Come join me in bullying myself out of using social media

A reflective piece argues that social media, once a lighter way to stay connected, has increasingly become mentally draining for its author. The article—written by a newspaper editor—says the shift has been noticeable “in recent years,” moving from humor and casual engagement toward content described as traumatizing or dystopian. It cites exposure to disturbing stories from afar, uncensored videos of people being hurt, and increasingly aggressive, bot-heavy comment sections. The editor also references a long personal history with platforms, from AOL Instant Messenger at age nine to later use of Facebook and Myspace. The piece emphasizes that not all social media is harmful, but frames the experience as a growing dependency that no longer adds value. It ends mid-sentence as the editor prepares to describe quitting plans.