this instead.

I'll admit: I'm definitely the stalker. Which archetype are you? Better yet, why do you unfriend? 

Tell us why on Twitter @KPCC

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today