Psychology says people who never post on social media but check it every day aren't passive - they opted out of the performance while keeping the window, and keeping the window without paying the price is the most rational position available and the one the platform was specifically designed to make feel antisocial - Silicon Canals

"Passive use refers to the practice of quietly observing other people's social media profiles and pictures-sometimes known as 'Facebook stalking.' Just because someone isn't posting doesn't mean they're passive. They're making an active choice every single day to observe without performing."

"How many times have you typed out a comment, then deleted it? Started to share something, then thought better of it? That's not passivity. That's judgment, discretion, and honestly, a level of self-control that social media companies absolutely hate."

"These aren't innocent features. They're designed to make non-posters feel like they're doing social media wrong. Friends started asking if I was okay. Family members wondered if something was wrong."

Many users of social media choose to observe rather than post, challenging the narrative that non-posters are antisocial or missing out. This behavior, known as passive use, involves actively deciding to refrain from sharing thoughts or content. Such users exhibit judgment and self-control, which social media platforms often discourage. Features like Facebook memories and Instagram prompts aim to make these silent users feel inadequate for not participating, highlighting the pressure to conform to posting norms.

Read at Silicon Canals