What I found when I tried to unplug from social media

A personal attempt to unplug from social media turned into a lesson in how embedded platforms have become. The author described compulsive app checks—tapping Instagram or X during pauses throughout the day, including while eating, on the toilet, or in bed before sleep—and reacting with “yelps” and immediate exits as the apps loaded. They tried alternatives like email and weather, but full disconnection proved difficult because the apps are used daily for work. The article places that struggle in a wider context: Meta’s alignment with President Donald Trump, the resulting calls for boycotts, and the growth of alternatives such as Bluesky after millions joined following Musk-era changes.