>Nobody is being forced to use Facebook and nobody is being penalized for not using it.
I know several people working in journalism who are as part of their job forced to maintain a social media presence and nowadays it is often the only way to even reliably contact or communicate with sources.
Not to mention that even more fundamental aspects like dating are increasingly moving onto digital platforms. So yes, for many people social media presence is part of their job, and for many young people it is increasingly becoming the primary gateway to maintaining social relations.
Journalists are an interesting counter-example that I hadn't thought of. Are there any other examples where maintaining an account is effectively a requirement of the job?
As for kids these days and their strange lifestyles, modern humans managed to survive and propagate for thousands of years without Facebook, and if the entire company was burnt to the ground tomorrow, I'm sure we'd adapt. It's only a "problem" because many people seem to think they absolutely must follow the cutting edge of hot social trends, like staring at your smartphone all day instead of talking to actual people face-to-face, or else risk being uncool and out-of-touch. Those of us who were always uncool and out-of-touch just roll our eyes when we're told this is such an essential part of their lives that they can't possibly give it up.
I know several people working in journalism who are as part of their job forced to maintain a social media presence and nowadays it is often the only way to even reliably contact or communicate with sources.
Not to mention that even more fundamental aspects like dating are increasingly moving onto digital platforms. So yes, for many people social media presence is part of their job, and for many young people it is increasingly becoming the primary gateway to maintaining social relations.