Stop Sending Chain Letters

By Ellie Drabnis on April 24, 2018

Chain letters are something created by very sad [individuals] with nothing better to do.

These so-called ‘chain letters’ became rather popular in the early to mid-2000s. The original messages within chain letters often threatened bad luck or worse if they were not sent to the suggested amount of people.

It was thought that chain letters faded into the abyss as though they were a missing piece of millennial childhood. Rightfully so, at that.

However, we were wrong. Many of our parents or older acquaintances who now use Facebook find now-friendly chain letters wishing luck and happiness to be ‘adorable’.

The new-age chain letters are typically sent via Facebook messenger. In the odd case, chain letters may also appear on some people’s Instagram chats.

Even so, getting some message crying about ‘send this to 10 people including me or I won’t feel loved’ is ridiculous. Sending a message with a gif in the middle of glitching or photoshopped cartoon should never be an affirmation of love or friendship.

It is not 2007 anymore: please stop sending chain letters. Here are some reasons as to why chain letters should be buried in the past.

STOP SENDING CHAIN LETTERS
(https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-computer-keyboard-247780/)

 

1. They are an Annoyance and Distraction All-in-One

Back in the day, chain letters might’ve been seen as ‘cool’ at times but, now?

Now they’re annoying and distracting.

If I am on Facebook, I am curious to see what my friends are up to. That is the main reason behind social media.

I can guarantee that NO ONE is on their social media profiles expecting a copied and pasted group message asking to be sent to everyone as humanly possible. That is asking too much and, that’s just a way to lose friends.

A screenshot of a chain letter message I received. It is urging to give ‘kisses’ to friends and, while I was going to stay on Facebook, I logged off. The identity of the FB friend has been crossed out.
(personal screenshot, taken on iPad and edited with screenshot iPad editor)

Many Facebook users more play games on the site and, why should anyone interrupt their fun?

If you really must message them, do so. But, not with a lengthy chain letter.

2. Childish All Around

As previously mentioned, chain letters were at their pique of popularity during the childhoods of us millennials. Even we think they’re immature at this point in time.

So, why keep forcing such a thing on people?

It is the present, the future can be bright but, we need to leave the past in the past.
(https://www.pexels.com/photo/abstract-alphabet-arrangement-away-459846/)

Leave the past in the past, please.

3. Very unnecessary

Is sending a lengthy message no one wants to read really the only way you can think of making communication?

If that’s the case, delete your Messenger app or log off Facebook.

There is nothing wrong with checking up on your friends. In fact, it’s a sign of a strong friendship.

But, sending a message reading “What’s up?” is much more efficient than one that says, “Here is an overly long message about how much I love you and how you have to send it to ten people or else we’re not actually friends or anything.”

Really, any type of message save for a chain letter is the best route.
(https://www.pexels.com/photo/accounting-apps-bookkeeper-business-273691/)

No one’s day is possibly improved or brightened by a message urging them to re-send it to more people.

Seriously: stop sending chain letters.

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