The upcoming Meta blackout protest is happening this week, January 19-26, 2025. The way to participate is to log out of all Meta platforms for the week. Additionally, you can replace your profile photo with a black square.

The Meta blackout movement is spearheaded by R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe. He is encouraging people to boycott Facebook, Instagram and all Meta-owned platforms due to their role in “helping advance the far right in America.”

These platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Messenger, WhatsApp, Giphy, Meta Quest, and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Of course, he is using his widespread reach on those platforms to spread his message:

Lights Out Meta Protest

As Zuckerberg moves to remove the fact checking on Meta platforms, and Trump moves into office, Stipe is encouraging everyone else to move elsewhere.

Zuckerberg claims the fact checkers were “too politically biased” and wants to return to a more “free speech” kind of era. Many believe this to be a move to align more with Trump, who often spews questionable statements not rooted in actual facts.

Stipe also brings into question whether we are all addicted to social media so much that we can’t stay away for a week. Many people seem to drive his point home, as rather than staying off social media, they’ve just found a new platform in Bluesky.

The Move to Blue Sky

Over the last month I’ve seen many people announce they are moving exclusively to Bluesky. You won’t find me there, as I don’t want to invest my time in yet another social media app.

Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform that enables users to share short text posts, images, and videos, fostering community engagement and creativity. It pretty much looks like Twitter 2.0 to me.

Launched in 2019 as a research initiative within Twitter, it became an independent company in 2021. The platform gained significant traction after opening to the public in February 2024, amassing over 20 million users by November 2024.

Functionally similar to X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky allows users to post content up to 300 characters, follow others, and interact through replies, reposts, and likes. A distinguishing feature is its foundation on the Authenticated Transfer (AT) Protocol, promoting a decentralized framework that offers users greater control over their data and the algorithms that curate their feed.

To learn more or to sign up, visit their official website at bsky.app.

How to Make Your Profile Photo a Black Square

Some people plan to take the blackout a step farther by adding a black square to their profile photo.

To make your profile photo a black square on Facebook, follow these steps:

1. Create or Save a Black Square Image:
   • Use any image editing tool (e.g., Paint, Canva, Photoshop) to create an image that is completely black.
   • Or just use the black square you’ll find at the end of this list.
2. Go to Your Facebook Profile:
   • Open Facebook and log into your account.
   • Navigate to your profile page by clicking on your profile picture or name.
3. Change Your Profile Picture:
   • Hover over your current profile picture and click on the camera icon or the “Update Profile Picture” button.
   • Select Upload Photo and choose the black square image from your device.
4. Adjust and Save:
   • Use the cropping and positioning tools to adjust the image if needed.
   • Click Save to update your profile picture.
5. Optional: Adjust Privacy Settings:
   • After updating your profile photo, you can choose who can see it by selecting the privacy icon and setting it to Public, Friends, or Only Me, depending on your preference.

I’ll make it easy- here is your very own black square to save and use for your profile:

Will the Meta Blackout Protest Make a Difference?

The success of the Meta blackout protest depends on several key factors, including the scale of participation, clarity of goals, media attention, and Meta’s response.

If a large number of users and high-profile individuals participate, the protest could gain significant visibility. However, for real impact, the protest must have clear, actionable demands, such as addressing privacy concerns, misinformation, or corporate policies.

Media coverage can amplify the movement, but Meta is more likely to respond if the protest directly affects its revenue or reputation.

Symbolic actions like changing profile pictures to black squares can raise awareness but are less likely to drive immediate change unless coupled with sustained efforts, such as advertiser boycotts or mass account deactivations.

Historical precedents, such as the #StopHateForProfit campaign, demonstrate that targeted action affecting Meta’s financial bottom line has a higher chance of influencing its policies. While the blackout protest may spark dialogue and awareness, substantial change will require organized, tangible follow-up efforts that go beyond symbolic gestures.

So, will you be participating in the Meta Blackout Protest?

Personally, I’m not actively participating, but as of last month I stepped away from spending so much time on social media all together, regardless of platform. I really enjoy not being tethered to posting and responding and will likely continue putting my energy elsewhere. Like here on the blog!