I didn't go as far as deleting my account, but just deleting Instagram/YT apps from my phone pretty much got my reel/shorts scrolling to 0/day (I already had notifications off for years). And by just deleting apps on my phone, I'm somehow don't end up using them on laptop as well. I think phone makes it easy for brain to remember and keep the habit.

By using ReVanced[0] I have completely patched Shorts, adverts, and Comments from YouTube. It's even added SponsorBlock. I can open YT, watch a video, then close it again without all the attention-diverting crap that's usually present.

I'd _highly_ recommend it to anyone with an Android phone.

[0]https://revanced.app/

You know what? I've noticed the same thing with eating snacks etc., if you don't buy any, you won't eat any. It's amazing!

Doesn't work that way for me. Not having snacks in the house reduces the average amount of snacks to a minimum.

It however causes cravings sometimes which result in binges

HN is basically social media.

True. And I try to avoid it. Gladly it's not as addictive as others.

I'm not so sure about that ;)

I learn something every time though.

Wild experiment! I've heard rumors that deleting the apps also helps, but that might just be a conspiracy theory