An unexpected outcome from the EU referendum has been Frienxit.
Frienxit is the sudden rise of ‘unfriending’ ‘unfollowing’ ‘muting’ or even ‘blocking’ people on social media sites, after people respond to alternative views.
During the EU referendum debate, millions have taken to social networks to share their views like never before – but it seems not everyone wants to hear them.
And now prior to the outcome on Britain possibly exiting the EU – many are exiting their digital relationships. It comes as people discover that their online friends, maybe are not the sort of people they’d like to spend time with – even if it’s only virtual time.
But why now? Well when many of us first ventured onto social media there was great enthusiasm to connect with people we know. These are people we may not have stayed friends with in the real world.
This has also been a very different debate from normal elections. People are not hiding behind party banners but ‘coming out of the closet’ on some of their more extreme political views.
Maybe because of fear of the online abuse we have seen politicians face, many are choosing to Frienxit these relationships as an easier option to tackling these views head on.
Initial responses to my Twitter poll shows a majority say they are not backing Frienxit, but a lot have. But the most important question of all (other than the
EUref result) – have you been Frienxited?
Christopher Wellbelove DL 