Isn’t it wonderful to have the entire world at the tip of your fingers; be it as a tap or a simple scroll? Instagram is just this – a social media application that has brought people together, made worlds smaller and created a platform for individuals to showcase themselves. However, it isn’t all wonderful when Instagram addiction starts to creep in. The subtle addiction that fills your mind when you’ve been using Instagram daily in your lives is inevitable. So, before things get out of hand, here we have a guide on how to quit Instagram.
As any other form of obsessions, daily usage or even an extreme of addiction, quitting Instagram can be a hard thing to do. Especially if you are someone who is a creator on Instagram and earns their livelihood there. But, there are ways in which you can keep your social media life and your own life separate, and we are here to give you pointers to achieve this.
Why You Should Quit Instagram
So, here is the beginning of the steps on how to quit Instagram. It is to know when you are addicted to Instagram and know why you should quit Instagram in the first place. You can also look into the disadvantages of using Instagram.
Scrolling Breaks Can Create A Monotonous Mindset
Instagram is a platform where you can post different formats of photos and videos. However, you can also look at your feed – which is the home page on Instagram. The home page has content from all the accounts you follow, and you also have the explore page. You can look at content from all other public accounts on Instagram that show up on the explore page.
As you may have experienced before, tapping onto Instagram means time goes down the drain as you mindlessly scroll through these pages into a deep rabbit hole. Your mindset gets hampered and you fall into the pit of Instagram’s mindless scrolling.
Posting Everything Can Be Problematic
Next is a problem that a lot of people face with Instagram. The need to post anything and everything about their lives. This problem is mostly prevalent in creator accounts on Instagram who earn their livelihoods from the application.
You eat at a place with good food? You take a good picture. So, you post it on Instagram. And the next place you go to, and the next thing you do. It turns into an endless cycle of posting stories, posts, reels, IGTV and all other kinds of content Instagram provides.
Next thing you know, you have become hooked on posting about your life on Instagram so much that life feels empty without it. And herein lies the moment you know you need to quit Instagram for good.
Users Cannot Differ Between Social Media Life And Personal Life
Another problematic behavior that comes with Instagram addiction is the lack of awareness as to what is real life and what is your social media life. On social media, it is very easy to fake it till you make it.
There are countless creators and profiles on Instagram that come forth with the truth on how ugly Instagram’s faking can get. Where touching up pictures and addings filters is given so much priority that people cannot post anything without it.
Then, users become unaware of what their real life holds value in and become addicted to the lifestyle the social media glam brings in. Do not get sucked into the thin line between social media and personal life.
The Validation Instagram Gives
The features that Instagram provides users with includes likes, comments, shares and saving content. These have become problematic, to a point where Instagram recently updated their application to hide the count of likes and views on user’s posts.
Instagram gives users the validation they seek when users give their post a lot of attention. If you have a habit of testing the waters by posting content and deleting it if it doesn’t do good, then it isn’t alright.
Comparison Creates Demotivation
Social media is the easiest place to compare ourselves with others. When a user is on the application and constantly see’s others only doing better in any aspect of life, it can get tough.
You need to keep in mind that social media is not the real life of other user’s too. Without a reminder for this, you may compare what you do, achieve and the steps you take to get where you are with others. Know that comparison can be the robber of motivation, and create a sense of dissatisfaction with self.
Stalking On Instagram
Finally, a widely known problem on Instagram that people overlook is stalking. Stalking does not always mean obsessively looking into the social media lives of others. It can also come in the form of checking others’ profiles from time to time.
This habit creates a sense of comparison as mentioned before. There are instances where users can fall into the habit of stalking without even realizing it, so it is necessary to quit Instagram before you get into this habit.
Ways To Get Away From Instagram
Now that we have looked into the reasons why you should quit Instagram and things you need to self-reflect on; here are ways on how to quit Instagram.
Limit Your Instagram Usage On iOS Device
It is not easy to limit your Instagram usage once you are addicted to it but it is not impossible. If you do not think you can do it on your own, then there are ways to place a limit on application use directly from your device too. The steps to do this on an iOS device are below.
Step 1: Open Settings On Your Phone
First, open your phone and go to the settings of your phone. Tap on the Gear Settings Icon.
Step 2: Go To Screen Time
Within settings, tap on the Screen Time option.
Step 3: Choose App Limits
In screen time, you will see the option App Limits. Tap on it.
Step 4: Search For Instagram And Add It
Then, tap on the Add Limit option. Search for Instagram and add it.
Step 5: Place A Time Limit On Instagram Usage And Confirm
Then, you can place the time limit on however much you want to cut down on your daily Instagram usage. Finally, confirm the limit and start your cleansing journey.
Place Instagram Screen Time Limits From The App
Next, you may be looking for other options to set a limit to your Instagram screen time. You can set a daily reminder for yourself from the Instagram application too. Follow the given steps to do this.
Step 1: Open Instagram On Your Device
First, tap on the Instagram application on your device. On the login landing page, log in with your username and password. Instagram will then open to your home page.
Step 2: Go To Profile
On the home page, tap on the circular profile icon on the bottom right corner of the screen. Your Instagram profile page will then open up.
Step 3: Access Your Activity
On the top right corner of the screen, tap on the three lined hamburger icon. Then, tap on Your Activity in the dialog box that opens up.
Step 4: Go To Time
In your activity, choose the Time page.
Step 5: Set A Daily Reminder
On the bottom of the screen below the graphs is a Set A Daily Reminder option. Tap on it and place your daily reminder and confirm it. Instagram will then send a reminder if you cross the limit daily.
Seek For Self Validating Activities
Even if you do place a limit on the usage of Instagram from your device, you still need to find that validation you seek from Instagram elsewhere. First, find that validating activity for yourself. Provide yourself with daily routines that fall into place where you would usually scroll mindlessly on Instagram.
Start Hobbies Or Creative Activities
Another thing you can do for yourself is pick up a hobby or do something small or creative. A hobby does not always have to be something grand, it can be something as simple as collecting rocks or bird watching. Pick on something you enjoy and let it fill your time instead of the time you spend looking at your phones’ screen.
Distance Yourself From Your Phone
Next, the best thing you can do is to physically distance yourself from your device. Even if you have to open your phone for work or any other requirement, place Instagram on the third or fourth screen of your phone. This way, you will not get the urge to open Instagram and scroll on it the moment you see it.
Only Use Instagram When Necessary
Finally, this may be a simple thing to say but if you follow through, it will work like wonders. Just use Instagram when it is absolutely necessary to. Push notifications on your device so you do not hear each notification coming in and get the urge to check it.
Steps To Temporarily Deactivate Your Instagram Account
If you are looking to simply quit Instagram by not using it then you have the option to temporarily deactivate your Instagram. You can also log out of the application and leave it at that. However, deactivating from Instagram can be more effective. So, here are the steps on how to deactivate from your Instagram account.
First, know that you cannot deactivate Instagram from the mobile application. So, you need to use a web browser to do this.
Step 1: Open Instagram On Your PC
First, open Instagram on your PC. You can do this by typing in Instagram on your web browser and running it. On the login landing page, log in with your username and password.
Step 2: Go To Your Profile
On the home page, tap on the circular profile icon on the top right corner of the screen. On the drop-down menu, choose Profile.
Step 3: Edit Profile
On your profile, tap on the Edit Profile option in the middle of the screen.
Step 4: Deactivate Your Account
On the edit profile landing page that opens up, scroll to the bottom right corner of the screen. The option to deactivate your account is written in blue. Tap on it and choose the reason why you are deactivating your account and confirm the temporary disabling of your account.
How To Reactivate Instagram
If you have disabled your account on how to quit Instagram then you can reactivate it again with a few simple steps. First, know that you need to wait at least 24 hours before reactivating your account once you’ve deactivated it. After this, the process to reactivate your account is to simply log back into your Instagram account. Your account will immediately open up.
How To Delete Your Instagram Account
If you are skeptical of the options given above and want to permanently delete your account then you can also do that. Know that if you delete your account then all the data saved with it including your posts, username and messages will be removed permanently. You cannot open the same account again. Now, let’s look into the steps to delete your Instagram account.
Step 1: Log In To Your Account From A Web Browser
First, log in to your Instagram account from your web browser.
Step 3: Open The Account Deletion Page
Then, go to the official page delete site of Instagram. Once you are already logged in, it will ask for the reason to delete the account.
Step 4: Choose Reason
On the drop-down menu, choose why you are deleting your Instagram account.
Step 5: Confirm Delete Of Account
Finally, confirm the account delete and your Instagram will no longer exist.
How To Delete An Instagram App On Your Device?
If you do not want to use your Instagram app for some time, you can delete it from your device. Then people will be able to send you Direct Messages, see your old posts, comment, like, and mention. But you will not receive any notifications on your device until you reinstall it. So, below are the steps to delete an Instagram app on your Android and iOS device.
On Android Device
If you are an Android device user, you can delete an Instagram app on your device using the following steps.
Step 1: Go To Settings
Go to the ‘Settings’ icon on your Android device from the ‘Home’ screen.
Step 2: Tap ‘Apps and Notifications’
Tap on the ‘Apps and Notifications’ option under ‘Settings.’
Step 3: Tap On Instagram App
Scroll down and find the ‘Instagram’ app. Tap on it.
Step 4: Tap ‘Uninstall’
Then tap on the ‘Uninstall’ option at the bottom row.
Step 5: Uninstall From Home Screen
Also, you can go to your ‘Home’ screen and locate the ‘Instagram’ icon. Then long tap the icon which pops up the ‘Uninstall’ option.
On iOS Device
Instagram app is the same on iOS devices as Android devices. But the process to delete the app is a little different. So, here are the steps to delete an Instagram app on your iOS device.
Step 1: Go To Home Screen
Go to the ‘Home’ screen of your iOS device.
Step 2: Press And Hold Instagram App
Press and hold the Instagram app icon on the ‘Home’ screen.
Step 3: Tap On ‘X’ Icon
Now tap on the ‘X’ icon, which appears in the top left corner of the app.
Step 4: Tap Delete
Then tap on the ‘Delete’ option.
How To Download Your Data Before Deleting An Instagram Account?
Before deleting an Instagram account, you have to download all your data stored on your account if you need it. If you don’t know how to backup your data from your Instagram account, then below are the steps.
Step 1: Open An Instagram App
Open an Instagram app on your device.
Step 2: Go To Profile
Go to your profile by tapping your profile picture on the ‘Home’ screen.
Step 3: Tap Three Horizontal Lines
Tap on the three horizontal lines menu at the top right corner.
Step 4: Tap On ‘Settings’
Tap on the ‘Settings’ option from the menu.
Step 5: Find ‘Security’
Tap on ‘Security’ under the ‘Settings’ menu.
Step 6: Tap ‘Download Data’
Tap ‘Download Data’ under ‘Data and History.’
Step 7: Enter The Email
Now enter the email address to receive your Instagram account data.
Step 8: Request Download
Then tap on the ‘Request Download’ button. It will take up to 48 hours for Instagram to send your data. Therefore, it would be best to wait until you receive your data before deleting the account.
How To Get Rid Of Instagram Addiction?
It will be hard to get rid of any addiction without any effort. Instagram is also a habit of wasting hours of your day scrolling posts. People try to avoid Instagram altogether, and they tend to fail. So, there are different techniques that you can apply to get rid of Instagram addiction.
Instagram and other social media apps consistently implement various sophisticated and data-driven methods to keep you engaged and spend more time on their app. But unfortunately, looking at others’ post on Instagram makes you jealous and have adverse effects on your life. You lose productivity in your work, and you are very much interested in others’ life. So, you need to figure out a way to get rid of the addiction.
Delete It
The simple way to get rid of Instagram addiction is to delete the app. If you cannot control the use of an Instagram app, deleting the app is the best option. But if you have a business profile on Instagram, you cannot delete the app. So, you have to find the other option to get rid of an Instagram addiction.
Detox
If deleting an app does not work for you, Detox is another option to remove Instagram. You can stay without using an Instagram app for two to three days or a week. You may crave for the first few days; then, the craving will decrease significantly.
Awareness
To control the habit of your self-realization is a must. So, you have to be aware of the post you are scrolling and the amount of time you are spending on the Instagram app. You are wasting your time by going through all the shiny photos, clothes, and holiday destinations of others without knowing them. Therefore, you need to control yourself from all these activities.
Getting Rid Of Other Addictive Apps
Not only Instagram but other apps also do the same. They post different ads to attract people and engage them on their app. It is similar to drugs and alcohol, which drags you more and more into it. So, you have to get rid of those addictive apps as well.
Cold Rehab
It is the way of using your phone just for 30 minutes a day for 14 days. When you do something regularly, it becomes a habit. So, if you want to get rid of any habits, you have to avoid them for a few days and become a habit.
Time Tracking Apps
You can download a time tracking app on your device, which you can use to measure the time you spent on each app. Nowadays, there is an in-built feature on your smartphone which tracks the time you spend on each app every day. So, you can analyze how much time you wasted on an Instagram app.
Get Hobbies
If you do not have any hobbies that excite you after work, you fall into negative habits. It is due to boredom, so you have to find the way that excites you. For example, if you love music and play any instruments, you can utilize your time. Like this, you can engage yourself in your hobbies rather than on the Instagram app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some frequently asked questions on how to quit Instagram are below.
How To Quit Instagram For A While
Instagram provides users with the easy and accessible option to temporarily disable your account. All your account information will stay intact, but there will be no engagement with your profile. Your profile will not show on people’s feed and search list too. So, to quit Instagram for a while, you can follow the steps in the article above to temporarily deactivate your Instagram account.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you can always understand if you really need to quit Instagram and follow ways on how to quit Instagram. The first step is to know you need to quit, so good job on getting there. Now, you can choose whichever methods fit best to you and go from there to conquer your Instagram addiction.
