Why did I quit social media?

Individuals use social media to connect and communicate with their friends, family, and communities; however, these platforms have evolved to be much more. They have emerged as the new marketplace thanks to the growth of digital marketing and online enterprises. Using social media, one can communicate, earn, and be entertained. It is estimated that there are 3.96 billion social media users worldwide in 2022, an increase from 3.6 billion in 2020. In 2025, this figure is projected to rise to 4.41 billion.

There’s no denying that social media has become a powerful force. It has made our life so much simpler than we wonder if we’ll even survive without them. Nonetheless, it has also done harm to the way how individuals consume it. Many people struggle with social comparison, sleep deprivation, and emotional effects due to excessive use of social media. But for me, it became a source of procrastination and a waste of my time.

First and foremost, social media became the biggest distraction for me. I couldn’t focus on my tasks, and the work kept pushing further and further. Even if I did unlock my phone to make a call, I would automatically log on (to either Facebook or Twitter) and get lost in the joy of scrolling. In a day, I spent around four hours on just three social networks: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, excluding my time on YouTube.

As I don’t have a Tiktok account, I thought I was safe and sound from the fast-paced video trap, but with Instagram pushing reels and YouTube with its shorts, I was also hooked on the video scrolling content. With each passing day, I was sucked more and more inside the social media bubble. Realizing my situation, I understood that it was not just a minor problem; the addiction was real!

Since I should be taking control of my life and not social media, I felt that I had to act. Hence, I turned it off! I logged out of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and promised myself to take upon the challenge of not using them for a month. Not to mention, I was still using YouTube and other messaging apps because, in this day and age, you cannot stay entirely detached from the internet.

It was difficult to cope as they had already been a part of my daily routine. Many youths like me get their daily dose of news through social media. The first thing I did after waking up was open Facebook and check my friends’ daily news and updates. The second was Twitter, followed by Instagram, and then I began my day-to-day life. Starting and ending my day on social media was normal for me; once it went away, I was left with nothing to do. I unlocked my phone, and the first thing my fingers did was click on the Facebook icon, but since it was not there, I was baffled. It continued for a few days till I got the hang of it.

With a lot more time, I was able to divert my focus to work and things that were important to me. Delayed tasks were completed one by one, and with the remaining time, I was able to watch a movie or read something fun. Moreover, my focus was on peak, and I felt more productive than ever. Within the first few weeks, I realized that social media had an enormous influence than we imagined, and there are always alternatives for everything. After completing the challenge, it is safe to say that taking control of your life feels great. Now, I can utilize social media networks responsibly and within the time constraints, I established for myself.

To sum it up, social media can be a blessing if used appropriately and on time. It is a school of knowledge, a pool of opportunities, a thread of connection, and a voice of the voiceless. Depending on how you perceive the platform, you can decide whether you want to use it to your advantage or become a victim. Even though it can be tempting, limiting the use of technology as a whole is beneficial to your mind as well as your body.