Over the past few years, most of my information has come from social media. At first, this felt convenient. I could quickly see news, updates from friends, and even interesting articles. But recently, I’ve started to feel very uncomfortable about this habit.

One reason is the time I lose by scrolling. It’s so easy to open an app and keep sliding my thumb down the screen without noticing how much energy and focus it takes. Another reason is that the information I see is not neutral. It is chosen for me by the platform’s algorithm. This means I only see what the system thinks I want to see, and this creates a bias in my perspective (filter bubbles!).

Then, I remembered a better way. A way I used to read online years ago: reading through RSS feeds. For a long time, RSS was my main tool to follow updates. I used it to check new articles in scientific journals, blog posts from writers I liked, and topics I cared about—technology, lifestyle, health, food, and more. I especially recommend RSS for students who are starting or already doing research. It’s a very direct way to keep up with academic work.

I believe RSS offers several advantages:

A Controlled Information Environment: With RSS, you decide which sources to follow. There is no hidden algorithm shaping what appears in front of you. This makes your information environment cleaner and more balanced. As you choose your own sources, you naturally think more critically: “Which authors do I trust? Which journals are reliable?”

A Tool for Deep Work: Unlike social media, RSS does not distract you with random notifications, ads, or endless scrolling. You open your reader, see the updates you want, and close it. This keeps your focus sharp, which is essential for studying or research.

Mental Well-being: Finally, avoiding the noise of social media can reduce stress and improve your relationship with information. Reading becomes calmer, more intentional, and less addictive.

Recently, I have started using RSS again, and it feels refreshing. If you are curious, here are two free RSS readers you can try: Feedly and Inoreader. Oh, one last note: don’t subscribe to too many feeds at once. Start small, and let your list grow slowly.