Reflections on Quitting Social Media and Advocating for Mindful Digital Engagement
By
mooreds
4mo ago· 3 min readenOpinion
75/100
Toasty
Bagelometer↗
Toasted just enough. A reliable bake, gently seasoned.
Score75TypeopinionSentimentnegative
Summary
The author shares their personal journey of quitting Facebook in 2020 after a former coworker spread misinformation about Portland despite the author living there and providing firsthand accounts. They reflect on the decline of social media's golden age, noting that Facebook peaked around 2008 when it was more about genuine connection with friends and minimal advertising. The article discusses the negative impacts of social media on mental health, relationships, and society, while advocating for more mindful usage and suggesting practical alternatives for staying connected without the toxicity of current platforms.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledI quit Facebook in 2020 when a former coworker was spreading misinformation about what was happening in Portland, OR. He'd never been there and had no plans to visit. I was literally living in Portland at the time, telling him what I was seeing firsthand, but that didn't matter to him.
Here's what I've noticed since then: the heyday of social media feels like it's behind us. In my opinion, Facebook peaked in 2008. Back then, it was about connecting with friends, sharing actually interesting updates about our lives. Minimal ads.
Social media has become a place where people go to be angry, to argue, to spread misinformation, and to compare their lives to carefully curated highlight reels of others.
I'm not saying we should all quit social media entirely. But I do think we need to be more mindful about how we use it. Ask yourself: Is this platform adding value to my life? Or is it just making me feel anxious, angry, or inadequate?
Danielle's approach to social media in 2026
