October 16, 2025 | MediaWell
Leaving social media does not always mean disengagement from news, but it does disrupt habitual news consumption. Some people report feeling less informed about current events after quitting Facebook, as social media is a key news source for many. However, they also experience benefits like reduced anxiety and improved well-being.
Margaret Ng, Associate Professor of Journalism
According to the Pew Research Center, at least half of U.S. adults rely on social media for information about current events. But what happens when they leave those platforms behind?
Margaret Ng, associate professor journalism, explores the phenomenon of “social media stampedes”—cases of mass user exodus from a specific platform, the (un)successful migration to alternative sites, and the long-term implications for trusted digital information networks—in this opinion piece for MediaWell.