On Facebook, the ability to manage connections exists on a spectrum of engagement. One end of this spectrum involves severing ties entirely, while the other offers a means of minimizing unwanted content without disrupting the established relationship. Disconnecting from someone entirely removes the connection between profiles, preventing access to personal information and shared posts that are visible only to connections. Alternatively, users can choose to limit the content they see from a connection without ending the relationship. This ensures continued access to the profile but reduces the amount of updates appearing in a news feed.
These differing levels of connection management provide distinct benefits. The complete removal of a connection is beneficial in situations where a relationship is no longer desired or appropriate. This ensures privacy and prevents further interaction. Minimizing content, however, is useful in situations where maintaining the connection is preferred, but the volume or nature of the content shared is undesirable. This allows users to curate their news feeds and maintain connections without being overwhelmed by unwanted information. The advent of these features reflects a growing awareness of the need for nuanced social interaction online.
