> it cuts you off completely because they've dispaced what used to exist
It really doesn't though. You remove trivial inputs from distant acquaintances, old co-workers, 5th cousins, and all manner of other individuals you'd traditionally have no input from. Meaningful relationships survive bailing on social media.
This has been my experience after largely leaving social media. I’m much happier with less noise and nonsense in my life. It’s been a significant net benefit.
The thing is, I'm not talking about my 6th cousin twice removed, it's my literal siblings. At least in the UK, it seems nobody born after 1990 will use anything other than WhatsApp to message people.
You may well have something there. I'm older, as are all of my friends, and the bulk of my family are non-technical. There may well be some selection bias in effect with folks who remember what the world was like before ubiquitous online bullshit having less difficulty reverting to more "traditional" methods of communication.
It really doesn't though. You remove trivial inputs from distant acquaintances, old co-workers, 5th cousins, and all manner of other individuals you'd traditionally have no input from. Meaningful relationships survive bailing on social media.