Social media platforms are a MESS !

Let’s talk about it.

So recently, as i navigate the internet, jumping from app to app in pursuit of some food for thoughts, I felt quite intrigued by the current state of #SocialMedia (not just on linkedin which used to be one of my favorite app, but across all major social media platforms overall). ??

Over the years,

Social Media has become an integral part of our daily lives, shaping in many ways the way we #connect, share, #communicate, sometimes think and consume #information.

As of today, the landscape of social media is constantly evolving, reflecting changes in #technology , #userbehavior, and #societal #trends.

So, between new #platforms that introduced or reintroduced popular format for social media such as TikTok (Aka VINE for gen z) , or clubhouse (which I myself recently learn about and well … that was ??interesting ? to say the least ) ,

And Older platform trying to remain #innovative and relevant to the newest users such as @Facebook , Instagram , and X (the artist formerly known as ??Twitter?? ??),

Here are few things i noticed recently regarding the state of social media in the present day.

??DISCLAIMER ??

(now might be a good time to say that I love social media but it’s not always great to be on it, therefore I remind you that these are only my personal observations and/or opinions, not to be taken as absolute truths or 100% facts).

? SO MANY Platforms : it’s overwhelming !

The social media ecosystem is more diverse than ever, full of various platforms catering to different demographics and interests.

While Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (Aka "X"), and LinkedIn remain popular (even though the content is almost the same, yes even on linkedin which now is transitioning from a professional platform, to a mass video re-sharing platform with random somewhat ??professional?? message as a caption ????);

Newer platforms like TikTok and Clubhouse (new type of social network based on voice) have gained rapid traction, reshaping how content is created and consumed.

Plus, with the rapidly growing popularity of short-form video content taking center stage, Platforms like YouTube (with a youtube their shorts) Instagram (with their reels) and TikTok (even Snapchat/ Snap Inc. for that matter) are driving the demand for easily digestible visual content, prompting businesses and influencers to adapt their strategies.

? Influencer Culture : Is everyone an influencer now ?

If anyone can claim to be an influencer, then is the Influencer culture remaining a potent force?

With many individuals on social media amassing sizable followings and wielding significant influence initially due to their ??originality??, ??relatability?? or ??authenticity??,

but gradually shifting to becoming due to ??their shock value??, ??their hot takes?? or their reaction to reposted content (that can sometimes be out of context, extremely tone deaf and controversial or completely out of touch post).

Many raises questions as to if the foctors of commendable values, authenticity and originality that initial drove the “influencer culture” really exist anymore or if it even still matters in this new ultra fast paced era centered around the portrayal of a good social media image ? ??

? Privacy and Security Concerns: ??

Now this is one of the major issues in this current social media era.

The handling of user data and privacy remains a critical concern. Between tracking, malwares and other forms of #data collection schemes, High-profile data breaches and controversies have led to increased scrutiny of how social media platforms #collect, store, and share user information.

Even even though these could cause serious harms to users, it seems that security concerns in terms of users data #protection and #privacy are just something many feel conscious about, but not concern enough until It is often too late. ????

? Misinformation and Content Moderation : it's online ≠ it's true !

You’ve hear of fast fashion, well welcome to the ultra fast news era (be it true or not) !

Between the stress inducing, body dysmorphia fueling content,

the mentality draining anxiety inducing doomscrolling,

and the overwhelming pseudo motivational posts of professional that only share their ups making many feel like their failing in their career,

Don’t worry you can still have time to get #misinformed too ! ????

In the sea of new content floating all over the internet at every minute (often without full context), it is hard to focus on specific issues and go in depth to form a valide well research , and well informed opinion on every single thing you see.

Therefore, The spread of misinformation and fake news on social media has allegedly prompted platforms to set goal to stop most misinformation, set strategies and invest in content moderation tools, yet in almost all cases and platforms this has remain unsuccessful till this day. ????

And although no platforms as yet achieved this so far, Striking a balance between free expression and preventing harm has proven to be a complex challenge, that if succefully overcome, can be a game changer in the future of social media and the way we use.

? Mental Health Aspect : The pressure is getting worser !

At this point, doom-scrolling is not even enough to describe the rollercoaster of emotions we go through scrolling through social media, and having constant access to almost everything, everywhere all at once can be quite daunting.

All across the great vastness of the interweb, the ever increasing social media usage have sparked discussions about the impact on mental health of current and future generations, their overall wellness, as well as the future of social media as a whole.

So with that being said,

It is undeniable that social media has transformed from a means of casual communication into a formidable global force that shapes opinions, fuels revolutions, and connects individuals across continents.

And even if currently, it seems a lot of the main platforms across the board are causing some harm, be it from the spread of misinformation, hate speechs, the addictive nature of the never ending flow of content (good or bad), the potentially harmful effects of the social media influencer culture, or the more technical issues regarding the treatment of users data.

As technology continues to advance, it is a reasonable assumption that social media will continue to expand, shape and reflect the way we view the world, connect and communicate in an ever-evolving digital landscape,

Hopefully for the better,

But currently, it’s a mess. ????