I’ve been thinking about whether to stay on Facebook, and I’ve decided at least for now to stay.

The simple truth is that the concept of Facebook began as a way to rate women at Harvard, which is despicable. So the recent decision by Mark Zuckerberg further solidifies the lack of character he has.

However, for me, it has become an avenue for connecting with people from various parts of my life and connecting with new people in a wide variety of ways. It gives me hope during dark times as well as advice on things as disparate as what bra to buy or how to fix my computer screen.

I left Twitter because Elon Musk was tweeting despicable things, and it was hard to avoid the wretched parts. Zuckerberg is not a decent person, but he doesn’t advertise it or dominate Facebook the way Musk does Twitter.

For the time being, I think I will be able to avoid those same parts of Facebook by silencing people and deleting things I don’t want to see. I have more power over it. I have never had problems with trolls on Facebook, and I have blocked people who seek to be that, even as I engage in fact based discussion respectfully with people with whom I disagree.

If I further isolate myself, I may become profoundly depressed about the state of the world, and I know that my voice, which I have committed to offering hope in dark days, will be quieter at a time when we need people to speak up.

So as long as I am able to curate my own content, I plan to remain because quite frankly, I need to hear the hope that others are giving, and I need to be that hope. That is one of the benefits of social media.

Am I creating a silo? Perhaps. But when it feels like the world is becoming as frightening as it seems, a person needs a fox hole. And I still have to live in the world.

However, I am going to use Facebook and not let it use me. I will not click on any links that try to sell me anything or use it to curate money for anyone.

I find the decision to stop fact checkers absolutely despicable and abhorrent. But for now, as I prayerfully reflect on my values, I want to remain in a space where I can find support, laughter and wisdom during dark days and share my joy as well as my encouragement to a broader community. And I can be that fact checker.

We need each other, and if Facebook is able to remain a space where I can, as my word of the year said, comfort and be comforted, I’m in.

I just won’t give a dime to support it.