In recent years, more and more people have been deleting their Facebook accounts. With controversies around privacy, fake news, and mental health, some are wondering if quitting social media can lead to greater happiness.
Why are people deleting Facebook?
There are several key reasons why people decide to delete Facebook:
- Privacy concerns – Facebook has faced criticism over its data sharing policies and ability to target users with ads. Many don’t like that their personal information is being collected and monetized.
- Too much negativity – Facebook can expose people to more negative news and hostile interactions, which can take a mental toll.
- Time waster – Some find themselves endlessly scrolling on Facebook, wasting precious time they could spend on more meaningful activities.
- Comparison syndrome – Seeing curated highlights of peers’ lives can lead to feelings of inadequacy and envy.
- Addiction – Dopamine hits from likes and comments can get addicting for some users who have trouble limiting use.
These factors have led more people to reevaluate whether Facebook is having an overall positive or negative impact on their lives.
How common is Facebook account deletion?
While Facebook has over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide, account deletion is becoming more popular:
- A 2021 Pew Research study found that 31% of US Facebook users have taken long breaks from the platform at some point. 11% said they deleted the Facebook app from their phone.
- Another 2021 survey by Reviews.org showed 27% of people planned to delete Facebook. 47% said they use Facebook less than they used to.
- Facebook reported in 2019 that around 15 million users deactivate their accounts each month. However, many eventually return.
So while full account deletion is still relatively rare for now, more users are reevaluating their Facebook usage and cutting back on the platform.
Short-term effects of quitting Facebook
When people first quit Facebook, they may experience both positive and negative effects:
Potential positives:
- More free time and productivity
- Reduced exposure to negative content
- Increased real world social interaction
- Lower social comparison and envy
- Reduced distractions and addictive triggers
Potential negatives:
- Fear of missing out (FOMO)
- Feeling disconnected or left out
- Loss of distant connections
- Less stimulation and dopamine hits
- Withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or loneliness
The first days and weeks without Facebook require an adjustment period as people learn to fill the void and resist cravings to return.
Long-term impact of leaving Facebook
Research on the long-term effects of quitting Facebook show mixed results:
| Study | Findings on Life Without Facebook |
|---|---|
| Stanford/NYU (2021) | Lower levels of political polarization and more factual news knowledge |
| NYU/Stanford (2021) | Less online and overall news consumption |
| Oxford (2021) | No significant changes in well-being or life satisfaction |
| Stanford (2015) | More life satisfaction, less envy and social comparison |
The evidence is mixed on whether quitting Facebook leads to consistent improvements in well-being. Some findings include:
- Less time wasted and more intentional media use
- More in-person socializing with stronger relationships
- Reduced political polarization when less exposed to partisan news
- No clear impact on overall life satisfaction or happiness measures
The effects likely depend on how heavily someone previously used Facebook and how they redirect their time after quitting.
Key factors impacting happiness after leaving Facebook
Whether leaving Facebook makes someone happier seems to hinge on several key factors:
1. Social replacement activities
If people fill the void of Facebook by meeting up with friends more in-person, joining local groups, or calling distant loved ones, this can offset the social loss.
2. Values alignment
Those who deeply valued privacy, minimalism, or intentional media use are more likely to be happier leaving Facebook as it aligns with their principles.
3. Addictive tendencies
For heavy users with addictive personalities, quitting Facebook may provide a sense of freedom and self-control.
4. News consumption habits
People who got news heavily from Facebook may have less news exposure after quitting. The content vacuum requires new routines.
5. FOMO management
Finding ways to minimize fear of missing out is key to readjusting to life without constant social media updates.
Understanding these factors can help determine if and how quitting Facebook may impact someone’s individual happiness.
Tips for staying happy after leaving Facebook
Here are some top tips to maintain greater happiness and well-being after Facebook account deletion:
- Fill free time with meaningful activities like hobbies, exercise, socializing, volunteering, etc.
- Stay connected to key friends through other channels like phone, email, or in-person meetups.
- Consider alternative social media platforms like Instagram or Snapchat for photo sharing.
- Limit checking other people’s profiles and posts to reduce social comparison.
- Find new sources of information and news like newsletters, podcasts, RSS feeds.
- Consider using time tracking tools to monitor and reduce phone usage.
- Identify triggers for addictive checking and establish rules for healthy technology use.
- Reflect on personal values and consider the benefits that leaving Facebook provides in alignment.
Making a plan for how to spend time, get news, connect with people, and replace social media scrolling habits are key to smoothly transitioning to life after Facebook.
Conclusion
Leaving Facebook can provide benefits like more free time, reduced political polarization, and freedom from addictive social media habits. However, it also leads to trade-offs like less news exposure and weaker distant connections.
The overall impact on happiness varies by individual based on factors like social needs, values, and pre-existing usage levels. Those who fill the void of Facebook in a meaningful way and align leaving with their principles are most likely to experience greater happiness after account deletion.