Are you thinking of ditching your social media accounts? Whether due to frustration with recent events or a desire to disconnect, quitting platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and Threads has become a common choice for many users. This guide will walk you through the steps of leaving these platforms, including how to save your data, make your exit, and, if needed, permanently delete your accounts. Ready to disconnect? Let’s get started!
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Why Are People Leaving Social Media?
Recent controversies, like Elon Musk’s actions and Mark Zuckerberg’s alignment with Donald Trump, have pushed users to reconsider their social media presence. For instance, Musk’s alleged Nazi salute during Trump’s inauguration stirred outrage among X users, leading some to say, “That’s it—I’m leaving.” Others, such as the French newspaper Le Monde, have cut ties with X, citing the platform’s shift toward political commentary.
Similarly, Meta’s platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, have seen a decline in user satisfaction, especially after removing fact-checking teams and Zuckerberg’s closeness with political figures. These shifts have triggered Google searches for instructions on how to leave social media.
Whether it’s for privacy concerns, mental health reasons, or simply dissatisfaction with platform management, more people are opting to leave these platforms in 2025. Here’s how you can join them.
How to Leave X (Formerly Twitter)
If you’re done with X, here’s a step-by-step guide to deactivating or deleting your account.
- 1. Download Your Data: Before you leave, save your information. On the mobile app or web browser, go to Settings > Privacy & Safety > Download an Archive of Your Data.
- 2. Private Goodbye Post: You may want to message your followers goodbye. To do so, switch your profile to private by going to Settings > Privacy and Safety > Protect your posts.
- 3. Deactivate Your Account: To deactivate your account, go to Settings > Your Account > Deactivate your account. If you change your mind, you’ll have 30 days to reactivate your account. After 30 days, X will permanently delete your information.
How to Deactivate or Delete Facebook
Deactivating Facebook:
If you’re unsure about deleting your Facebook account, you can deactivate it temporarily:
- 1. Go to Settings > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation or Deletion.
- 2. Select Deactivate Account and follow the steps.
Deleting Facebook:
To permanently delete your Facebook account:
- 1. Go to Settings > Account Ownership and Control > Deactivation or Deletion.
- 2. Select Delete Account and follow the prompts.
- 3. Facebook will confirm via email, and it will take up to 30 days to entirely delete your profile. Don’t forget to download your photos before doing this.
How to Delete Instagram
Before deleting Instagram, make sure to save your data:
- 1. Go to Settings > Your Activity > Download Your Information.
- 2. Follow the instructions to download or transfer your information to another service.
- 3. After saving your data, go to Account Ownership and Control in Settings and select Deactivation or Deletion > Delete Account.
How to Delete Threads
If your Threads account is linked to Instagram:
- Deleting Instagram will automatically remove your Threads profile.
If not, follow these steps to delete your Threads account:
- 1. Go to Threads.net on a computer.
- 2. Click the settings icon and select Account > Deactivate or Delete Profile > Delete Profile.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Exiting social media is more common than ever, with users seeking to disconnect for various reasons, including privacy concerns and dissatisfaction with platform leadership. Whether you’re leaving X, Facebook, Instagram, or Threads, backing up your data and understanding the deactivation or deletion process is essential. As social media evolves, more users will likely explore other platforms or take breaks from digital engagement. Will these users return, or is the shift to a social media-free life permanent?
— Text-to-Speech (TTS) provided by gspeech.