The Cyber Security Expert‘s Guide to Deleting Social Media in 2026

Social media has become ubiquitous over the past two decades. The average person now spends 2 hours and 31 minutes per day on social platforms, according to Statista. While these apps help us stay connected, oversharing on social media can come with major privacy risks. Deleting accounts you no longer use is an important part of protecting your digital privacy and security.

If you‘ve been considering an online purge, here‘s what you need to know about removing your social media presence in 2024 from a cyber security expert‘s perspective.

The State of Social Media Use in 2024

First, let‘s look at the scale of social media use today to illustrate why deleting accounts matters from a security standpoint:

• 4.76 billion people use social media worldwide in 2024 (59.4% of the population)
• The average user has 7.4 social media accounts
• 27% of US adults say they‘re online "almost constantly"
• Facebook has 2.96 billion monthly active users
• 79% of Americans use Facebook, compared to 32% on Instagram and 24% on Twitter

Source: Pew Research Center, DataReportal

While these numbers show social media‘s popularity, people are also increasingly leaving platforms. Around 40% of social media users in the US say they‘ve taken breaks from checking the apps and 27% say they‘ve deleted accounts entirely.

Why Delete Social Media Accounts?

People delete social media accounts for many reasons, with privacy and security concerns chief among them. In one survey, 44% of users cited privacy worries as their reason for leaving a platform.

On a surface level, social media poses risks because it encourages us to share so much about our lives. Details you post about your identity, location, job, family and daily routines can be used for social engineering and other cybercrimes if they fall into the wrong hands.

But social apps collect far more info than what you actively post. Platforms build shadow profiles that include contact info, browsing history, app usage, location data and more. This data is used to target ads but is also shared with and sometimes exposed by third-parties.

Deleting dormant accounts is important because it reduces your overall digital footprint. Less data sitting on corporate servers means less risk of that data being hacked, leaked, or used in ways you didn‘t intend.

Clearing out accounts also streamlines your digital life and makes it easier to maintain good security hygiene. Strong, unique passwords are a must, but remembering credentials for dozens of accounts gets difficult. Deleting accounts you no longer use shrinks your attack surface.

How to Fully Delete Social Media Accounts

Deleting a social media account is usually straightforward, though not always instant. Let‘s walk through the high-level steps for removing your presence on major platforms and the key things to know from a cyber security standpoint:

Facebook

1. Log in and click the down arrow in the top-right > Settings & Privacy > Settings
2. In the left sidebar, click Your Facebook Information > Deactivation and Deletion
3. Choose Delete Account and click Continue to Account Deletion
4. Click Delete Account, enter your password and click Continue

Instagram

1. Log into instagram.com and click your profile icon in the top-right
2. Click Edit Profile > Temporarily disable my account (you‘ll need to select this option to access permanent deletion)
3. Go to the Delete Your Account page and select a reason for deleting from the dropdown
4. Enter your password and click Delete [username]

Twitter

1. Click the More icon in the left sidebar and select Settings & Privacy
2. Go to Your Account > Deactivate your account and click Deactivate
3. Enter your password when prompted and confirm you want to proceed

LinkedIn

1. Click the Me icon at the top of the homepage and select Settings & Privacy
2. Under Account Management, click Change next to Closing your LinkedIn account
3. Check your reason for closing and click Next
4. Enter your password and click Close account

TikTok

1. Go to your profile and click the three dots in the top-right corner
2. Select Manage my account > Delete account at the bottom of the page
3. Verify your decision and your account will be permanently deleted after 30 days

It‘s important to note that clicking delete doesn‘t mean your data is wiped on the spot. Platforms generally retain information for at least a few weeks in case you change your mind.

During this period, your account will be deactivated but not fully erased. If you log back in, the deletion process will be canceled. After the waiting period, your visible profile and content will be permanently deleted.

However, it‘s likely that the platforms and third-party data brokers will retain some information about your account in archives and backups. Complete erasure of all traces of your data is difficult.

Before deleting, some other important steps to take include:

• Download a copy of your data. Most platforms let you request an archive of the content and information associated with your account.
• Delete individual posts and photos. Manually remove any sensitive content you‘ve posted over the years.
• Disconnect any third-party apps and accounts that were linked to your profile.
• Notify friends and followers that you‘re planning to delete if you want to stay in touch.
• Consider whether deletion will impact any business or career opportunities.

Alternatives to Deleting Social Media Entirely

While deleting is the most surefire way to shrink your social media footprint, there are alternatives if you‘re not ready to quit cold turkey:

• Deactivation: Temporarily disabling your account makes your profile invisible but leaves open the option to return later. Your data remains on the platform‘s servers.
• Making accounts private: Setting your profiles to private limits who can see your content. This reduces some exposure but doesn‘t stop the platform itself from collecting your data.
• Curating your profiles: If you want to keep your accounts but reduce risk, remove personal details like your full name, birthdate, address, phone number, etc.
• Pruning unused accounts: You may have old accounts on defunct platforms that you‘ve forgotten about but that still hold your data. Track them down and close them.
• App and browser management: Delete social apps from your phone so you can only check on desktop. Use a separate browser for social sites and clear cookies regularly.
• Avoid oversharing: Think twice before posting personal details, location info, and other sensitive data attackers could exploit. Use privacy settings to limit audiences.

Remember, even if you keep accounts active, you can take breaks or limit usage to reclaim time and focus.

The Bottom Line

Deleting social media is a personal choice but one that can have major upsides for your digital privacy and security. By closing accounts you no longer use, you reduce the amount of data sitting on corporate servers that could potentially be exposed.

While completely erasing your social footprint is challenging, taking steps to prune your presence and be more mindful about what you share can go a long way in protecting your data. Regularly auditing your accounts, practicing good password hygiene, and familiarizing yourself with privacy settings are important habits in today‘s social media landscape.

If you‘re feeling bogged down by social apps, consider taking a break or doing a full detox to see how it feels. You may find that life is simpler and more fulfilling without them.