Social Media Crises Erupt on Weekends

Is it true that social media crises tend to erupt on weekends?

I decided to test this theory.

I Had Two Goals

First, I wanted to reduce my role in social media to that of a passive consumer, focusing on carefully shaping my algorithmI was tired of controversial topics, trolls, violence, gender hate, serial killers, and other bizarre content flooding my profiles (Meta and TikTok—LinkedIn is a different matter).

I soon realized that I needed to avoid and hide content that could make me feel worse or, worse yet, provoke me to comment.

I also aimed to tone down my "social justice warrior" tendencies—defending others, engaging in lengthy conversations (which ultimately led nowhere), and getting caught up in controversies and online conflicts.

I decided to minimize my online engagements, such as comments, discussions (including recordings and stitches), and fact-checking, while considering everyone's perspectives. 

This Helped Me Notice a Pattern

Indeed, the worst days on social media are FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, and MONDAY. On Friday, people are tired from the entire week. On Saturday and Sunday, they have nothing to do—tension builds up due to the upcoming workweek. Monday turned out to be the release of all this tension— with sparks and occasional fires..

Conclusions

The next stage of the experiment was avoiding these four days on social media, especially in discussions. What happened?

I didn’t become infinitely happy because the battle for attention with apps never ends. However, I did significantly reduce the lows associated with troll attacks and hate directed at me/my comments (because I avoided polarizing content) . 

Previously, hate affected me greatly because I didn’t know about RSD (rejection sensitivity dysphoria) and a strong sense of justice resulting from my neurodivergence (at least I couldn't name them and therefore couldn't seek remedies). Since I know more about myself, it's easier for me to understand the mechanisms behind my mood declines. I can consciously choosebetter solutions for myself

Digital Medieval Marketplace

Do I have any more thoughts on social media?

Oh yes!

Algorithms, in most applications,will still try to pit us against each other. It simply generates "better" user engagement (number of comments, shares, stitches with personal opinions) and delays putting the phone down (someone is wrong, so we must point it out!)—statistics go up, and ad revenues increase.

Unfortunately, we live in times where social media tries to convince us that we should always share our opinions.Everyone wants to express their views, everyone wants to have a say. There’s nothing wrong with that—unless it becomes toxic. And social media in 2024 is definitely toxic.

Social media is like a huge medieval marketplace with a pillory in the middle, where each of us ends up from time to time. The excited crowd throws mud and rotten vegetables at us, then moves on to the next victim. We often join the witch hunt, even though we were just in those same stocks ourselves.

I recommend a four-day "fast" from comments. It really works..

Ave!