Social media fatigue describes the feeling of being overwhelmed by the pressure to constantly engage with multiple social networks. Keeping up with different platforms can cause boredom and concerns about privacy. To avoid burnout, people can set limits on which networks they use, disconnect occasionally to spend more time with offline activities and hobbies, and take periodic breaks from social media. A 2013 survey found that 61% of Facebook users had taken breaks from the site for several weeks or more at a time due to issues like uninteresting content from friends. As new platforms continue to emerge, social media fatigue is a real problem but taking breaks can help people channel their energy into offline projects.

1. Flipbook by Chloë Grande
Social Media Fatigue: Are You Tired Yet?
Photo: Moyan Brenn(Flickr)

2. With some many social networks, it seems like
we’re drowning in a sea of information
Photo: Felipe Skroski(Wikimedia Commons)

3. No wonder people are starting to feel
burned out
Photo: Jordanmit09(Flickr)

4. Social media fatigue describes the overwhelming
pressure to keep up with multiple social media
platforms
Photo: Zürich Hauptbahnhof (Wikimedia Commons)

5. Boredom and
concerns about
online security are
also factors that
come into play
Photo: Pablo Rogat (Flickr)

6. So what can we do?
Photo: Glasshouse Images(Wikimedia Commons)

7. Photo: Pavel Muller(Flickr)

8. SET LIMITS
Pick and choose which platforms best fit
your personality and goals
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

9. Photo: Tuna Akçay (Fotocommunity)
DISCONNECT
Experience the richness of face-to-face
interactions

10. Use time away from technology to
explore other hobbies and interests
TAKE A BREAK
Photo: Sebastian Grunwald (Wikimedia Commons)

11. But why does social media fatigue
happen?
Photo: Cristiano Betta (Flickr)

12. For a lot of people, the fatigue comes
from that feeling that we’ve all done this
before, so why do it again?
Photo: peddhapati (Flickr)

13. For others, we’re getting to the point
where we feel that we’ve shared all we
can think of sharing, and we’re tired of
rehashing the same old things over and
over again
Photo: Sander van der Wel(Wikimedia Commons)

14. Photo: Jhaymesisviphotography (Flickr)
Many early adaptors say the amount of time they
spend on social media sites has

15. Photo: Xuanxu (Flickr)
In 2013, Facebook admitted in its
annual 10-K report that it might be
losing “younger users” to "other
products and services similar to, or
as a substitute for, Facebook”

16. The results of a 2013 Pew survey show that
61% of surveyed Facebook users say that
they have taken a break from the social
network for several weeks or more at a time
Photo: m a n d o l i n(Flickr)

17. Among the comments
from those who took
Facebook breaks:
Photo: Richard Gillin (Flickr)
“(I had) crazy
friends”
“People were
(posting) what
they had for
dinner”
“I gave it up
for Lent”

18. The landscape is becoming more diverse
with Pinterest, Instagram &
Tumblr all competing for
attention
Photo: M ALATTAR ALATTAR (Wikimedia Commons)

19. At the end of
the day,
there’s only so
much time
consumers
can devote to
social media
Photo: openDEMOCRACY(Flickr)

20. In a digital world, social media fatigue is a
real issue
Photo: Elvn*Nicky (Flickr)

21. As long as new
platforms are
created, boredom
with old ways will
always exist
Why not take this fatigue
and channel it to fuel
energy for new projects
offline?
Photo: Thomas Claveirole(Flickr)

22. After all, Facebook will always be there
waiting patiently for us to return.
Photo: Jayvan (Flickr)

23. D’Amelio, Laura. “Social Media Fatigue.”.eduGuru. 17 January 2013.
Web. 20 May 2014. <http://doteduguru.com/id9043-social-media-
fatigue-syndrome-do-you-or-your-staff-have-it.html>.
Hamburger, Ellis. “The age of the brag is over: why Facebook might be
losing teens.” The Verge. 1 March 2013. Web. 20 May 2014.
<http://the verge.com/20 13/3/1/4049592/the-age-of-the-brag-is-
over-why-faceb ook-might-be-losing-teens>.
Kelly, Heather . "Survey: Most Americans take breaks from
Facebook." CNN. 6 February 2013. Web. 20 May 2014.
<http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/05/tech/social-media/facebook-
breaks-pew>.
Works Cited