Declutter Your Feed: Improve Instagram & TikTok

Is This a “Social Surrender”? the Growing Crisis of Social Media and What Europe Can Do

(Image: A girl taking a selfie – symbolic image. Could you switch off social networks? – Image: Imago)

Published May 30, 2025 – 2 minute read

Key Takeaway: Social media platforms are increasingly under fire for their role in spreading misinformation, fueling societal division, and impacting democratic processes. While outright bans are unlikely to be effective, experts suggest a need for stronger regulation and a shift in how we approach these powerful platforms.

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Social media – once hailed as a tool for connection and empowerment – is now facing intense scrutiny.Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms wield immense power, deeply influencing public opinion and, critics argue, destabilizing democratic societies. The core of the problem? Algorithms designed to prioritize engagement, often amplifying negativity, extremism, and outright lies.

“The goal is to create a constant feeling of uncertainty in societies,” explains Dr. Tobias Schmid, Director of the State Media Agency North Rhine-Westphalia and a leading expert in media regulation, in a recent T-Online podcast, “Tagesanbruch” (Daybreak). He argues that these algorithms systematically promote divisive content, spreading disinformation on a massive scale.But is the answer simply to ban these platforms? According to Dr.Schmid and T-Online editor-in-chief Florian Harms, a ban would be counterproductive – a “social surrender.” Rather, they propose a more nuanced approach focused on regulation and accountability.

Why Bans Won’t Work & What Will

The difficulty lies in balancing the need to control harmful content with the essential right to freedom of expression.Simply shutting down platforms risks censorship and could drive problematic behavior underground.

So, what concrete steps can Europe take to regain control? The answer, Schmid suggests, is surprisingly straightforward.(Listen to the full discussion to find out what he means!)

The “Tagesanbruch” podcast delves into these complex issues, exploring why politicians and society struggle to hold these platforms accountable and how a rule of law can navigate this challenge without stifling free speech.

Listen to the full discussion on:

Spotify: How can decluttering your Instagram and TikTok feeds improve mental well-being and reduce feelings of FOMO?

Declutter Your Feed: The Ultimate Guide to a Better Instagram & TikTok Experience

Are you constantly bombarded wiht content that leaves you feeling drained or uninspired? It’s time to declutter your feed! In this thorough guide,we’ll explore how to curate your Instagram and TikTok feeds,creating a more engaging and positive online experience. We’ll cover everything from identifying toxic accounts to mastering the mute and unfollow features.

Why Decluttering Your Feed Matters

Your social media feeds considerably impact your mood and overall well-being. A cluttered feed, filled with irrelevant or negative content, can lead to feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem, and details overload. The benefits of a clean feed are substantial and include improved mental health, increased inspiration, and a more customized experience with content you actually enjoy. Think about it as a form of digital self-care. It allows you to curate your content for positive experiences.

The impact of a Toxic Feed (and How it Affects Well-being)

• Negative Comparisons: Constantly comparing yourself to others. This is one of the most damaging aspects.
• Anxiety and Stress: Feeling overwhelmed by constant notifications and updates.
• FOMO (Fear of missing Out): Feeling the pressure to keep up with everything.
• Reduced Self-Esteem: Being exposed to unrealistic standards of beauty or success.

Instagram Feed Decluttering: Step-by-Step Guide

Decluttering your Instagram feed is essential for improving your experience. Here’s how to create a more tailored experience on the Instagram platform:

Step 1: Identify Problematic Accounts

the first step is to identify accounts that negatively impact your mood or are simply no longer relevant. This could include:

• Accounts that promote unrealistic expectations.
• Accounts that repeatedly share content you find uninteresting.
• Accounts causing feelings of jealousy or inadequacy.

Step 2: Unfollow vs. Mute – Making the Right Choice

Choosing between unfollowing and muting is usually a matter of personal preference and the specific context of the accounts you wish to “remove” from your feed.

unfollow: this completely removes an account from your feed, giving you space from the person or topic.

Mute: This allows you to hide an account’s posts, stories, or both.You won’t see thier content, but you remain connected. You have the opportunity to tailor the muting.

feature	Description	Best Used for
unfollow	Completely removes the account from your feed.	Accounts you no longer want to see any content from.
Mute Posts	Hides posts from the user but still allows you to see stories.	Accounts you’re not interested in, but you still don’t want to fully unconnect.
Mute Stories	Hides stories from the user	Stories from profiles are not your thing,but you want to keep their posts.

Step 3: Refine Your Following

Periodically review your following list. Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I genuinely interested in this content?
• Does following this account bring me value?
• Am I comparing myself with this account?

Step 4: Explore the “following” Tab

Instagram’s “following” screen also shows accounts you interact with.

• Sort by Most Recent (or Least): Quickly see who’s been posting lately or hasn’t
• See Interactions: Find out which accounts you interact with the most or least.

TikTok Feed Decluttering: Practical Strategies

The ever-changing nature of TikTok trends requires continuous attention. Here’s how to tailor your “For You” page (FYP) to see the content that you want.

Step 1: The Power of “Not Interested”

Long-Press and React: Identify videos you don’t enjoy and long-press on them. Select the “Not Interested” option.

• This feeds the TikTok algorithm information on what you don’t want to see.
• Use this as a way of blocking content.

Step 2: Use TikTok’s Filter Features

TikTok helps curate you what you wish to see. Some ways to tailor the content you can see:

• Keyword Filtering: Block specific keywords allowing you to cut out content
• Hashtag Filtering: Remove content based on hashtags.

Step 3: Interact Intentionally (Use Interactions)

You are in charge of what you see. Be sure to:

• Like Videos You Enjoy: The platform will recommend you content.
• Follow Accounts: Follow pages you find captivating.

Advanced Tips for a More Positive Experience

Optimize Notification Settings

Control your notifications (both platforms).

• silence unwanted alerts; it can free up your screen.
• Consider turning off all notifications (or custom ones).

Set Time Limits

Limit your engagement to decrease time wasted on social media.

• Take regular breaks and make sure you check in from time to time

Seek Out Positive Content

Follow accounts that are positive.

• Follow accounts that match your interests, so you can learn more

Unfollow News accounts

These types of accounts can be stressful.

• Stay informed, but do it in a way where you don’t feel constant anxiety.

Case Study: Real-world Examples of Feed Decluttering Success

Example 1: Sarah’s Instagram Transformation

Sarah found that constantly seeing fitness influencers triggered feelings of inadequacy as she frequently enough compared her body.However, she decided to declutter her feed. First, Sarah unfollowed the accounts that made her feel down. Then, she started following accounts that promoted body positivity and a healthier lifestyle, such as bodyposipower. After several weeks, Sarah found that her feelings about her body and her self-esteem improved.

Example 2: John’s TikTok Makeover

John found himself feeling unproductive while scrolling through his tiktok. He realized that many dance challenges and prank videos weren’t relevant to his goals. john began using the “Not Interested” feature on videos he disliked, and actively liked tech and how-to videos. The shift was noticeable.His FYP became filled with content aligned with his interests, and he gained valuable knowledge while scrolling.