Yes, the macOS Sequoia 15.8.1 update could be related to the problem you are experiencing with your 2020 Intel MacBook Air, especially since Facebook and Instagram were working smoothly before the update.
However, this does not necessarily mean that the macOS update itself is defective. The problem could be caused by a software compatibility issue, outdated browser components, corrupted website data, high memory usage, or insufficient free space on your internal SSD.
Your MacBook Air has an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
These specifications are still capable of handling everyday browsing and social media, but performance may become limited when several applications and browser tabs are running simultaneously.
If Facebook and Instagram freeze when you try to open messages, use the search function, or navigate between sections, it could indicate a browser-related issue or a problem with how Meta's services interact with your updated operating system.
Another important factor to consider is the available space on your internal SSD.
Although your MacBook has a 256GB drive, macOS, system files, applications, cached data, and personal files can gradually consume much of that space.
Major operating system updates may also require additional temporary storage. If your internal drive is nearly full, macOS may have less room for temporary files and other system operations, potentially contributing to sluggish performance.
You can check your available storage by opening System Settings >> General >> Storage. If the drive is almost full, remove unnecessary files, uninstall applications you no longer use, and empty the Trash after confirming that you no longer need its contents.
Also consider moving large personal files—particularly Photos, videos, music, and other files you control—to an external SSD. This is often a more appropriate way to free internal storage
Apple's official guide explains how to check and free up storage space: Free up storage space on Mac - Apple Support (CA).
I recommend restarting your MacBook Air first to clear temporary system issues.
If Facebook and Instagram still freeze, try opening them in another browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, if you normally use Safari. If they work properly in another browser, the problem may be related to Safari rather than macOS itself. Apple provides troubleshooting steps for Safari loading problems, unresponsive pages, and unexpected shutdowns here: If Safari doesn't work as expected on Mac - Apple Support (CA).
If you use Safari, you can also open Safari >> Settings >> Privacy >> Manage Website Data and remove the stored data for Facebook and Instagram.
You may need to sign in again afterward. Before deleting the data, you can test the websites in a private window to see whether the problem disappears. Apple's instructions are available here: Clear your cache and cookies in Safari on Mac - Apple Support (CA).
You should also check whether a newer compatible macOS update is available by opening System Settings >> General >> Software Update.
It is worth monitoring your Mac's memory usage as well. Open Activity Monitor and select the Memory tab to check the Memory Pressure graph.
If memory pressure is consistently high, closing unnecessary applications and browser tabs may improve performance, particularly because your MacBook has 8GB of RAM. Apple's Activity Monitor guide explains how to monitor memory usage: Activity Monitor User Guide for Mac - Apple Support (CA).
If you are using standalone Facebook or Instagram applications rather than accessing them through a browser, try updating or reinstalling the affected applications from their legitimate sources. Apple also provides general instructions for applications that stop responding, close unexpectedly, or refuse to open: If an app on your Mac stops responding, quits unexpectedly, or won’t open - Apple Support (CA).
Regarding your MacBook Air's age, the 2020 Intel model is compatible with macOS Sequoia. Although its 8GB of RAM may limit multitasking performance, it should not automatically prevent Facebook or Instagram from working properly. I would not recommend downgrading macOS immediately or assuming that your MacBook has a hardware problem. Instead, investigate the available SSD storage, browser behaviour, memory pressure, and software updates first.
My recommendation is to check your internal SSD storage first, then test Facebook and Instagram in another browser and monitor memory usage. Since the problem began after the macOS update, these steps can help determine whether insufficient storage, limited memory, browser issues, or software compatibility is contributing to the freezing. If the problem persists across multiple browsers while other websites work normally, the issue may be specific to Meta's services or a broader software compatibility problem.
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