Why I left social media.

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I've really found that since I joined Mastodon, my brain has changed. I suppose I used to be addicted to the constant notifications and the fast moving, constant cut and thrust of aggressive comments. You always have to get ready to defend yourself on big, corporate social media sites because any comment can be taken out of context and picked apart, argued about, made fun of.

But I got really tired of that a few years ago and I'm so glad I moved to Mastodon. There is no algorithm shoving arguments in my face there.

I joined last autumn when there was hardly anyone there. The local inhabitants there pointed out how traumatised the migrants from Twitter were and we all realised that we were. It took a while to relax and feel safe there. It was noticeable when a wave of bird-site people joined, they were all spoiling for a fight and took time to calm down. Some people have even complained that Mastodon is 'too nice' and stormed off in a huff.

Social media has affected our brains IMO and it's taking time to learn to converse politely again. Whenever I go back to Twitter it's noticeable how feisty everyone is, arguing with strangers, ranting and raving. It's too tiring for me.

Plus, every so often Facebook decides to vomit crappy alt-right memes in my face as it did today. I think it's looking for "engagement"?

A lot of what's being said here really resonates. I think many of us stuck around on social media longer than we wanted to, not because it was fulfilling, but because the platforms are literally built to pull us back in. It's not just about boredom or habit anymore; it's design-driven manipulation.

What surprised me recently is that there's actual legal movement happening around this. Some platforms are now facing scrutiny over the harm their features may be causing, especially to younger users. If anyone's curious, this page on social media harm and recall info digs into that side of things. Honestly, seeing it laid out like that gave me even more reason to stay away.

I can totally relate to the op, I have absolutely no current social media presence other than this forum nor do I have any emotional or mental need or desire to rejoin social media. People are often shallow, selfish, and/or many times toxic in one form or another when 'hidden' behind an online persona. Some become absolute evil when they feel hidden behind their online mask, and do say evil things to provoke whatever emotional and mental damage they can to others.

I tried facebook long ago when it was young and all the rage, and because my family all but forced me through guilt and constant pressure. It was ok at best, but in the end not for me. I would be pressured socially to add coworkers as friends, coworkers who would then bombard my feed with dozens of selfies each day. Other friends would get all grumpy with me for not responding to something they said, something that was almost always stupid but missed because of the many selfies that pushed it past my patience to begin with.

Eventually after lots of time observing others and thinking about it I came to the simple realization and acceptance of the fact that I way preferred in person interactions with a few real friends much more that trying to constantly seek approval and acceptance from however many online 'friends' we are told I had but who I really didn't know. I haven't been on facebook or anything like it since, and I have been quite a bit happier. I know, I do accept that WP might be considered as social media, and maybe it is, but I don't care as I don't consider it as such and my opinion is the only one that counts in my mind. That and I like it here.

While social media has it's advantages, it's also given people who are otherwise passive aggressive who openly attack others.

I think it also often creates a platform/environment that reinforces, encourages and builds things like passive aggression.