How to delete or deactivate social media accounts?

Before deleting any social media account, download a copy of your data. Every major platform offers a data export tool: photos, posts, messages, contacts, and activity history. On most platforms, go to Settings > Privacy > Download Your Data.

Most platforms offer deactivation as a reversible middle step. Deactivation hides your profile and content but keeps your data intact so you can return. Try deactivating for 30 days — if you do not miss it, proceed to permanent deletion.

Each platform has a different deletion path. Facebook: Settings > Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion > Delete Account. Instagram: Settings > Account Center > Personal Details > Account Ownership > Deactivation or Deletion. X: Settings > Your Account > Deactivate. TikTok: Settings…

Instead of quitting cold turkey with no replacement, find healthier ways to meet the needs social media was filling. For staying in touch, use group chats or phone calls. For news, subscribe to newsletters. For entertainment, try podcasts or library books. For community, join local groups.

Services like DeleteMe ($8/mo) or Incogni ($6/mo) contact data brokers and people-search sites to remove your personal information. After deleting social media, these services clean up the trail of data that has been scraped and resold across the web.