Michael Stipe’s call for a social media boycott led to criticism from fans.
The singer asked people to log out of all Meta platforms, including Threads, Whatsapp, Messenger, Giphy, Metaquest, and Rayban Meta, from January 19 to 26.
He wrote, “I’ll be logged off for the week. Starting tomorrow. Please consider doing the same so corporations like Meta can imagine there might be consequences for helping advance the far right in America and world wide. Or are we too addicted [that] we can’t log off even for one week?”
“Its so gross. I’m really happy to step away for a week as some form of protest—and then I’ll come back and decide what to do from there,” Stipe added in his post’s caption.
A person said in the comments, “Interesting but if people have businesses on these platforms, the algorithm will punish them later for being off for a week. Also I agree with other comments regarding getting news out of what is happening in Gaza. How about a concerted effort to push lots of other stories, etc. on MLK Day that is not inauguration-related?”
“Logging out for a week won’t impact my livelihood, but I know so many independent businesses who do rely on these platforms – cafes that advertise their menus, hours and specials, performers that advertise their gigs and products, advocacy groups that advertise their work, independent retailers and craftspeople who advertise their often handmade wares – many have just a social media home on FB or Insta and no other web presence since SM is free and commercial websites aren’t. There needs to be a way to small and independent businesses, sole traders, and artists to advertise and communicate in an affordable way to the public to truly ween everyone away from these sites,” another one wrote.
One other individual shared, “Michael Stipe prefers controlled speech.” A fan noted, “How bout log off Facebook for good. Best thing I did about 3 years ago…lotta bad-negative-harmful-unnecessary-false-manipulative vibes over there. Sure there are some issues with IG too, obviously.”
Another fan criticized the rocker, saying, “If you’re really upset, delete your accounts. This one-week thing is just performative.” One other critic shared, “You’ve got to be crazy! 30 children a day are being slaughtered in Gaza and you think it’s a good idea to cut off the only news source that is reporting about it???? WTF.”
“Not surprising but really disappointing, Michael. At the exact moment when people need to use their platforms the most—during the critical transition from one corrupt administration to another—you advise your vast following to refrain from expressing themselves on those very platforms—and when TikTok is going dark too (because of a law Biden signed)? What a great example of the generation gap. Your time has passed, my friend,” a fan also wrote.
Meta’s recent changes have caused many users to leave its platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, as NBC News reported. These changes include ending third-party fact-checking, reducing content moderation, and allowing harmful language about LGBTQ people. Meta also disbanded its diversity team.
