How to turn off autoplay on your social media feeds

5️⃣ Explain Like I'm 5

Imagine you're watching TV, but instead of you choosing what to watch next, the TV just keeps showing different shows without stopping. That's kind of like autoplay on social media—it's when videos start playing all by themselves as soon as you scroll to them. But hey, guess what? You can actually grab the remote control and turn this feature off, so the videos only play when you say "play!" This way, you get to decide when and what to watch, making your time on social media a bit like choosing your favorite cartoons.

🔟 Explain Like I'm 10

Autoplay on social media is like a magic book that flips its own pages and starts reading itself out loud as soon as you open it. It’s cool, but sometimes, it can be a bit too much, especially when you just want to quietly look at pictures or read posts at your own pace. The good news is, you can turn this magic feature off on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X, Twitter, and Threads.

Why would you want to turn off autoplay? Well, it can save you from using up all your internet data quickly, especially when you're not on WiFi. It also gives you control over what you watch, so you're not suddenly surprised by a loud video. Plus, if you're just not in the mood for videos, turning off autoplay makes your social media time more relaxing.

1️⃣5️⃣ Explain Like I'm 15

Autoplay on social media might seem like just a convenience feature, but it actually has bigger implications. When videos play automatically, it can sometimes lead to consuming more content than you intended, which is a win for social media companies because it can increase the time users spend on their platform. Turning off autoplay, as you can on Facebook, Instagram, X, Twitter, and Threads, is a way to take back control. You decide when and what to watch, rather than having it decided for you.

From an economic perspective, autoplay features can increase data usage, which might not be ideal if you're on a limited data plan or when not connected to WiFi. Socially, it can alter the way we engage with content, often making us passive viewers rather than active participants. Politically, controlling autoplay settings can also be seen as a small but significant exercise in digital autonomy and privacy, allowing users to manage their media consumption more effectively.

Experts suggest that while turning off autoplay is a personal choice, it can lead to a more intentional and less disruptive online experience. As digital literacy becomes more crucial, understanding and managing these settings can be an important part of using technology responsibly. What happens next might depend on how users and platforms negotiate these features, potentially influencing how social media evolves in the future.