How to do it:

The details depend on your favorite social media platform, but the general idea is simple: what you interact with is what you’ll see more of. Not all of these tips apply to all forms of social media:

• hide bad content. Look for a way to hide, block, or “discourage” content you don’t want
• react to posts you like: reactions, comments and shares (in that order) determine if others will see the post too.
• comments can be trivial. You can literally write “Boosting!” on a friends local event. They’ll appreciate it.
• Sharing posts varies across platforms. On Facebook, you might not get commentary you wanted. If the post you shared was public, copy-paste and tag the person. On Bluesky sharing without a comment acts differently than sharing with one. Learn your platform.
• actively seek out good content to follow, and periodically ask yourself “Have I seen X lately?” If not, go consciously interact with their posts to refresh the connection.
• Learn the platforms you use most. You’d learn how to use a new phone. Social media is no less important to our lives today.
• Consider filters like Facebook Purity (removes paid content, sets feed to “chronological”) and Privacy Badger (blocks tracking across sites)

Finally, diversify your contacts. If there are voices you particularly value, follow them in multiple locations. Meta (Facebook/Insta/WhatsApp) and X are notorious for de-platforming people with no warning. Follow voices you value on Substack, Bluesky or Mastadon before that happens.

Image from Unsplash.