How to banish toxic posts from your social feeds

This article has been updated. Originally published December 1, 2020.

Remember the simpler days of social media? It was all harmless fun: poking friends, decorating their profiles, and sharing silly photos. Those were the good old days.

But today's climate—political divisions, the COVID-19 pandemic, relentless social comparisons, privacy concerns, and online security threats—has made social media feel overwhelmingly toxic. The easiest solution? Quit cold turkey. But that means missing out on the platform's positive aspects.

I've found a better way: reimagining my social media usage. This doesn't require deleting accounts; simply refocusing your attention and curating your connections can make a huge difference.

Facebook: Groups Over Individuals

Countless guides advise unfollowing or blocking negative contacts and using third-party tools to filter offensive words. While helpful, with today's heightened tensions, negativity inevitably seeps in. My solution? I unfollowed almost everyone.

Facebook Groups have become my antidote. These focused communities minimize off-topic arguments. My wife and I have found success with local groups like neighborhood forums, Buy Nothing groups (for exchanging unwanted items), and parenting networks. You might discover groups related to your fitness trainer, favorite podcast, or even a beloved cooking blog.

To find relevant groups, visit Facebook's Groups page. Explore suggestions or search using keywords related to your interests and location. Smaller, more specialized groups are generally better; larger groups can become breeding grounds for negativity.

Combine a curated selection of groups with a few close friends, and your feed transforms from a source of conflict into a positive, community-focused space.

Twitter: A Personalized News Aggregator

Twitter's toxicity might even surpass Facebook's. Its design—a rapid-fire stream of short posts—is ill-suited for nuanced discussions. Coupled with politically charged content and a controversy-promoting algorithm, it's a recipe for endless negativity.

If you use Twitter primarily for news, consider replacing it with a newspaper. Alternatively, I've repurposed my Twitter account as a modern RSS feed.

I created a fresh account with one rule: follow organizations, not individuals. This replaced the inflammatory rhetoric of celebrities and politicians with well-reasoned articles and interviews. I now have a curated stream of information without the negativity, perfect for passively consuming news while working.

However, relying solely on curated news sources creates a "filter bubble," potentially exposing you to misinformation and confirmation bias. To mitigate this, follow a variety of sources, including broader accounts from publications, ensuring exposure to diverse perspectives.

I still maintain a personal account for occasional interactions, but my primary Twitter experience is now positive and informative.

Exploring Underutilized Platforms

This approach extends beyond Facebook and Twitter. Consider re-evaluating your usage of other platforms:

Instagram: Unfollow everyone and transform it into a feed of webcomics or nature photography. The image-focused nature makes it easier to avoid negativity.

LinkedIn: While often criticized for clichés, LinkedIn can be surprisingly useful for connecting with colleagues and discovering new opportunities. It's a platform where people share accomplishments and professional insights, minimizing conflict.

Pinterest: Beyond the commercial content, Pinterest offers a wealth of DIY ideas and inspiration.

These are just a few strategies for reclaiming your social media experience. Experiment and find what works best for you. The key is to critically examine your social media usage and actively curate your experience to create a more positive and less stressful online environment.

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