Facebook has two ways to disable your account. One is reversible and the other is permanent.
You can deactivate an account and then later reactivate it. While it’s deactivated, people can’t see your timeline or search for you, though some information, such as messages you sent, may still be visible.
If you delete your account, it’s gone forever and can not be reactivated. Facebook says that they “delay deletion a few days after it’s requested” and that a deletion request is canceled if you log back into your account during that period. They further say that it can take up to 90 days to delete data stored in backup systems.
To deactivate an account (with option to reactivate later)
- Click on the down arrow at top left of any page
- Select Settings
- Click in the general tab in left column
- Select Manage Account
- Scroll down to Deactivate your account
- Click Decativate your account
- You are then required to enter your password
To permanently close your account
You need to click here to notify Facebook of your intention to close your account and then select Delete My Account
