How to deactivate/delete old social media accounts

As it’s the start of the year, it’s great to do some digital spring cleaning. If you or your kids stop using a social network site, app, platform or website, it is a good idea to deactivate or delete these. Having too many digital accounts raises your risk of data being misused or stolen. So, we have provided steps on how to delete or deactivate some of the popular apps/ platforms.

Facebook

facebook logo

How to deactivate your Facebook account

  • Log in then click the downward triangle in the top right-hand corner. On a mobile, this will be the three horizontal lines in the bottom right-hand corner.
  • Select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
  • Click Your Facebook Information in the left column.
  • Click Deactivation and Deletion.
  • Choose Deactivate Account, then Continue to Account Deactivation and follow the instructions to confirm.

You can reactivate your account at any time by logging back into Facebook or by using your Facebook account to log in somewhere else. You’ll need to have access to the email or mobile number you use to log in to complete the reactivation.

Please note: Some things may remain visible (for example private messages you have sent).

How to delete your Facebook account

  • Log in and click the downward triangle in the top right-hand corner. On a mobile, this will be the three horizontal lines in the bottom right-hand corner.
  • Select Settings & Privacy > Settings.
  • Click Your Facebook Information in the left column.
  • Click Deactivation and Deletion.
  • Choose Permanently Delete Account then click Continue to Account Deletion.
  • Click Delete Account, enter your password and then click Continue.

Twitter

How to deactivate your Twitter account

On Twitter, you can deactivate your account – it deletes permanently after 30 days. During this time your account is deactivated.

  • Sign in to Twitter on a desktop.
  • Click on Settings and privacy from the drop-down menu under your profile icon.
  • From the Account tab, click on Deactivate your account at the bottom of the page.
  • Read the account deactivation information, then click Deactivate @username.
  • Enter your password when prompted and confirm that you want to proceed by clicking the Deactivate account button.

Instagram

instagram icon

How to temporarily disable your Instagram account

  • Log into your account (you can’t temporarily disable your account from within the Instagram app).
  • Click your profile picture in the top right and select Profile, then select Edit Profile.
  • Scroll down, then tap or click Temporarily disable my account in the bottom right.
  • Select an option from the drop-down menu next to Why are you disabling your account? and re-enter your password. The option to disable your account will only appear after you’ve selected a reason from the menu and entered your password.
  • Click Temporarily Disable Account.

Temporarily disabling your account means your profile, photos, comments and likes will be hidden. You can reactivate your account by logging back in.

How to delete your Instagram account

  • Go to the Delete Your Account page from on a desktop. If you’re not logged into Instagram on the web, you’ll be asked to log in first (you cannot delete your account from within the Instagram app).
  • Select an option from the drop-down menu next to Why are you deleting your account? and re-enter your password. The option to permanently delete your account will only appear after you’ve selected a reason from the menu.
  • Click Permanently delete my account.

Please note, deleted accounts cannot be recovered or reactivated in future.

Snapchat

How to delete your Snapchat account

Deactivation is not available on Snapchat, but you can permanently delete your account. It will take 30 days for the deletion to take place – and during this time your account will be deactivated.

  • Log in from this page from any browser. It won’t work from the Snapchat App.
  • Fill in the username and password for the account you want to delete.
  • Select Login and enter the same information again.
  • Select Delete my Account at the bottom

TikTok

How to delete your TikTok account

You are only able to permanently delete your account on TikTok.

  • Go to your Profile tab.
  • Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner.
  • Tap Manage my Account > Delete Account.
  • Follow the steps in the app to delete your account.

Once you delete your account it is permanent and can’t be recovered at any point. You will no longer be able to log in, all videos will be lost and purchased items. Shared information and messages may still be visible to other

YouTube

How to delete your YouTube account

Google owns YouTube, and so your Google account is linked to your YouTube channel. You don’t need a channel to use YouTube. It may be a good idea to delete it to limit data collection while keeping your Google account.

  • Log in and click your person-shaped logo in the top right corner.
  • Click Settings > Advanced Settings > Delete Channel.
  • Click Verify your password > I want to permanently delete my content > Check the box and click Delete My Content.
  • Enter your email address to confirm.

Myspace

How to delete your Myspace account

In 2016, hackers leaked the login credentials for 360 million accounts, including many that had been. In response, Myspace invalidated those accounts’ passwords, so you may need to use the ‘Forgot Password’ tool if you want to delete your account.

  • Login.
  • Click the gear icon in the bottom left-hand corner.
  • Click Account then Delete Account.

Accounts you can’t delete yourself:

  • Roblox – You will need to send a deletion request directly to their customer service.

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