Instagram is the most popular social media platform in the world. Nearly every major celebrity uses it, and everybody knows at least one so-called “influencer” nowadays. For many, gaining likes and followers is a serotonin inducing experience and they base their self-worth off of it. However, for many others, is can be a distraction. It can cause you to lose focus if studying or working, where “I am just going to cheque my messages” can very quickly become a 20-minute episode of staring at your screen. It is also highly addictive and can have a genuine effect on real-life relationships with friends and family, because we can often be too busy staring at our screens and not be paying attention to those around us.

With the term “social medusa” becoming more popular thanks to social media’s ability to turn people into stone figures looking at their screens, perhaps it is a good time to get away from it all for a while, or maybe get rid of it altogether. What this article looks to do is give you quick, easy, and practical steps that can help you to delete that Instagram account once and for all.

But it does not have to be all doom and gloom. There is another option available to you if you wish. If you think that you may come back to Instagram and you just need a break, you can temporarily deactivate your account. For many, this is the step that I would recommend first, as it gives you an idea as to how life is without the ever-addictive platform. That way, if you do give in and wish to return, you have not lost everything. If you are OK after deactivating and still wish to delete your account, then you will know what to do. Just keep in mind that all of your photos, account history, and interactions will be gone forever.

The Process

Log in on a Web Browser

Whether on a mobile or a desktop, you will need to open Instagram via a web browser. This is because the Instagram mobile app will not let you delete the account. I would say that it is best to use a desktop because from my experience, using the web browser on the phone just keeps bringing you back to the mobile app itself. Accessing Instagram through a desktop web browser was far less of a headache and made the process quicker and easier.

Go to My Account

Simply go to my account, and then click “delete my account”. Once you click this, you will be given a drop-down menu that asks why you wish to delete your Instagram. However, above that box, they will give you the option to “temporarily disable” your account if you do not wish to take that extra step right away.

Re-enter Your Password

Once you have given your reason for deleting your Instagram, and you are sure that you do not wish to simply deactivate, you will need to re-enter your password. This is a solid security feature the stells Instagram it is you that wishes to delete the account. This is done to protect the owner of the account from any suspicious activity.

Press the Big Red Button

After you have entered your password, a big red box will appear, above it, you will be warned that once pressed, all of your pictures, data, and interactions will be gone. What is also important to note, is that if you do decide to create a new account on Instagram after deleting this one, you will be unable to use your old username. If you are happy with all of this, just press the button which says, “permanently delete my account” and voila, you are Instagram free!