Table of Contents
- 1. Is This a “Social Surrender”? the Growing Crisis of Social Media and What Europe Can Do
- 2. How can decluttering your Instagram and TikTok feeds improve mental well-being and reduce feelings of FOMO?
- 3. Declutter Your Feed: The Ultimate Guide to a Better Instagram & TikTok Experience
- 4. Why Decluttering Your Feed Matters
- 5. The impact of a Toxic Feed (and How it Affects Well-being)
- 6. Instagram Feed Decluttering: Step-by-Step Guide
- 7. Step 1: Identify Problematic Accounts
- 8. Step 2: Unfollow vs. Mute – Making the Right Choice
- 9. Step 3: Refine Your Following
- 10. Step 4: Explore the “following” Tab
- 11. TikTok Feed Decluttering: Practical Strategies
- 12. Step 1: The Power of “Not Interested”
- 13. Step 2: Use TikTok’s Filter Features
- 14. Step 3: Interact Intentionally (Use Interactions)
- 15. Advanced Tips for a More Positive Experience
- 16. Optimize Notification Settings
- 17. Set Time Limits
- 18. Seek Out Positive Content
- 19. Unfollow News accounts
- 20. Case Study: Real-world Examples of Feed Decluttering Success
(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.
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?
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. 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. Decluttering your Instagram feed is essential for improving your experience. Here’s how to create a more tailored experience on the Instagram platform: the first step is to identify accounts that negatively impact your mood or are simply no longer relevant. This could include: 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. Periodically review your following list. Ask yourself these questions: Instagram’s “following” screen also shows accounts you interact with. 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. Long-Press and React: Identify videos you don’t enjoy and long-press on them. Select the “Not Interested” option. TikTok helps curate you what you wish to see. Some ways to tailor the content you can see: You are in charge of what you see. Be sure to: Control your notifications (both platforms). Limit your engagement to decrease time wasted on social media. Follow accounts that are positive. These types of accounts can be stressful. 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.Declutter Your Feed: The Ultimate Guide to a Better Instagram & TikTok Experience
Why Decluttering Your Feed Matters
The impact of a Toxic Feed (and How it Affects Well-being)
Instagram Feed Decluttering: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Identify Problematic Accounts
Step 2: Unfollow vs. Mute – Making the Right Choice
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
Step 4: Explore the “following” Tab
TikTok Feed Decluttering: Practical Strategies
Step 1: The Power of “Not Interested”
Step 2: Use TikTok’s Filter Features
Step 3: Interact Intentionally (Use Interactions)
Advanced Tips for a More Positive Experience
Optimize Notification Settings
Set Time Limits
Seek Out Positive Content
Unfollow News accounts
Case Study: Real-world Examples of Feed Decluttering Success