I ignore the shorts. The app still has them lol. Sorry if that was unclear. I just choose to watch normal length content on there. I think you can use NewPipe and filter out shorts content with your settings though, if that’s something that interests you.
I use Jerboa currently. I was using Relay for reddit and the two aren’t really similar, I just switched to it because I saw it recommended the most when I was leaving reddit during the API fiasco. I haven’t tried any of the other apps because I’m used to this one now and it gets the job done.
I deleted my Instagram a couple weeks ago out of anger and spite when the TikTok ban briefly went into effect. I also uninstalled TikTok and kept it uninstalled even after it was unbanned and really only have Lemmy and YouTube (not shorts). It’s been a nice reset for my brain. My deleting Instagram has made a couple friends a bit sad because they liked to send me memes, but we still text so honestly I haven’t missed it at all. All that to say, I highly recommend deleting Instagram.
https://www.gp.org/help_elect_a_green_to_the_milwaukee_common_council Here’s an example of them trying to get someone elected to local office.