Are we actually using social media, or just watching it

I've been thinking about how much social media has changed.

A few years ago, most of what I saw on Instagram and Facebook came from people I actually knew. Friends posting photos, sharing updates, having conversations in the comments.

Now I can spend 30 minutes scrolling and barely see anything from someone I follow.

Most of the feed is recommended videos, creators I've never heard of, sponsored content, and posts selected by an algorithm.

And I understand why. Platforms want people to spend more time on their apps, and recommending entertaining content is a good way to achieve that.

But I think we've lost something in the process.

Social media has become really good at keeping us entertained, but I'm not sure it's become better at helping us connect.

I'm curious whether others feel the same way.

Do you still use Instagram, Facebook, or X to interact with people, or have these apps basically become entertainment platforms for you?

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LVLSquare-Admin•14 days ago•5

Engagement generally = $$
"Social" platforms have learned this. I think it also may have a lot to do with the rise of creators and influencers who are wanting to build a following for internet fame and/or monetization. I think it's good for entertainment value, but I think that the most outrageous content often gets the most engagement. IMO I feel like that pushes everything in a direction that just feels less authentic , and less connected to real people.

Ambitious_Phrase6887•14 days ago•4

Honestly I’m trying to get better at it because I’m trying to be a influencer who’s content matters

Xenn78•13 days ago•3

People are using multiple apps to get what they need - discord, slack, various messaging apps and using multiple accounts to handle different aspects of their lives. It's all going on around us and is not so visible on the surface - surface being tiktok, IG, the most "visible" social media. The number of people who seem to ONLY use the addictive side of these apps is frightening tbh. But I suspect everyone has their own messaging, chat threads, etc with the people they are closest to. It's not a great time at the moment.

Valuable_Green_9161•14 days ago•2

feels more like entertainment now. I barely see friends' posts unless I visit their profiles directly.

Ambitious-Emotion764•14 days ago•2

I don't use it to interact. I just use it as an entertainment platform to watch content.

fxfatherman•14 days ago•1

I think the connecting part didn’t disappear, it just moved out of the feed. Most people I know doesn't post regular updates publicly anymore, but the group chats are busier than ever! Half of what I scroll past ends up getting sent to a friend with “this is so you” and that turns into an actual conversation or laughter 😂 staying in contact with friends in that way - letting them know I am thinking of them.

RockieK•14 days ago•1

Neither. It's too much crap and information. After 20-years, I stopped. I swear I am regrowing brain tissue.

Might not be for everyone, but hotdog! I feel so much better.

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hoongk•14 days ago•1

I have been wondering about this and am considering taking it up as an in-house inquiry project at my place of work. I do not take social media platforms as a serious place, but as a public space for people to see and choose the "right" pieces of content to support what he or she already knows. Algorithms creating a false perception of antisocial or entertainment-seeking community is a clear warning to me, who is always trying to remain grounded to reality.

Secret-Area2756•13 days ago•1

I mainly treat them as entertainment platforms, prefer to interact with friends and family on messaging apps

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