To delete all social media

how did you transition away from FB Messenger? did you just reach out to all your contacts on there and exchange details?

I only follow inspiring accounts on Instagram. A lot of the stuff is about travel - not insta travel but organisations so I’m still happy with it.
I only pop into X every now and again to see what’s going on but it’s pretty awful and am happy without it.

I no longer have instagram or X but have kept FB mainly for school/extra curricular groups and activities. I don’t post anything to a personal account though as I exchange news and updates with friends and relatives via WhatsApp groups so don’t really see the point. All feels a bit competitive and I’m really not bothered by what other people are up to. Plus, I’m pretty sure very few people are genuinely interested in what’s going on for me either! Still have Mumsnet obviously!

Go for it. I haven't logged into my social media for ages. I feel better. Your not missing anything. Just a load of adverts and people thinking they are little stars and needing validation.

Exactly this.

My life is remarkably better without social media. No more comparisons to others or waiting for validation with every like or story view, which I noticed was quite bad before. Anyone important can message or WhatsApp me!

If it's not making you happy then you should. I made a decision a while back that I wanted to follow different interests on instagram and post about my boring old hobbies/ interests without boring my friends so I now have lots of different insta accounts based on different things eg, we are doing a big home renovation and sharing that account with other home reno accounts and following others for inspiration waa great. I love looking back on where we started, it's basically a photo diary.

I don't have social media at all....no Instagram, no Facebook, no LinkedIn, no Twitter (X) etc.
In fact I try to have as little as possible online.
I use Mumsnet sparingly, and only WhatsApp family (siblings, adult children, close friends)...no groups.

No I don't miss out. No-one to compare myself with or 'like' or 'dislike'. Not interested in anyone's updates. If I want to catch up with friends and family I 'phone them and have a good old chat....or even catch up personally over a coffee.

If I need information I use the laptop and go directly to a website (eg. booking a hotel, looking up medical research). I don't follow any so-called influencers, don't bother with reviews or comparison sites, don't watch endless YouTube videos.

I can't imagine how other people have all the free time for this stuff, I'm far too busy enjoying life and y'know, meeting real people in real life...!

Delete the app. Improve discipline by respecting who you see in the mirror. Then delete anyone that doesn't respect your self loving soul 😘

Went no social media a year ago. First couple of weeks it felt like my hands were programmed to find the social media apps, but after that never worried about it again.

I did this a 15 years ago (albeit back then, it was only Facebook), and never felt out the loop or looked back. Best idea ever.

I'd recommend doing a 3 phase cull:

1- Delete EVERYONE you don't know personally (Sally from my year 9 history class, or Barry your neighbour from 6 years ago for example).

2 - Message friends in your wider circle you'd perhaps like to stay in touch with and pass them your email add or phone number.

3 - Message friends and family, tell them what you're doing and how best it is to contact you - and that you'll be messaging/ calling more to keep in touch.

Worked well for me.

Is WhatsApp social media? Well, I message friends and family there and probably know more about their lives than if I did see their posts on whatever. We do voice notes more and I randomly call/schedule a call more. I also don't keep in touch with randoms, because why would I!?

I only have a few older family members in thier is/90s and friends I dont see very often on Facebook as they.like to know what.I am soingTbh it's not a lot.FB is also useful to find out about local events, carboots and table top sales etc
I quite like Instagram as it's just a snapshot with limited dialogue.
I find Social media can be used by bullies and people just generally sticking thier nose in.Keep it simple and purge your contacts and lead abetter life.

It is life changing 🙏.

I use MN. I see this quite differently though.

I have a somewhat anonymous account on FB which is for various health groups. I have a slightly different name,no picture, no profile info and no friends. I refuse. My friends know I am here always via WhatsApp, or in person.

I never have to deal with the psychological stress of seeing friends do or say things and feeling confused, sometimes played, not knowing if I should 'like' or if I shouldn't. Not dealing with the soulless knowing that a like is a lazy empty gesture of pointlessness. There's so so much more I could say here.

Every conversation and meet up is much more important with depth and detail because I don't engage in any of that crap. I stopped and came away about 4 years ago.

Social Media is making us more and more detached and disconnected despite seeming to connect.

I also feel very proud of myself for standing alone in the crowd and not being bullied or swayed by anyone on this.

Try it.

SM has been one of, if not THE most damaging forms of "entertainment" ever devised. It's utterly toxic. An entire generation of children/young adults now have a 30 second attention span. The use of filters has quite literally altered their perception of reality. If it doesn't look beautiful enough, change the contrast, if you don't look pretty enough, use a filter, not thin enough, use an app to edit the picture. Reality pales in comparison.
There's even (I can't believe this) apps that give you the appearance of having Down's Syndrome, women are out there posting Gym selfie and passing themselves off as Down's, for likes!

I wouldn't just delete SM, it should be banned.

If smartphones were invented today, they would be banned, parents would be starting petitions, school leaders would be on the six o' clock news saying how it will become impossible to teach with the constant distraction and withdrawal anxieties. But instead, parents are buying them for their seven year old kids!

I was talking about in general. Obviously there will be individual differences in how people use it. I have hardly been on there and that was just my first impression of it that's all.

Best thing I ever did! About 6 years now and no regrets

Hi, I deleted all my social media accounts apart from Instagram 2 years ago and it's the best thing I've done in a long time 🙂

In my opinion, it definitely helps. I'm not staring at my phone when I should be outside and enjoying time with the people actually in my life who I love. I feel a lot better and healthier because I'm getting more sun too. I'm not spending my money on crap that looks cool and my family is actually following suit. I love it. Definitely worth at least taking a break.

It is absolutely liberating! I did it in Feb and no i don't miss it!

It's still social media: you are connecting socially with others online. Doesn't matter if you know/don't know them.

It really isn’t. None of us knows who anyone is on here, so it’s not a way of connecting with people we know, seeing what they’re up to, liking or commenting on their graduation photos or holiday pictures or new puppy or whatever.

I don't use Facebook, any of the stuff attached to it or any other SM where you use your own name. I use MN, Reddit and Digital Spy as they are anonymous forums.

Instagram is whatever you make it, but my impression is that it’s where most arts organisations etc now do the flagging of upcoming stuff, current programmes, booking open for X type stuff that used to be on FB. That’s why I use it. I only follow cultural organisations, local theatres, arthouse cinema, festivals, book events on it. I have a pleasant, not not overly big feed of upcoming events, exhibitions, films etc when I go on to it. It’s a pleasant way of keeping abreast of things I like doing. Not a ‘brag’ in sight.

MN is totally social media!

Instagram is whatever you make it, but my impression is that it’s where most arts organisations etc now do the flagging of upcoming stuff, current programmes, booking open for X type stuff that used to be on FB. That’s why I use it. I only follow cultural organisations, local theatres, arthouse cinema, festivals, book events on it. I have a pleasant, not not overly big feed of upcoming events, exhibitions, films etc when I go on to it. It’s a pleasant way of keeping abreast of things I like doing. Not a ‘brag’ in sight.