Did I suffer not being on Facebook?
The hardest part of boycotting Facebook over #CISPA (Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act) was the first 24 hours. There were the spam-like tags that I wouldn't be able to change or the moments when my co-workers would encourage me to like something. But I held strong and I did not log in.
When I click over to someone on the Internet, I feel no more differently if they were my significant other or a stranger. Moreover, it gives people a license to treat each other less than civil.
I found activism to be easy without social media. The difference is people may look at the message longer in person than they would online.
But my favorite part of my boycott was the ability to spread a message to the technology giants that they are not the only medium for the people's voice. If you disagree with me, I challenge you to take a 72-hour break from social media. I enjoyed my break from Facebook and I will continue to do so on and off. This way, if CISPA passes, then I will not have a hard time completely unplugging myself.
Marcile Powers
Bradenton, Fla.