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Original poster

For those that deactivated their SM accounts, did it help your mental health?

67 replies

jamrolypolyandcustard · 05/03/2023 19:50

Mumsnet can vouch that I'm not a news outlet looking for a Monday morning news story.

Lately I've been toying with the idea of deactivating social media (and just using Facebook for my DS school chat and school updates - due to my "profession" I have it my first and made up middle name so no one would guess it and I haven't friend requested anyone either or vice versa)

Particularly after having my DS, I had awful PND and found SM very triggering that others who just had a baby "seemed to have it all" whilst I was struggling so much. Now it's all ad this and aff that and I just find it draining I guess and a trigger if I have been having a bad day.

For anyone that has deactivated SM, what benefits did it bring? Did it help your mental health at all?

I use Instagram which I just wish would cut the bullshit and stop showing me accounts that have endless gifted this and that 😂

Just read all this and I'm sorry it just seems as though all I'm doing is rambling on 😅

OP posts:
QueefQueen80s · 05/03/2023 21:01

Yes I did for years and it was amazing. Mentally freeing! I'm in a stronger happier place now so been back on a while, can limit my use, not compare my life etc.

Hawkins003 · 05/03/2023 21:03

I prefer mumsnet as no bots or mostly, and minimal trolls,

dubyalass · 05/03/2023 21:04

Yes definitely. Got rid of FB and Twitter and don't miss them at all. Still on Instagram but only for craft stuff. Not on tiktok. It's great, I'll never go back.

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MoneyInTheBananaStand · 05/03/2023 21:06

I unfollowed everyone I know on Facebook during Covid. Did nothing for my mental health at all and since then I've not missed it.

I kept it active though as I use it for hobby stuff & people use it to invite to events

Mainly on IG nowadays. Much much less of the ill informed political ranting and I like looking at people's pics. I use it a lot less than I did Facebook.

Chat1354 · 05/03/2023 21:08

I deleted them all about 4 years ago and that’s why I like using Mumsnet - it’s the one place I enjoy using when I want some company out there in the wider world. I don’t find it addictive like the other SM sites and it’s anonymous so lots of benefits there too. I’ve been on here about 14 years under different usernames.

I deleted FB and Twitter and was never on any of the others. I have an account on LinkedIn in case I ever need it for a potential employer wanting to
look me up but I don’t use it beyond updating my CV on there.

Aftjbtibg · 05/03/2023 21:10

I found that stopping any notifications on them helped as then I only went on when I chose to rather than being “pulled in”. I also find that at times of stress it’s good to deactivate as I’ll find myself on them rather than doing what I actually need to do. I mainly missed Facebook for looking up local businesses and events. It really made me realise that the people who I’m bothered about message me with life events and I’m not fussed by the others I see on there

NomadicSpirit · 05/03/2023 21:11

Yes. Deleted Facebook years ago. I used Twitter briefly and don't have any other social media apart from this place and that's under review.

At first, I'll admit I felt a bit like I was missing out and lonely, but I got over it and don't miss looking at people's breakfasts or holidays and feeling I need to comment. Also don't miss playing Farmville and all the other nonsense I did. I feel a lot better for it and have more free time.

It's been shown many times in many studies that people who use social media have worse mental health than those who don't. I've no intentions of ever going back to anything like that.

NomadicSpirit · 05/03/2023 21:13

Aftjbtibg · 05/03/2023 21:10

I found that stopping any notifications on them helped as then I only went on when I chose to rather than being “pulled in”. I also find that at times of stress it’s good to deactivate as I’ll find myself on them rather than doing what I actually need to do. I mainly missed Facebook for looking up local businesses and events. It really made me realise that the people who I’m bothered about message me with life events and I’m not fussed by the others I see on there

Actually, I've got a blank Facebook profile in a false name that I use for the local village Facebook page. I check that once a month when and if I remember.

AmandaJonah · 05/03/2023 21:20

I deleted my profile on MN for a few years. It made me less judgemental.

Fabled · 05/03/2023 21:23

Came off it years ago and it definitely improved my mental health.

Things like FB and Insta just seem bizarre to me now. Can’t believe I used to post family photos and witter on about my life. I value my privacy too much these days. And can’t believe the absolute crap load of useless information I scrolled through, all the updates and photos from my social media ‘friends’ that it turns out I really can life without Grin.

Life is just a lot more relaxing without it.

Wantanytoastwiththat · 05/03/2023 21:29

Apart from mumsnet I deleted all my SM accounts years ago. So glad I did. Life is so much better without it.

AnotherSpare · 05/03/2023 21:34

I don't use facebook anymore but I still have it. Stupid as it sounds, the only reason I have kept it is so I can check that no one has published photos of me without my permission. I have several friends who take photos constantly, everywhere. I always ask for no photos of me to go online, I'm very careful with my privacy, but sometimes friends "forget" I've asked and add the photos anyway. So after a night out I always feel the need to check. Otherwise I'd delete the stupid website!
Instagram, I still have it but I only follow home decor/house renovations/etc, no friends or celebs.
Definitely feel a lot happier than I'm not constantly seeing people's holidays, kids, dinners, etc.

autumnboys · 05/03/2023 21:35

I stopped looking at FB last autumn for quite a long time and Instagram too. It really helped with a specific thing I was struggling with.

I look a bit more now, but I’ve left some groups and liberally hidden people that I like but can’t deal with at the moment. FB has definitely lost it hold for me, I would get off it altogether if it wasn’t that it is a good source of info on another specific issue for one of my children.

pawprintseverywhere · 05/03/2023 21:35

Yesssss

reginaphallange · 05/03/2023 21:42

I often think I will delete it but I never do. I find it really tough at weekends and school holidays when I see other families having amazing days out or going on fancy holidays. We don't do that and it always makes me feel like a shit mum and pressured to do more with dc. I find myself posting on social media when we do manage to do things just to prove to people that we are a great wholesome family too. It's pathetic. Some people compete over money and houses and cars on social media but for me it's always the days out and the family holidays that make me feel inadequate.

But I do find it useful and inspiring in other ways. I find out about jobs and local events via social media. I enjoy our library's Facebook page because they post a lot of fun things and advertise events that I probably wouldn't hear about otherwise. I follow a lot of art, yoga and poetry accounts on Instagram that inspire me. And I always come to good old MN for advice or a rant. I find it helps me to feel less lonely in what can be a very insular life as a parent of young dc.

So I guess the good outweighs the bad for me.

Godlovesall26 · 05/03/2023 21:57

Fundays12 · 05/03/2023 20:28

I deactivated mine for a couple of weeks recently and enjoyed it but did have to go back on it for certain things I am. However don't really look though it now as it broke the habit

Yes same, a short break can be a good compromise, but like you I also need it.
It did help.
And a PP mentioned deactivating notifications except those you’re actually interested in.

missingthesunshine · 05/03/2023 21:59

I deleted my fb account and it did me the world of good but curiosity made me create a fake one just to carry on stalking people from time to time.

QuirkyBuffy · 05/03/2023 22:10

Also quit FB 10 years ago. I’ve never looked back. I was on it constantly. It made me feel shitty. I feel like I’ve never missed it. I don’t do Instagram or TikTok or LinkedIn. The only DM I use is WhatsApp (turned off red receipts and last seen though) and Mumsnet.
My DS16 also does not use much SM compared to his friends.

Saturday82 · 05/03/2023 22:40

I deleted all my social media at least 5+ years ago - I don't miss it.

I did join linkedin a few months ago though rarely check it.

I use whatsapp to communicate with friends. I do have a meetup profile too, though don't check it often.

I use mumsnet and reddit anonymously when bored.

sofakingcool · 05/03/2023 23:06

Yes I did- it was great! I started off unfollowing certain people, then decided to take a break. Very liberating

Sweetener12 · 06/03/2023 06:46

I don't have them deactivated but I don't have much desire do go there often either. Close friends and family are the only ones I have on Facebook, and platforms like TikTok and Instagram are mostly for hobbies inspiration, and I don't post on there a lot, maybe just some particulary great Photoglory before and afters occasionally, as I colorize old family photos and sometimes I'm so proud of my work I'd post it on my very closed Facebook. I don't follow musician updates or fan communities accounts like I used to pre-covid, it just feels like a waste of time now. When the new music comes, it comes.

CanIusethisnameplease · 06/03/2023 06:55

You have inspired me

Facebook gone for a while …….

AviMav · 06/03/2023 06:58

I've got Facebook but the main reason I keep it is because it's full of memories, happy times and life before we filtered our pictures.

I don't really read others posts too often.
I follow a lot of holiday pages and read the tips and reviews on FB.

I love instragram and mainly use that.... again its about what you are following there's plenty of unrealistic things online but you don't have to engage OP.

megletthesecond · 06/03/2023 07:04

I have timers on twitter and Instagram. It focuses me to check what I actually want to look at and not scroll aimlessly.
Instagram is grim place IMO, full of toxic positivity. I only briefly check facebook but since they put newsfeeds put of order I can barely be bothered with it.

CornishTiger · 06/03/2023 07:12

Deleted Snapchat and tik tok the other day. LinkedIn and Twitter deactivated.
Insta will delete soon too.

Facebook will stay but taking it off phone for periods. Messenger will stay.

It does improve mental health when I’m off it.

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