Since I wrote my post about the “internet icks,” which talks about how social media is increasingly infiltrating our thought patterns both online and off, I’ve heard from so many people who have been experiencing the same thing. In addition to a ton of people saying that Tiktok diagnosed them with ADHD (and other things), I’ve also heard from pregnant people who were fed a steady stream of birth horror stories on Instagram, someone who’s husband is going through chemotherapy having her feed suddenly flooded with widow content and people who moved from blue states to red states immediately seeing the politics on their FYP shift stance as well.
I've done all of this and found a few things I could revisit and keep tabs on, so thanks for sharing. I only use FB and IG, but I split them into two different zones. My FB is for friends, family, homeschool groups, and creating or finding local events. My IG is for the few real life people not on FB and everything else I like following...activism, nature and travel, bloggers or content creators, memes, authors, artists, musicians, etc. I was exhausted by social media after the 2016 election and 2020 was the breaking point to make my social media a safer space. It's such a happier place to be now on both platforms.
This was splendid! You provided a clear roadmap for those who need to rethink their relationship with all this. Will be sharing with my friends and family. Thanks for taking the time to thoughtfully “school” me! I am a retired educator who jumped on the Internet bandwagon in the early 90’s. My job became training teachers to use technology effectively as a teaching tool. I became a Google master trainer. I created websites for teachers. I taught students how to do podcasts before they became a “thing”! etc, etc! In the beginning it was benign. Now it is terrifying. Thankfully your words lend clarity on how to tame the beast. Kudos!
This has come along at such a pertinent time. Both of your posts actually. I am finding myself struggling with social media. It holds nothing for me anymore, yet I still find myself scrolling through, trying to feel something. I've deleted the apps off my phone for a while because I needed to. I'm hoping, when I come back, I can take control again, using your advice here.
I took your advice and have been more careful about who I follow and what I look at - way less young widow and terminally ill children content. Now I’m getting cute dog videos and RV tours which is better for my mental health.
Thank you for all the time and thought you put into this! I went into the article thinking, “I probably know what she is going to say,” but got WAY more out of it. So balanced, nonjudgmental, and helpful!
Another wonderful read! Thank you! This is exactly where I am in life in regards to figuring out social media. I took a 3 year break from all social media and have been on and off for the last year trying to figure out a balance.
Thanks for the ideas! Definitely going to give my Instagram feed a scrub. I have been annoyed to be getting content from the same people over and over. But I see now I am feeding the machine and I need to break the cycle.
What I’ve learned from this article: take a harder look at the accounts I feel guilty deleting. Maybe the real friends whom I’ve muted should instead be deleted. (BEC, anyone?? I’m sooo guilty of that and I don’t want to be that person.) Thanks for spending so much time on these two articles Ilana! You’re not alone in your frustration, and this article is really helpful.
This is very good advice! I miss the old Instagram when it was only people I followed. I need to remember ti set it to the Favorites feed more often. I also used to enjoy Pinterest but I never go there anymore because that main page it turned into so many videos and ads.
The timing of this post is perfect, and I see from the comments below that I’m not the only one who feels that way. Thank you for putting so much work into this, and for putting down our collective feelings in a concise and relatable way. I personally got drawn into a spiral of following accounts with children fighting cancer during my son’s own diagnosis and treatment. Even after my son went into remission I found myself being pulled into what felt like a vacuum of similar stories. My heart will always remain with my fellow cancer parents, but I had to take steps to avoid those accounts for my own healing.
How to Take Back Control of Your Social Media Feeds
Don’t scroll at night - such great advice! Def something I’m working on! I’m glad you pushed post on this one. Thanks for sharing.
I've done all of this and found a few things I could revisit and keep tabs on, so thanks for sharing. I only use FB and IG, but I split them into two different zones. My FB is for friends, family, homeschool groups, and creating or finding local events. My IG is for the few real life people not on FB and everything else I like following...activism, nature and travel, bloggers or content creators, memes, authors, artists, musicians, etc. I was exhausted by social media after the 2016 election and 2020 was the breaking point to make my social media a safer space. It's such a happier place to be now on both platforms.
Great article! Well done! I appreciate many if the points you made and I’m glad I’m not (and probably will never be) on TikTok.
This was splendid! You provided a clear roadmap for those who need to rethink their relationship with all this. Will be sharing with my friends and family. Thanks for taking the time to thoughtfully “school” me! I am a retired educator who jumped on the Internet bandwagon in the early 90’s. My job became training teachers to use technology effectively as a teaching tool. I became a Google master trainer. I created websites for teachers. I taught students how to do podcasts before they became a “thing”! etc, etc! In the beginning it was benign. Now it is terrifying. Thankfully your words lend clarity on how to tame the beast. Kudos!
Great article, thank you! Now I'm off to scrub my IG and follow some bodega cat accounts. 🐱
This has come along at such a pertinent time. Both of your posts actually. I am finding myself struggling with social media. It holds nothing for me anymore, yet I still find myself scrolling through, trying to feel something. I've deleted the apps off my phone for a while because I needed to. I'm hoping, when I come back, I can take control again, using your advice here.
Just had the best time unfollowing so many accounts on IG. Next up, FB.
Thank you for this series of doom-scroll articles & ways to remedy it.
I never read long posts, and I read every word of this! You gave me a lot to think about! Thank you!
I took your advice and have been more careful about who I follow and what I look at - way less young widow and terminally ill children content. Now I’m getting cute dog videos and RV tours which is better for my mental health.
Thank you for all the time and thought you put into this! I went into the article thinking, “I probably know what she is going to say,” but got WAY more out of it. So balanced, nonjudgmental, and helpful!
Such a well thought out couple of articles. Have given me lots to think about and already started modifying Instagram
Another wonderful read! Thank you! This is exactly where I am in life in regards to figuring out social media. I took a 3 year break from all social media and have been on and off for the last year trying to figure out a balance.
Thanks for the ideas! Definitely going to give my Instagram feed a scrub. I have been annoyed to be getting content from the same people over and over. But I see now I am feeding the machine and I need to break the cycle.
What I’ve learned from this article: take a harder look at the accounts I feel guilty deleting. Maybe the real friends whom I’ve muted should instead be deleted. (BEC, anyone?? I’m sooo guilty of that and I don’t want to be that person.) Thanks for spending so much time on these two articles Ilana! You’re not alone in your frustration, and this article is really helpful.
This is very good advice! I miss the old Instagram when it was only people I followed. I need to remember ti set it to the Favorites feed more often. I also used to enjoy Pinterest but I never go there anymore because that main page it turned into so many videos and ads.
The timing of this post is perfect, and I see from the comments below that I’m not the only one who feels that way. Thank you for putting so much work into this, and for putting down our collective feelings in a concise and relatable way. I personally got drawn into a spiral of following accounts with children fighting cancer during my son’s own diagnosis and treatment. Even after my son went into remission I found myself being pulled into what felt like a vacuum of similar stories. My heart will always remain with my fellow cancer parents, but I had to take steps to avoid those accounts for my own healing.