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National Unfriend Day

Ready to give your online presence a clean sweep? Join us for National Unfriend Day and say goodbye to those unwanted social media connections!

Tuesday

November 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATENovember 17

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYFun

SUBCATEGORYMeme Culture

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to "unfriend" on National Unfriend Day, November 17th! This day was created in 2010 by Jimmy Kimmel as a way for people to take control of their online presence and clean up their social media accounts. Whether it be getting rid of old acquaintances, that pesky relative or just simply reducing the noise from your newsfeed - taking this opportunity can help you stay connected with the important people in your life.

TIMELINE

National Unfriend Day Timeline

Facebook’s Launch

Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook, giving birth to modern social networks and introducing the concept of 'friending' people online.

Twitter Joins Social Media

Twitter was introduced creating a new platform for online relationships and pushing the boundary of what 'friendship' means online.

Unfriend Day Creation

Jimmy Kimmel created National Unfriend Day, encouraging people to delete unnecessary friends from social media, promoting a healthier and more meaningful online environment.

Facebook Hits One Billion

Over 1 billion people were using Facebook, highlighting the need for critical management of online relationships and the relevance of Unfriend Day.

Public Awareness Expansion

Media coverage of National Unfriend Day increased, raising public awareness about the creep of digital overload and the importance of cultivating meaningful online connections.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Unfriend Day

Unfollow social media accounts

We all have some accounts that are just not adding any value to our lives. Go through your list of followers and unfollow anyone that you don't need in your feed.

DELETE

Delete contacts from your phone

Take a look at the contacts in your phone, and delete any that you don't need anymore or anyone you may have lost contact with.

ORGANIZE

Organize an 'unfriending party'

Invite friends over for a night of purging. Bring snacks and beverages and help each other go through social media accounts, deleting contacts and unfollowing people who no longer bring value to your lives.

SEND

Send out postcards

Send out postcards to everyone you want to 'unfriend'. Give them a heads up that it's time to say goodbye!

TAKE

Take a break from social media

If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a break from it all. Delete all of your apps for 24 hours and take the time to appreciate the world around you.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Unfriend Day

It allows for personal growth

Sometimes life doesn't follow the same trajectory as our friends, and that's ok! National Unfriend Day lets us distance ourselves from those who don't share our current interests and values, and instead embrace people and things that will help us grow in different directions. It reminds us that we are always evolving, and it's okay to let go of relationships when needed!

It encourages self care

Unfriending someone from your social media can be hard, but it's an important way to take control of your online presence. Fixating on other people's lives or keeping track of what they are doing can create anxiety and stress, so National Unfriend Day is a great reminder to take a break from social media and focus on yourself!

It supports mental health

Unfollowing or unfriending someone from your social media isn't necessarily a negative thing - it's about protecting your own mental health and well being. By reducing your exposure to certain people or content that you find draining or triggering, you can create a safer space for yourself mentally.

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