Should I Delete Instagram?

[Anonymous]

It’s kind of boring IMO. I just get reels from influencers and social media personalities.

Is it trying to be more like TikTok?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only started using Instagram when my teens’ sports team posts schedule on Instagram. I only use it for one team.
I have zero need to look at anything else on that platform.

So just don’t use it anymore, unless you have to.

I deactivated Instagram and log back in when my kids sports/activity is busy. I wish I could delete it entirely because I cannot control myself like the PP above. It annoys me that it is the official form of kid-related communication.

This is the issue. And I'm very empathetic to this problem because I was like this for years -- I couldn't stop myself from getting sucked into it and looking at accounts I knew would make me feel bad about myself.

I have deleted it from my phone more times than I can count and overhauled my account (unfollowing or muting people and making my account private and removing people from my followers list to make my presence more private). It took me years to get to the point I'm at now where I truly don't go on it compulsively and when I do go on it I don't engage in behavior that will make me feel bad. I do not keep any social media on my phone at all.

I think social media is like alcohol and some people are just more predisposed to becoming addicted to it and struggling with it. That's how I feel -- like it just affects me in a different way to how it affects other people and I have trouble with it in a way others don't. It's very hard though because as others have said sometimes you aren't given a ton of choice. Instagram is how my kid's teachers and school communicate a lot of stuff going on at school and also one of her activities uses instagram to inform parents of opportunities that it would be really sad for my kid to miss out on. I also have a couple family members who I am basically only connected to via Instagram. But I guess this is kind of like alcohol too -- so many social events revolve around alcohol.

If there were twelve step meetings for social media addiction I would go.

[Anonymous]

I deleted my public account, and started a new private account with only 25 followers (good friends and family). So I see a few personal accounts, plus dogs/animals, pottery, sewing, and recipes. It is a nice, relaxing experience.

[Anonymous]

yes of course!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only started using Instagram when my teens’ sports team posts schedule on Instagram. I only use it for one team.
I have zero need to look at anything else on that platform.

So just don’t use it anymore, unless you have to.

I deactivated Instagram and log back in when my kids sports/activity is busy. I wish I could delete it entirely because I cannot control myself like the PP above. It annoys me that it is the official form of kid-related communication.

This is the issue. And I'm very empathetic to this problem because I was like this for years -- I couldn't stop myself from getting sucked into it and looking at accounts I knew would make me feel bad about myself.

I have deleted it from my phone more times than I can count and overhauled my account (unfollowing or muting people and making my account private and removing people from my followers list to make my presence more private). It took me years to get to the point I'm at now where I truly don't go on it compulsively and when I do go on it I don't engage in behavior that will make me feel bad. I do not keep any social media on my phone at all.

I think social media is like alcohol and some people are just more predisposed to becoming addicted to it and struggling with it. That's how I feel -- like it just affects me in a different way to how it affects other people and I have trouble with it in a way others don't. It's very hard though because as others have said sometimes you aren't given a ton of choice. Instagram is how my kid's teachers and school communicate a lot of stuff going on at school and also one of her activities uses instagram to inform parents of opportunities that it would be really sad for my kid to miss out on. I also have a couple family members who I am basically only connected to via Instagram. But I guess this is kind of like alcohol too -- so many social events revolve around alcohol.

If there were twelve step meetings for social media addiction I would go.

Yes, I also got a little sucked in, deactivated... and then like a year later reengaged much more "deliberately"--well, if "deliberately" means just following the accounts of pet rescuers, gardeners, bookstores, illustrators, and random people that for some reason have decided to restore crumbling manor houses in England/Scotland. I basically deleted all celebrity accounts, political accounts and fashion ones--because even if they aren't bad themselves, they "attract" crap to your feed.

So now I don't dislike Instagram because it makes me feel bad--but dislike it because it is such a nice, comforting serotonin-drip that it can become a terrible time suck! I guess I may have to delete now because it makes me feel good!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I follow artists and photographers and like it a lot.

Same, Instagram is actually my favorite.

Animals, artists, photography, it's actually my calm/happy place.

I do wish it were still just still photos, no video, though.

[Anonymous]

It’s how you use it.

I follow sites related to travel, home decorating, and lifestyle…plus some celebs.

I use FB to post my own stuff (mostly kid pics and travel pics). That’s where I connect with family and friends.

I will never understand the haters who think any nice family photo or vacation pic is posted with malicious intent—to brag or rub your face in it. And the criticism that social media is “heavily curated” is just dumb. Um, yeah…of course people post the good pics from good times (birthdays, celebrations, vacations, etc.).
If this bugs you, then social media isn’t for you—unless you limit it to following travel, celebs, whatever hobbies/interests you have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For anyone out there that deleted Instagram, did you find yourself feeling better about yourself and your overall life?

Like so many others, I joined instagram way back in 2014 when it was a fairly basic photo sharing platform. Since then, it's gotten worse and worse, and it's at the point now that I find nothing about it positive or inspiring. It seems to be nothing but people showing a small snapshots of events, but curating it to appear is if their lives are perfect. Vacations, new cars, home renovations, this list goes on. I recently read that it's the most toxic social media platform, and I'm really seeing why.

It's only been 10 years for you, why not give it another decade and then decide?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m obsessed with dogs, so my feed is mostly cute dog videos and silly animals of penguins slipping on ice and seals sticking out their tongues.

Your feed is based on what you look at and who you follow, so you could try and follow more wholesome pages and then the few people you care to follow.

Or take a 30 day break and see how you feel.

Instagram is the only social media I use, my account is for my dog and I only follow other pets, and have a thirty minute per day limit. Works for me.

[Anonymous]

I hate IG because of the algorithm. I *want* to see my friends' photos. I only follow people I really care about . . . Facebook is where I'm friends with every person I ever met.

When I get on IG I immediately select "Friends" or "Favorites" to avoid the endless reels that are trying to redirect my attention.

This sums up how I feel: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/08/instagram-friends-photos-videos/679341/

[Anonymous]

I use an app called one sec that simply slows down when I open the app. It’s enough to make me aware of how many times I mindlessly open it. I also can block the app so I can only use it for a little bit every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m obsessed with dogs, so my feed is mostly cute dog videos and silly animals of penguins slipping on ice and seals sticking out their tongues.

Your feed is based on what you look at and who you follow, so you could try and follow more wholesome pages and then the few people you care to follow.

Or take a 30 day break and see how you feel.

Instagram is the only social media I use, my account is for my dog and I only follow other pets, and have a thirty minute per day limit. Works for me.

Wut?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I use an app called one sec that simply slows down when I open the app. It’s enough to make me aware of how many times I mindlessly open it. I also can block the app so I can only use it for a little bit every day.

OR you could just be self aware and exercise self control.

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe how much my life has improved since I went Instagram sober. I took forever to do it bc those addicted to Instagram or those who felt FOMO or jealousy or just whatever people say about the platform—that just wasn’t my experience. So it took a while to identify this vague “ick” feeling in me as associated with instagram.

I’ve done a lot of unpacking as to why which I won’t go on about here but yes I am a normal person who used it normally and my life is noticeably better

[Anonymous]

If it causes negative reactions in your life, then absolutely! I’ve solved the problem by unfollowing anyone that created a negative reaction for me (either they annoyed me or I found that I was “hate watching” their posts) so now I see a few things from people I know and love and sometimes I mindlessly scroll through random videos. If that doesn’t work for you, definitely delete it. I have gone through periods where I don’t look at it at all. I promise you’ll survive!