We are living at a time of AI Twins, the shortest attention spans, and algorithms as the king. So why is it that users of social media, a place for everything nowadays, are backtracking their steps and employing the lifestyle of Digital Minimalism? Well, the reasons can be that people are either taking a break from the tech or they are just bored after all this time.
Whether it be literally going back to basic technology, such as cameras without filters, phones without apps, or staying on trends like Zero Posting, here are the things or activities people have been shifting towards:
10 Social Media Alternatives:
1. Building More Personal Platforms (Substack)
Instead of carousels or Reels, personal communities have become the most popular alternatives to social media this past year. Substack, an email newsletter site, saw its highest growth in 2025 when it added almost double the number of user views – 47 million in 2025 from 20 Million 2024 in September. In the time of AI writing and editing, the fact that people want to read human-composed content and that they pay for it (Substack offers paid email that 2 million people subscribe to!) is something to take note of.
2. Long-Form Videos Are Back After Short-Form Ones
After the popularity of TikTok, a short-form video platform, Instagram/Facebook launched the same type of horizontal video posting feature, Reels, on Meta’s own platform back in COVID. And while this feature quickly gained a lot of traction and is still running strong, people are going back to the old and trusty horizontal video format for richer content.
3. Letter Writing
A number of individuals have taken up thrifting, subscribe to journaling subscription boxes, and just like the more intimate practice of handwriting a letter instead of typing a quick text.
Pinterest Predicts, a yearly feature by the visual discovery company, Pinterest, included this theme in their 2026 plan when they saw the surge in social media detox trends, such as handwritten letters, cute stamps, and similar terms to ‘Pen Pals’, rising up to 105% in the past year!
4. Adopting Light Tech Fans Going Back To Basics
Instead of using phones for everything, people have been adopting old or light tech items, such as Vinyls, DVDS, flip phones, or even rotary ones, and connect to their phones to reduce time spent on social media, Doomscrolling and phones altogether.
Special Attention to DumbPhones
Polaroid Cameras, Keyboards, Vinyls are some of the retro tech items that have made a comeback these past few years in the hands of people, particularly Gen Z, who must be finding the items new, considering they have had every function on their phone ever since childhood… But, ‘Dumbphones,” i.e, basic keypad phones from the Y2K era, have received special attention considering they not only look cuter and are great for a life without social media.
5. Phone-free February
The viral Phone-free February is not particularly a part of quitting social media, but the platforms are a big part of why most petitioners would like to stop their screen usage. The aim of the non-for-profit campaign, like other social media detox trends, is simple: to focus on other parts of life instead of sticking to electronics.
Officially started by the Global Solidarity Foundation, the site is simple; you just sign up and set your goal for why you are going phone-free, whether it be getting a more private life, saving time, or anything else.
6. Offline Communities
Offline clubs, communities, and societies are getting more and more popular, which brings people of a shared hobby or passion together in real life instead of joining in with a link or invite over a social media platform. You can be part of a music club, a fan group, or anything, or start a society of your choice!
Places like the Tribe and Offline Club have seen growth in the past year, specifically after Covid-19, which left people all too dependent on social media to pass the time or combat loneliness.
7. Online Private Communities (Discord/Telegram)
Similar to offline communities, people of similar interests or goals are also joining meetings or discussing topics, preferably on private messaging platforms such as WhatsApp groups or Discord, due to the idea of deeper conversations.
8. Podcasts
While 2026 is nowhere near the boom year for listening activity, podcasts have been increasing year by year after a dip in 2022. They are just so reminiscent of early radio, even though Gen Z is their biggest user. Still, seen as more personal than social media, it’s not a surprise that 61% of adults are avid podcast listeners as well!
Music and podcasts are also amazing alternatives to social media through which you can give your eyes a break. Read similar fun and no-screen activities here!
9. GrandmaCore Hobbies
Similar to slow living, the Grandmacore trend also went viral for people quitting social media. Whether it be taking up different arts and crafts hobbies, such as embroidery, leisure walking, or the age-old hobby of gardening, people have been posting how they are reconnecting to nature or how they have adapted to more physical hobbies.
Slowliving activities like these are supposed to reduce stress, and you can check out more mindfulness habits to boost happiness here!
10. Zines
There was a time when social media took the early 2000s trend of Zines at the start of the 2010s, but now people are going back to the infamous homemade magaZine which actually gives them something tangible to hold onto instead of getting their entertainment or news from social media pages.
What Happens Next?
Is Social Media going anywhere? No. But are people finding joy somewhere? Yes. Of course, everyone is different; there are more than 5.5 billion people on social media all over the world. But even if some millions keep on transitioning from the social media platforms to other forms, there will be a time when these tech giants will need to rethink their strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why Is Gen Z Quitting Social Media?
It might be a little ironic that Gen Z, the generation that’s literally grown up in the age of social media, is the one giving it up and looking for digital detox trends 2026 the most. But the answer can vary; it can be Digital Fatigue, Brain Fog, increased privacy, or anything else.
Q. Do Digital Detox Trends Work?
Yes. If you stick with them for some time. They may not be easy, especially for people who have been using the above-mentioned platforms for years and years, but they can really help. Physiologist Dr. Susan Albers-Bowling lists the positive effects of life without social media, with digital detoxes:
“Research shows digital detoxes reduce stress, decrease depression and anxiety, improve sleep, and boost mindfulness