I’m a teenager who quit social media — and I’ve never been happier

If you are old enough, you might remember what it was like to grow up without today’s technology. 

That’s not the case for me, a 17-year-old student at Friends School of Baltimore. 

In 7th grade, wanting to fit in, I briefly used Instagram. Quickly, however, I realized it wasn’t for me. It surprised me how much attention was required to discern what interesting events to post and to analyze who liked my stories. 

So, I broke that habit, leaving adults and peers alike to wonder why not. Why give up what the majority of teenagers have and remove yourself from online society? The short answer is you’re missing out on the chance to get to know yourself.

Teens assume my parents don’t let me have it. Or they say my decision is cool and they respect it, knowing they will never give up Instagram and TikTok. But with a TikTok ban looming, more people will have to quit alongside me. 

If you were wondering what this lifestyle might look like for you, here are the pros and cons of life without social media. 

Deeper connections and less second-guessing 

I’m happier and more creative without social media. I love being outside; I feel most at peace listening to the cicadas, observing the way a squirrel crawls up tree bark or water flows languidly through the stream near my home. 

Social media is often the opposite of that. I’m confined to a screen, looking at other people’s little worlds but I’m not actually in them. It’s harder to get the full truth from posts on social media. Who is the human, flawed person behind what they choose to project, or the bot trying to manipulate me? 

Now don’t get me wrong, I love watching cooking videos and sports highlights on YouTube, but I prefer connecting with my friends in person. It’s easier to have meaningful conversations when you can see a human face reacting to you, instead of interpreting the underlying connotations behind words on a screen. 

Vulnerability comes more naturally when another human is right beside you to comfort you with their warmth.

When I had Instagram for my internship with Technical.ly, I found myself looking up content I was generally interested in — recipes, celebrities, and friends. 

Slowly, however, I would get lost in a maze of posts and information that I hadn’t searched for. I don’t remember the exact posts I saw, but I do remember continuing to scroll as if I was looking for something better, without knowing exactly what that was anymore. I wanted entertainment. 

If you find yourself endlessly scrolling like I was, think about what you could be getting done in the 2.2 hours that the average person spends on social media per day. Or the time you could spend with those you care about. 

Fewer privacy concerns — with more space to reflect

Improving mental health is one of the biggest draws for people when they consider limiting their social media use.  

According to the New York Times, however, it’s hard to prove that correlation because of the different ways people can use social media. 

How people use social media and how it makes them feel is a unique experience. I often used it as a distraction when bored and an escape when confronted with challenging emotions.

Life without social media feels fresh and clear. On the tube in England, I witnessed children laughing together on their way to school. During my internship, I stayed off my phone and talked to new people. 

Even though it was scary, I met complex, interesting people. Allowing myself to reflect on and process difficult emotions has made me a happier person.

I’m a private person. I don’t want anyone besides my friends and family to know what I’m doing or where I am.

Unfortunately, my data is often being sold to market certain products. I’m also wary of the idea that someone could steal my identity based on my social media footprint.

Using social media feels like surrendering control of my personal information. 

It’s harder to build connections with a public profile

The biggest offer social media has is the ability to connect you with people all over the world. 

I am less connected to my cousins who live far from me because we have to make more of an effort to talk to one another through texting rather than Instagram. 

Social media’s ability to create friendships differs among my friends. 

While my friend Ronan said, “I have made friends with people that I otherwise would never have met,” Sophia had a different experience. 

“I think it’s really hard to use social media as a way to find new people,” she said. “Everything is filtered in some way. But if I’m already seeing them in person and I talk to them frequently that’s how I can strengthen a relationship.”

Sometimes I want to see what my friends post because I feel like I’m missing a piece of them, but I still get a real and valuable piece of them in my daily life. 

Out of the loop, and feeling just fine 

I am out of the loop. Perpetually. I don’t know the new societal definitions of ‘demure’ or ‘brat.’ While that isn’t my biggest concern, important information is shared through social media.

For example, I have to be more proactive in getting political news because, according to the Pew Research Center, half of US adults get news at least sometimes from social media.  

I am subscribed to the New York Times newsletter, but I also have to do research and find reputable news organizations to read. Still, because of the astounding amount of misinformation on social platforms, I don’t have the desire to get my news from social media. 

Other kinds of information make me feel left out. People often post about their parties and hangouts on Instagram. Many teens start relationships online through Snapchat or DMs (one of my friends included). 

Living without social media is not easy, and it’s not right for everyone. I made a choice I am happy with, but not without some sacrifices. 

For some people, limiting their social media time to 30 minutes a day, or turning off their phone when they get home from work is the right choice, and a step in the direction that makes them more fulfilled.