Why is Threads so Toxic?
Threads, the brainchild of Meta, launched in July 2023 with a lot of fanfare and a pretty obvious chip on its shoulder. Billed as a direct competitor to Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter), Threads seemed to emerge not just as a social media platform but as a symbol of the Musk-Zuckerberg rivalry. Remember when these billionaires were literally supposed to duke it out in a cage match for charity? While that fight didn’t happen, Threads became Zuck’s way of throwing a digital punch.
For a hot minute, Threads looked promising. By the end of its first week, the platform boasted over 100 million sign-ups, making it the fastest-growing app in history. (Take that, TikTok!) But by October 2023, things started unraveling: monthly active users plummeted by over 80%, dropping to a measly 10 million users worldwide, according to SimilarWeb.
Why? Well, here’s my theory: Threads isn’t so much a social media platform as it is a social experiment gone wrong.
The "Girls Following the Girls" Phenomenon
Summer 2023 saw Threads’ first cultural trend: "girls following the girls." The vibe was simple—women supporting women, following every girl they could find in a massive digital hugfest. The idea was cute in theory, but like most “follow-for-follow” trends, it was unsustainable. The cap on following 7,500 accounts didn't help either.
I’ll admit I played along, trying to "follow the rules" of Threads and build my presence. But Threads wasn’t like Instagram or TikTok, where creative or viral content could organically find its audience. Instead, it quickly became clear that most users were creators or drama enthusiasts. And where there’s drama, there’s chaos.
You Can’t Delete Comments
One of Threads’ most baffling design flaws is the inability to delete comments. Unlike Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok—where you can quickly swipe away a harmful comment and move on with your day—Threads only lets you hide comments. The problem? Hidden comments are still visible to everyone else and can still rack up likes. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound and calling it a day.
This simple oversight has made Threads a breeding ground for toxicity. Trolls and drama-starters thrive because there are no consequences for their actions. It’s like Meta handed out free megaphones to the internet’s angriest people.
Reddit Looks Tame in Comparison
Reddit often gets a bad rap for its toxicity. The combination of anonymity and the infamous downvote button can turn even the most civil discussions into chaos. But here’s the thing: Reddit has niches. Once you find your people—be it a cozy book club subreddit or a forum for cat memes—you can live a relatively drama-free life.
Threads, on the other hand, offers no such refuge. It’s a free-for-all where everyone’s yelling into the void, and the void is yelling back.
At Least X Has Real News
As much as Elon’s X (formerly Twitter) gets flak for being a cesspool of sports fights, political debates, and general chaos, it still has something Threads doesn’t: real-time, trusted news. X thrives on immediacy, and while the platform’s discussions can be divisive, they often feel more thoughtful than the shallow pile-ons of Threads.
Threads, by contrast, feels like a political echo chamber where even the most moderate opinions are met with pitchforks. The app skews overwhelmingly liberal—so much so that voicing a centrist thought can make you seem like a MAGA zealot.
A Global Stage for Gossip
Threads didn’t just breed drama stateside. In Vietnam, the platform became infamous for fueling gossip and cancel culture. An article I read detailed how people there were losing jobs and reputations over toxic Threads activity. Meta promised a platform for “positive, open conversations,” but it seems they underestimated human nature (and the appeal of petty squabbles).
What Went Wrong with Threads?
Here’s the thing: Meta’s Threads was doomed by design. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok thrive on creativity and connection. Threads, however, seems to thrive on chaos. Positive posts about, say, self-improvement or a heartwarming story? Crickets. But a snarky subpost or a spicy takedown? Algorithmic gold.
It’s not hard to see why. Negativity drives engagement, and engagement drives advertising dollars. To prove to investors that Threads is worth their money, Meta needs users to stay on the app for at least 20 minutes a day. And if toxic drama is the only way to achieve that, so be it.
Final Thoughts
After two years of trying to crack the Threads algorithm, I finally called it quits on Friday, December 27, 2024. Deleting my account was like stepping out of a toxic relationship—I instantly felt lighter. And now being without the app for over a week, I can safely say I feel a lot better and a lot less anxious being on such a toxic app.
Threads could’ve been a contender. It could’ve been a place for genuine connection, creative conversations, and intelligent discourse. Instead, it became the digital equivalent of a reality TV reunion special—messy, exhausting, and ultimately not worth my time.
So here’s my advice to anyone considering a Threads account: Save yourself the drama. Go touch some grass. Or better yet, invest your energy in platforms that don’t thrive on toxicity.
As for me, I’ll be busy living my best life, far far away from Threads. Maybe if Zuck and Elon ever do decide to throw hands, I’ll tune in. Until then, I’m keeping my distance.
-Kayla
If Zuck and Elon were to ever throw hands it would be the greatest event of the 21st century