Bye bye, Meta
Why am I leaving Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp in January 2025
In light of Zuckerberg’s latest announcements and the organisation’s decision to eliminate fact-checkers on Instagram, Threads, and Facebook in the US and modify its hateful conduct policy, I’ve decided to close my accounts and stop using Meta products.
This means not being present anymore on Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
I’ll close my accounts at the end of January, and stay active on Telegram (if we’re connected on WhatsApp, I use the same number on Telegram), LinkedIn, and Substack (as social media and content platforms).
A slow-cooked decision
I’ve been working in digital marketing since 2008, so witnessing the degeneration of social media (paired with its increasing power of manipulation and polarisation) led me to stop working in ad agencies in 2019 and explore ways of working in digital communications that were more meaningful, conscious, and regenerative.
Unfortunately, while I’m pulling toward that direction, Meta (just like X/Twitter did) pulls toward the other, providing a fertile solid for misinformation and polarisation. Enough is enough.
Domesticated by stimuli
It’s very hard to break the rhythm we’ve gotten used to of “I want it, I have it.” It happens with consumerism, and it happens with information.
Our brains are fantastic machines designed for efficiency—plastic and adaptable, absorbing the kind of knowledge that makes them spend less energy keeping our bodies healthy and alive for longer.
And we’ve abused this. Because technology always evolves in this direction.
Creating fake news and poor-quality content is cheap and quick.
Quality journalism and fact-checking require time, energy, verifying sources, debating with others…
Who has the time and energy for that? Unfortunately, the general trend nowadays shows that neither companies nor users are interested in it.
Why would you want to pause and practise critical thinking when you open Twitter and see tweet after tweet telling you the same thing? Thanks, eco chamber algorithm.
Well, it must be true, right? If so many people are saying it.
Am I now supposed to look for the same news in different outlets to cross-check information? For what? Two minutes have already passed, and I’m watching videos on how to clean stubborn stains and reading inspirational quotes to start my day.
Content pollution collapses our system
We keep numbing (with useless content) and overloading (with absurd frenetic lifestyles) the most incredible and marvellous machine nature has gifted us: our brain ❤️🩹
That’s why we don’t have a healthy relationship with stress, we’re addicted to dopamine, our cortisol levels are through the roof, we’re incapable of connecting with ourselves and others in a healthy way, we constantly overload our nervous system, and our bodies take the hit with illnesses, while our mental health suffers the consequences.
Questions to hold with the time that I’m going to save on social media
If staying informed is a civic duty, what happens when the information we consume is garbage?
Could being less informed nurture more connection?
What is effort in times of convenience?
Happy to chat if you’re curious about this decision or explore ways to stay connected in alternative spaces.
Stay healthy and conscious 😘