Will Facebook and Instagram die? And if so, what will replace them? Social media, and our relationship with it, has changed over the years and sometimes you can't help but wonder what will happen ...
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The rise (and fall) of social media
The advent of social media turned our world upside down. It was not only the established newspapers that could express themselves, but suddenly everyone could publish and take centre stage. Whether it was political discussions or happy holiday photos, everyone took the opportunity to appear, comment and discuss. It was a fun time!
The only question is whether it is as fun anymore? In Aftonbladet, Nicklas Hermansson, a frequent speaker on future and digitalisation issues, goes so far as to write that 2024 is the year social media dies. Referring to a study that suggests that up to 50 per cent of users may have left social media within a year, he argues that we are tired of lies, conspiracy theories, advertising and body fixation.
What is what and who is who?
In the early days of social media, scrolling through your feed was a carefree activity. You saw your friends' posts, with personal photos and texts, and you could interact and socialise for a while, while getting tips on the local flea market on Saturday.
But today? As I scroll my feed, I see lots of images of spectacular near-floating buildings in fairy-tale settings (AI art?) and English-language film clips of burly men rescuing babies from falling prams (directed films pretending to be "reality" to get clicks?).
There are popular influencers created by AI technology and it is not always possible to know which comments are real and which are fake. What is what and who is who? Is it a human or a robot I see? Who is expressing their 'real' thoughts and who is part of an advertising campaign?
If I want to see my friends' posts, I have to make an effort. I have a few tricks, like clicking on the top left corner of Instagram and selecting "Following" or "Favourites". It works for a little while, until I drop my phone to get a glass of water - then I'm outsmarted by the algorithm again and back among floating houses and cooing American babies.
But do we really want to be without Facebook and Instagram?
All this bickering with the algorithms and AI robots - the feeling of being a slave to something I don't fully understand - definitely makes me long for café visits where my friends show their latest photos straight from their mobile phone's photo album. But on the other hand, I have to admit that I have become accustomed to social media, and I almost wonder how life would work without it.
I mean, how am I supposed to keep track of people's birthdays without Facebook? Where do I ask questions about my motorhome's exhaust pipe if I'm not in the appropriate Facebook group? And where do I send messages to people I only have contact with via Instagram if Instagram disappears?
I can also admit that I still - at least to some extent - think social media can be fun. Posting pictures and stories on Instagram often feels creative, while getting quick and "close" contact with friends, acquaintances and readers. I really think I would miss it if it disappeared.
The death of social media - and what comes next?
Let's say that Nicklas at Aftonbladet, and the article he refers to, is right and that social media is falling asleep. What happens then? If we really get tired of arguing with the algorithms on Facebook and Instagram, and check in there less and less often, what do we do with all the time we have left? How do we choose to be creative (because honestly, social media is not only a place for social exchange, but also an arena for creation)? Where do we find information about what's going on in the local community?
If you were hoping to find the answer here, at the end of the article, we may have to disappoint you. We don't really see what will come "instead". Maybe we'll stick with social media to some extent - but choose to use it and relate to it in a different way? Perhaps we will start using calendars more and subscribe to well-chosen RSS feeds (web feeds) or newsletters? Maybe we even look up from our mobile phones for a little while now and then?
What do you think? Which social media do you use, and how do you use them? How has your use changed over time? Do you think the death of social media is coming and if so, what is the new hot topic?
And by the way: You can find us at Facebook at @freedomtravelnews and on Instagram at @freedomtravelnews
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Anna Nilsson Spets says:
I use Facebook, but like you, I'm tired of all the crap that comes up in the feed. Living abroad, it is my lifeline to friends and family. The need for self-affirmation and sometimes also compassion has become greater with the help of social media. I have Instagram, but I'm not active. That's enough. You used to have a social network IRL, now you have it online with strangers. The future.... no idea, I'm busy with the present.
17 January 2024 - 6:08
Helena says:
Interesting what you write about how Facebook can be even more important when living abroad! I still see important functions of social media, even if the usage might change over time...
17 January 2024 - 19:25
Ditte says:
Interesting thoughts! I basically don't have FB. However, I am in two groups so FB is good to have. I do not want any direct friends there but have about 20. Sufficiently good I feel no real need for FB. Have also seen that the tone there can be quite boring and sometimes hateful. Why then, one might wonder.
I use Instagram and think it's fun. It's fun to see what friends are doing in different parts of the world.
As for blogs, I think they will increasingly disappear as well. Doesn't feel so interesting anymore. But what I wrote is still there.
I still read maybe 15 blogs, but not daily Have lost interest and interest in blogging itself disappeared in April 2023. Certainly by a special event but the desire has not returned. I don't think it will and I don't mind.
Yes, it's exciting to see what the future looks like.
17 January 2024 - 11:19
Helena says:
I think that may be the case for many people, that they use Facebook for certain specific things, where they see a value. And yes, in some cases the tone can be boring, in some groups for example ... It's also interesting what you say about blogs. I actually like blogging, both writing and reading, but there isn't quite the same culture around it anymore.
17 January 2024 - 19:28
BP says:
Have always questioned FB, never been on it. Remember that basically "everyone" I knew had an account there. Now there are very few left. However, I believe more in the survival of Instagram. Short texts to a picture or more, or reels. Can easily imagine that Insta will replace the blogs in the long run.
The quality of the blogs has changed since I started in 2008, neither positively nor negatively. Just changed. And the number of bloggers and comments has decreased.
I'm sure that all these social platforms will be replaced by fewer alternatives, but people will still want to share in one channel or another.
PS. A heavenly luck to only have a nonsense blog. Have not been affected by either AI or other "disturbing" elements... yet;-) DS.
17 January 2024 - 19:45
Helena says:
Interesting reflections! Instagram has probably partly replaced blogs already, but not completely of course. You can't write as long there, and you can't "own" the site in the same way, so what happens if something happens to Instagram...? But yes, that it is changing is quite obvious!
18 January 2024 - 19:02
Hasse Olsson says:
The face book is fun, but I mostly use it in different groups. I have never really gotten started with Insta. Using media mostly for "fun" not for expressing opinions or sharing a little tired of the Facebook jury that always judges others, that is for me the big sad. Now we enjoy the Friday, time to cook some fr3dagsgröt.
19 January 2024 - 8:07
Lena - good for the soul says:
Very interesting. And indeed it has changed, in many ways. Not fun with all the adverts and suggestions for accounts I don't follow or are even close to the "right" category.
I have FB since many years, but almost never hang out there privately. A little more now in motorhome groups. I am on Insta much more. It is both fun and frustrating.
Let's see what happens with all platforms.
Hug Lena
19 January 2024 - 8:14