Fifty-five percent of social media users say they post less now than they did five years ago, according to a recent study published by Incogni. The sample consisted of 1,000 adult users in the United States, but you'll agree that this headline could be extrapolated to what we're experiencing on this side of the Atlantic as well, where the debate about digital fatigue is also on the table. Social Media, Seen as Work The history of social media has taken many turns since its origins, and it seems that the preferences of its users have changed along with it. In a context where the networks themselves are repeatedly emphasizing the importance of being consistent with frequent posts to improve our visibility and reach, we may have reached the limits of our patience. At least, that's the case for some of these users. Thus, more than half (51%) of those surveyed indicated that maintaining an online presence feels like work to them. This pressure is greater among younger users, with 60% of Generation Z agreeing with this opinion, compared to 38% of Baby Boomers. “Online engagement is increasingly experienced not only as entertainment or connection, but as another responsibility to manage: from responding to messages and following conversations to deciding what to post and how it might be received,” explain the study's authors. Perhaps for this reason, more and more people are opting for periods of disconnection from these platforms, whether for several days or just a few hours a day, a behavior that brings them “peace” (27%). In any case, not all users react the same way to this separation from social media: 34% experience anxiety when they don't check their messages, and 29% experience FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Taking a Step Back from Social Media Faced with this feeling of social media fatigue, users are becoming more passive. As we mentioned, more than half (55%) of those surveyed post less now than they did five years ago, while 53% have become more selective about who can see their posts. Interestingly, and despite the sense of "work" mentioned earlier, Generation Z is the only generation that doesn't follow this trend. Sixteen percent of the youngest respondents indicated that they now post more frequently than they did five years ago, while 13% stated that they have become less selective with their audience. Why would you delete your social media profile? Given this scenario, the study's authors directly asked about the reasons that might lead users to delete their social media accounts. Among the most prominent reasons were those related to privacy and security (51%), harassment or hate speech (41%), excessive use (32%), and concerns about mental health (32%). This aspect, mental health, is particularly important for younger generations, mentioned by 44% of Generation Z, compared to 25% of Generation X and 12% of baby boomers. As you can see, users are showing increasing signs of burnout with these types of platforms. In fact, the authors summarize one of the study's main conclusions as follows: "The dominant trend points toward more discreet and controlled participation: fewer posts, smaller audiences, and greater caution regarding what is shared."