When an individual ends a relationship and subsequently ceases communication, a period often referred to as maintaining distance, their former partner may choose to remove them as a follower on social media platforms. This action, such as removing someone from an Instagram follower list, signifies a desire to limit exposure to that individual’s online activities. For example, if a relationship ends and one person then unfollows the other on Instagram while maintaining a period of deliberate avoidance of contact, this online action is observed.
The importance of this action lies in its potential to aid in the emotional healing process following a breakup. By severing digital ties, individuals can reduce opportunities for comparison, rumination, and the temptation to initiate unwanted contact. Historically, cutting ties after a relationship primarily involved physical separation and limiting communication via phone or letter. Social media has added a new dimension to this process, requiring active management of online connections to achieve similar detachment.
