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Original poster

To find social media toxic

22 replies

Lillycoo222 · 25/03/2023 23:23

I use Facebook, Instagram and MN. I very rarely use Instagram, mainly to browse. But I've found it's becoming so incredibly toxic. Some weekends when I have nothing planned and I see other people out and very busy with their many friends, it makes me feel very lonely and unloved almost. Same with pictures of how to lose weight and be this/that. I just can't cope with it anymore, feel like it consumes too many parts of our life being online all the time. Anyone else feel the same?

OP posts:

vodkaredbullgirl · 25/03/2023 23:27

Nope but then I'm old

vodkaredbullgirl · 25/03/2023 23:29

Why don't you step away from SM?

ChrisPPancake · 26/03/2023 00:16

Nope.

frozendaisy · 26/03/2023 04:52

Becoming? toxic.

It always was.

Social media posts are there to make the poster feel superior over others.

Clearly works on you.

Delete the lot you will feel better.

Wedoronron · 26/03/2023 04:54

I came of Facebook and Twitter (never been on the others) completely. Don't miss it at all!

UsingChangeofName · 26/03/2023 05:45

No, I don't, but then I only follow family and friends - you know, people I like. I am pleased to see X has been for a lovely day out, or Y has been on holiday or Z has found a new place for a nice meal. Because they are my friends / people I like.

Ttwinkletoes · 26/03/2023 06:00

I wish it wasn’t given such credence. I found fb made me anxious - sometimes worrying that I hadn’t been enthused enough in my comments, no one seemed to read my Twitter comments (I’ve probably only made 20 in total). So I am only on MN. And family and friends WhatsApp.
im in my 60s as are most of my friends and nobody much is on anything. But eg G Lineker posts something and it’s treated like Moses’ latest commandment.
No - it’s just one person’s view- let it go.

But the Beeb, Gov etc have to get their knickers in a twist. But it’s one guys opinion. Without all the hooha me and a large proportion of the population would not have heard about what he said.

In a few days we’d all have moved onto something else. Just ignore comments you don’t agree with.

EddieSteady · 26/03/2023 06:03

I gave up FB, IG and Twitter years ago. I dip in and out of MN, I'll be on a lot for a week or 2 then delete my account and not return for a year or so.

I think it is toxic for a lot of people. It is for me. But I don’t think it effects everybody that way.

GoodChat · 26/03/2023 06:07

I only have people on my Instagram and Facebook that I actually know and like, so it's nice to see them doing nice things and I don't feel like it's a competition.

Maybe have a sort through your friends lists and only keep people you actually care about.

jaceex · 26/03/2023 06:10

Any accounts that make you feel this way you should instantly unfollow/secretly mute and don't look back, even if they're a close friend. People are all different via social media and some people I love in person I really don't like via social media, so I just mute them. I also have experienced the same feelings on quiet days where I see others having the 'best time' with their friends and it leads to comparing lives and relationships etc. much happier when I just don't follow certain people! If that doesn't help though I would just get rid of it entirely as life is too short and social media absolutely is toxic and if doesn't make you happy you should step away x

Chickenkeev · 26/03/2023 07:57

I don't do Insta, I have FB. I don't find it toxic as i only follow groups that are supportive. Tbh it's gotten me though my worst times. It's all about filtering, same as normal life, you find your tribe etc and don't hang out with dickheads etc.

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/03/2023 08:01

If you are drinking poison, put the glass down.

SM is as toxic as you allow it to be.

MintJulia · 26/03/2023 08:04

No. But I don't really care what other people think or what they are doing.

When my weekend comes, I'm focused on what ds and I want to do.

If I get to spring and discover my summer clothes are tight, I go running an extra evening a week, cut out sugar and get on with life.

Why do you worry about what other people think. They are irrelevant to your happiness. Stop looking if it makes you feel that way.

carriedout · 26/03/2023 08:05

It is proven to be damaging, yes. It increases loneliness, unhappiness and body image issues. Not every individual is harmed by it but the academic research into it is well-established and verified.

The extent to which you use it is in your control, so switch it off.

CreationNat1on · 26/03/2023 08:06

Comparison is the thief of joy. Cut it out, the comparison and the SM.

WaggyTailsWetNoses · 26/03/2023 08:14

Don’t forget social media is completely optional in life. It’s of course designed to be compulsive, but we always have a choice. Its purpose for the consumer, by and large, is entertainment. If it’s not entertaining you, simply switch it off, or at least change the channel. Like we did when there was nothing on TV in the olden days. Social media companies, politicians and the media make out it’s a much bigger deal than that. And on a societal level it probably is. But as an individual consumer, you can simple make a choice to consume something entertaining that works better for you (like books, gardening, religion, running, whatever).

Lydiahateswashing · 26/03/2023 08:16

Come off it. Best thing I did in 2022!

purpledalmation · 26/03/2023 08:18

I only have genuine friends on Facebook. Instagram and that echo chamber twitter are binned. Mumsnet is a diversion when I have time. If people piss me off I block immediately

MichelleScarn · 26/03/2023 08:19

UsingChangeofName · 26/03/2023 05:45

Agree I don't understand the rage people get with regards to other people's sm. There was a thread recently with op moaning about a friend 'how dare they' post pics of a holiday..etc.
Sm is optional you choose who to see and when, so any 'toxicity'is on you.

swayingpalmtree · 26/03/2023 08:21

Its not "toxic" to post photos of you going about your life which may involve time with friends etc. If you interpret that as toxic then why are you looking at it? I'm getting really tired of all the complaints about social media from people who say they hate it it and yet are fully engaging in it and spending time on it. Why? If something bothers you then disconnect from it. Noone is forcing you to be a part of it or to look at it. The thoughts in your head about being lonely and comparing yourself to others are entirely your responsibility- change your thoughts and then your feelings will follow suit. Stop purposely engaging in an activity that clearly makes you feel like shit.

Rubbishsleepdotcm · 26/03/2023 08:31

I've just deleted my Twitter account.

I love Instagram but my profile is on private and I only follow my real life friends and industry related content. I use it to look back on the things I've done as I had terrible PND and had to SEE the things I achieved.

I hate Facebook. And I don't use it but I've kept Messenger. My mums age group LOVE Facebook and its usually toxic because they're all competing for "likes" and openly discuss this who "liked" what post.

My mum often starts a phone call with "XX put a post on and....."

Other than that - I'm happy to see people having a good time!

rookiemere · 26/03/2023 08:43

I quite like FB, but then I'm mostly friends with relatives from abroad and active in some groups that I have an interest in like Kettlewell clothes.
I haven't seen much toxic there, sadly because I'd love a bit of third hand drama.

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