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The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Social Media: An Exploration in 2023

As we go past the midpoint of 2023, the digital landscape continues evolving at an unprecedented pace, with social media platforms leading the charge. They are no longer mere mediums for connection and communication; they are shaping our societies, economies, politics, and daily life. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the current state of social media, shedding light on the significant trends, key players, and future possibilities.

The Titans of Social Media

While the social media space is constantly welcoming new contenders, a few titans continue to dominate in 2023. Facebook, despite the various controversies and criticism regarding privacy and misinformation, remains a prominent player with a diverse audience base. The ongoing popularity of Instagram, owned by Facebook, is fueling this dominance, especially among the younger demographics.

Twitter fights it out with Thread to continue thriving as the go-to platform for real-time news, discourse, and microblogging, while YouTube remains the king of video content. However, video-focused platforms like TikTok and its clones are pushing the boundaries of short-form content, driving user engagement with their dynamic, authentic, and creativity-inducing format.

LinkedIn remains the stronghold for professional networking, maintaining its focus on career-related content, job opportunities, and professional development.

The Rise of Niche Social Media

Niche social platforms, tailored to specific interests or communities, are growing in popularity. Platforms like Clubhouse, a drop-in audio chat platform, are revolutionizing the way we communicate, bringing back the power of voice in the digital age.

Similarly, the renewed interest in gaming, combined with social interaction, has seen platforms like Discord skyrocket. The platform allows gamers and non-gamers alike to create communities and engage in real-time conversations.

The Intersection of Social Media and E-commerce

The intertwining of social media and e-commerce, known as social commerce, has gained significant momentum in 2023. Instagram Shops, Facebook Marketplace, and Pinterest’s ‘Shop the Look’ feature are blurring the lines between social networking and online shopping. With users able to discover, consider, and purchase products without leaving their social feeds, brands have new ways to capitalize on impulse buying and user trust.

Privacy and Security Concerns

Despite the innovation and growth, privacy and security concerns continue to plague social media. Users are becoming increasingly conscious of their digital footprint, leading platforms to take a more proactive approach. Encryption, user control over data, and transparency in data usage are becoming non-negotiable aspects of any social media platform.

The Age of AI and AR

AI and AR are transforming social media experiences. From Instagram filters to personalized content recommendations, AI and AR are integral to many platforms’ functioning. AI-driven content moderation is becoming increasingly necessary to combat hate speech, misinformation, and harmful content. Meanwhile, AR offers new ways for users to interact and engage with content, driving up user engagement.

The Future of Social Media

As we look to the future, we can expect the lines between the digital and physical worlds to continue to blur. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are set to take social media to new heights, enabling users to interact in immersive digital spaces.

Blockchain and decentralization might also have a significant role to play. Concepts like decentralised social networks and NFTs (non-fungible tokens) could redefine ownership and value in the digital space, providing users with greater control and new opportunities.

The state of social media in 2023 is vibrant, complex, and ever-evolving. As users, we are constantly adapting to new ways of communicating, engaging, and doing business. As we navigate these transformations, the challenge will be to maximize the benefits of these dynamic platforms while addressing issues of privacy, security, and the quality of digital discourse.

Threads: A New Social Media Platform for the Long Run?

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has recently launched a new social media platform called Threads. Threads is a text-based app that is designed to be more personal and intimate than other social media platforms. Users can post text, photos, and videos to their Threads feed, and they can also send direct messages to their friends.

Threads has been met with mixed reviews so far. Some people have praised the app for its focus on personal connection, while others have criticized it for being too similar to other social media platforms.

So, is Threads good for society in the long run? It’s too early to say for sure, but there are a few reasons to believe that it could be.

Threads could help to reduce social media burnout. Many people feel overwhelmed by the amount of noise on social media, and Threads could provide a more focused and intimate space for people to connect with their friends and family.
Threads could help to promote positive social interactions. The app’s focus on personal connection could encourage people to be more thoughtful and considerate in their posts.
Threads could help to build community. The app’s focus on small groups could help people to feel more connected to their friends and neighbours.

Of course, there are also some potential downsides to Threads. For example, the app could be used to spread misinformation or to cyberbully others. However, Meta has said that it is committed to making Threads a safe and positive space for users.

How does Threads compare to Twitter?

Threads and Twitter are both microblogging platforms, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. Threads is designed to be more personal and intimate, while Twitter is better suited for sharing news and current events. Threads also has a lower character limit than Twitter, which could make it more challenging to share complex ideas.

Threads could be an excellent alternative to Twitter for people who are looking for a more personal and intimate social media experience. The app’s focus on small groups could help people to feel more connected to their friends and neighbours. However, Threads is still a new platform, and it will be interesting to see how it develops in the future.

Could Threads compete with Twitter?

It is possible that Threads could compete with Twitter in the long run. Threads has a number of features that could appeal to users who are looking for a more personal and intimate social media experience. However, Twitter has a number of advantages over Threads, including its larger user base and its more established brand.

Overall, it is too early to say whether Threads will be a success. However, the app has the potential to be a good thing for society in the long run. If Threads is successful, it could provide a more personal and intimate social media experience for users, and it could also pose a threat to Twitter. Only time will tell how the app will develop in the future.

Conclusion

Threads is a new social media platform with the potential to be a good thing for society in the long run. The app’s focus on personal connection could help to reduce social media burnout, promote positive social interactions, and build community. However, Threads also has potential downsides, such as the risk of misinformation and cyberbullying. It is too early to say whether Threads will be a success, but the app has the potential to be a positive force in society.

3 Reasons to Move from WhatsApp to Signal

How do you communicate with friends and family?

For the last decade or so – and certainly for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic – there has been a surge in the use of encrypted messaging apps. From iMessage to WhatsApp to Telegram, the options are seemingly endless.

In January 2021, however, a newer platform experienced a significant spike in popularity.

It all started with a simple tweet. When Tesla CEO Elon Musk spoke out against Facebook’s latest privacy policy updates, recommending that people instead use Signal over the platform’s Messenger (and the Facebook-owned WhatsApp), the public took note. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey then retweeted Musk’s message, and Signal immediately became more popular than ever.

On 11 January, the Signal app was downloaded 1.3 million times – and those figures have only continued to increase. Comparatively, before the tech mogul’s praise, just 50,000 users downloaded the Signal app each day.

With that, I have to ask – have you transitioned to Signal? Regardless of your answer, here are three reasons to consider making Signal your primary messaging app:

1. Signal offers unprecedented privacy.

Signal can send text, audio, images and video – just like its messaging counterparts WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and Telegram. The key difference is that it offers unprecedented privacy via end-to-end encryption.

What is end-to-end encryption?

Think of it this way: Unlike other messaging apps, Signal jumbles up the user’s messages before sending them, making them impossible to understand for everyone except the verified recipient. It’s no wonder privacy advocates like Edward Snowden are so fond of the platform!

This end-to-end encryption prevents law enforcement, your mobile carrier and other third-parties from reading your messages should they intercept them. And the app’s privacy doesn’t end there. Signal refrains from storing users’ data, features extended privacy options like face-blurring tools and app-specific locks and even provides the option for disappearing messages.

2. Platforms like WhatsApp could put your data at risk.

Did you know that messaging platforms like Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Telegram and iMessage offer a number of security risks?

Depending on the platform, you could be putting your contact info, search history, location and even your financial information needlessly in peril. The following graphic offers a detailed breakdown of the specific data to which each platform may link.

If privacy is a concern for you, the move to Signal may well be advantageous.

3. Switching to Signal is quick and easy.

Are you ready to move from WhatsApp or an alternative platform to Signal?

The process is quite seamless. Signal is your standard one-tap install app available in both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. Available at no cost from the non-profit Signal Foundation, it works the same way as any other messaging app – only with cutting-edge privacy measures.

So, if you’re ready to make the switch from WhatsApp to Signal, simply take the following steps:

Download and install the Signal app.
Enter your mobile phone number.
Select a PIN code of four or more digits.
Add a username.

From there, you can begin to invite new users to Signal as needed. Users even have the option to move their WhatsApp group safely and securely to the privacy-focused platform.

The truth is that we all rely on technology to keep in touch with loved ones – but not all encrypted messaging apps are created equal. If you are searching for a solution with unparalleled security and a sleek user experience, Signal may well be the solution you’ve been waiting for.

Do you have insights, questions or comments on the move from WhatsApp to Signal? Please contact me for more information – or subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Unsocial Media.

Slow the Spread: The Rise of Covid-19 Vaccine Misinformation on Social Media

With more than 1,000 daily virus deaths and 2.8 million Covid-19 cases in the UK just a week into the New Year, citizens are arguably now more than ever awaiting the end of the pandemic.

Yet the global health crisis is still in our midst. With new lockdown measures in place in the United Kingdom, and the vaccination programme in its earliest stages, we must continue to focus on slowing the spread.

This process may well begin on social media.

The Progression of Covid-19 in the United Kingdom

The first week of 2021 marked the highest daily death toll from Covid-19 in the UK since April 2020.

On 6 January, more than 62,000 cases were recorded – the highest daily spike since mass testing became available, despite MPs supporting the lockdown in England.

These figures are quite dire. Current virus patient numbers are nearly 39% higher than the peak cases from last spring. In turn, the number of patients who have died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 is 37% higher than it was a week ago.

With the latest lockdown in full swing, it’s become apparent that we must focus on what we can control. Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced 1.5 million people in the UK had been vaccinated the first week of January – under 2% of the total population.

And while the government has announced the seven locations of mass vaccination hubs in England, they arguably have yet to address one of the key risks people are facing: the spread of misinformation on social media – particularly where the Covid-19 vaccines are concerned.

The Perils of Social Media During the Pandemic

Do social media platforms have an obligation to address anti-vaccination (‘anti-vax’) propaganda?

The truth is that the policy depends entirely on the platform, which presents a significant threat to users’ well-being. Sites like Pinterest enforce strict policies against anti-vaccine content, yet Facebook allows anti-vax sentiments to flow freely.

It’s worth noting the tech giant, which also owns Instagram, has addressed this – in the same way it did while responding to Holocaust denial content: that is, by stating that banning false claims will simply push them to other corners of the internet.

Over time, however – as the Covid-19 death toll skyrocketed – Facebook pledged to target vaccine-related misinformation. In early December 2020, the company announced a policy to reduce ‘imminent physical harm’ linked to false public health claims on Facebook and Instagram. This includes limiting the reach of designated Groups and Pages that spread vaccine misinformation, with the goal of ensuring fewer people see the content.

Similarly, Twitter began to remove dangerous Covid-19 vaccine misinformation from its platform – even going so far as to label misleading tweets with a disclaimer.

But how effective are these somewhat recent measures? For example, Twitter mentioned previously that it would not respond to every post featuring disputed information, but instead focus most of its efforts on removing coordinated conspiracy theories.

And so we have to ask: Can these platforms truly slow the super-spread of vaccine misinformation?

Video Platforms and Covid-19 Misinformation

As we enter the second year of the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s become increasingly clear that social media sites are something of a double-edged sword. Residents will likely be spending more time online during the current UK lockdown – making it all the more vital that the main platforms use their power for good.

It turns out, in this way, that social media can in fact be used strategically for the greater good. Video platforms especially – among them YouTube and TikTok – were some of the first to establish policies specifically involving the Covid-19 vaccine.

In October 2020, YouTube expanded its medical misinformation policy to prohibit claims in opposition of the World Health Organisation and local health authorities. (The Google-owned site has also pledged to remove all Covid-19 anti-vaccination videos.)

TikTok, in turn, developed a broader set of rules against vaccine misinformation.

‘We recognise the responsibility we have to our community to be nimble in our detection and response when new kinds of content and behaviours emerge,’ said Kevin Morgan, TikTok’s European head of product and process, in a recent blog post.

The app claims not only to remove all false information involving the Covid-19 vaccine, but also to suspend the accounts responsible for spreading fabricated claims. Both TikTok and Instagram add notices to many posts concerning the pandemic, directing users to reputable sources from local and global health agencies.

Social Media Can Be Used to Promote Vaccine Uptake

TikTok, in an effort to combat false Covid-19 vaccination claims (and after removing more than 29,000 videos posted by European users about the virus in the summer of 2020), has attracted a number of healthcare professionals.

For what purpose? From misleading views about wearing masks, to false claims about the Covid-19 vaccine, scientists and healthcare workers are creating content designed specifically to slow the spread of misinformation.

There’s undeniably a lot to sift through on TikTok. The app’s ‘For You’ page offers a seemingly endless selection of content from dance videos to historical tours. Yet, medical professionals are leveraging their expertise to – hopefully, thoughtfully – bridge the gap between vaccine rollout and the end of the pandemic.

Take scientist Morgan McSweeney, PhD, known as @dr.noc on TikTok. Dr Noc makes a point of dispelling common myths on the platform, incorporating animation into his content to engage users in a casual yet science-backed format.

According to McSweeney, the app is an ideal platform for connecting with young people – particularly those who may be more likely to come across misinformation. His content, he finds, is more personal than the posts official organisations create. ‘When it’s just you in front of a camera, it’s a little bit more like a conversation,’ he told Time magazine.

The benefits of this approach are expansive. Many children and young adults are searching for reliable information, yet they don’t know where to look for it – and doctors and scientists can leverage social media to connect with them directly. Healthcare workers are taking this as an opportunity to educate, promote vaccine uptake and ultimately help people from around the world make a difference in their respective communities.

Some healthcare providers – including Christina Kim, an oncology nurse practitioner at Massachusetts General Hospital in the United States – are fighting misinformation head-on by connecting with their own audiences. Under the handle @christinaaaaaaanp, Kim hand-picks questions from her 228,000-person following to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

‘I genuinely want this pandemic to end,’ she said recently. ‘I want people to recognise what we need to do to make it end. And I have a responsibility, now with this platform that I have, I think it would almost be irresponsible to step away from that.’

The pandemic is still ongoing. Covid-19 vaccine rollout has yet to reach much of the UK. But during this interim period – during the ongoing lockdown – perhaps we can join forces and turn to the healthcare professionals on social media sites like TikTok for invaluable, personalised information. Together, perhaps we can slow the spread of the virus.

Do you have insights, questions or comments about Covid-19 vaccine misinformation on social media? Please contact me for more information – or subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Unsocial Media.

Key Insights into the Rise of Parler

Over the past decade, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter have become something of a political minefield. It’s never been easier for users to share their opinions with friends, family and even strangers – creating a great deal of tension during the recent U.S. election cycle in particular.

Enter Parler, a relatively new social media site. French for “to speak” and based in Henderson, Nevada, Parler has a rising active user base of roughly 4 million people. It’s attracted a mostly conservative following since it was founded in 2018.

What does Parler look like? This article will offer an objective take on what has arguably turned into social media’s most controversial new platform.

Many users have left Twitter and Facebook for Parler.

In an effort to prevent the spread of false or non-factually-based information, Facebook and Twitter have been adding warning labels to claims that the 2020 United States election was stolen from Donald Trump.

As a result, many conservative commentators have expressed that these sites are biased – and that the alleged fact-checking is being done with a liberal agenda. This has led to waves of users deactivating their Facebook and Twitter accounts, and joining Parler.

Parler actually looks quite a bit like an amalgamation of existing social sites. Create an account, and you’ll be directed to an extensive list of potential users and hashtags to follow. Users can post up to 1,000 characters, much like Twitter, and “echo” (the equivalent of retweeting or sharing) others’ content.

Now one of the top apps in the News category of the Apple App Store, Parler has welcomed users who eschew competing sites that investigate people’s political claims. This brings us to our next point.

Parler markets itself as a “free speech” platform.

With the motto Principles put into action, our way, Parler touts itself as a platform different from any other – one that operates without bias.

According to the site’s company policy, “Parler is the solution to problems that have surfaced in recent years due to changes in Big Tech policy influenced by various special-interest groups.” The site, its founders explain, exists on a “foundation of respect” for:

Privacy and personal data
Free speech and free markers
Ethical and transparent corporate policy

Though its internal processes aren’t entirely clear, the site states that with the exception of spam and obvious criminal activity, it will not fact-check or moderate content. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, users can easily post unverified claims or opinions without the content being flagged.

This has culminated in a spike in conservative support on Parler, especially in the days after Joe Biden was announced the winner of the U.S. presidential election. In this way, the site is a blogging platform rather than a news source, emphasizing the value of free speech over fact.

Parler is polarizing – but it doesn’t promote hate speech.

There’s no defending hate speech, but it’s important to note the difference between allowing free speech and encouraging hate.

No doubt it’s easy, on Parler, to find radical conservatism in just a few clicks. From Holocaust denialism to QAnon, the platform isn’t entirely free from hate speech. And while this isn’t inherently good, it does align with the site’s marked focus on freedom of expression.

Ultimately, it’s worth noting that only a fraction of Parler users post content others would likely deem offensive. Though controversial, the site’s focus is on free speech rather than hate speech. The idea is to avoid censorship altogether, which has become quite polarizing in itself. Though there are exceptions, some might argue that most users are simply trying to find their voice.

Do you have insights, questions or comments on the rise of free speech platform Parler? Please contact me for more information – or subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Unsocial Media.

The Influence of Social Media During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2020 has been a year of significant change – and social media usage is no exception.

As we adjust the way we live, work and interact, we’ve also pivoted the way we use social platforms. Here are several insights experts have uncovered involving the influence of social media during the COVID-19 pandemic:

Social media usage has increased overall.

A GlobalWebIndex survey revealed a 10.5% increase in social media usage from July 2019 to July 2020 – indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic has left many of us increasingly tethered to our devices.

46% of women and 41% of men reported spending more time on social platforms during the pandemic than they did previously. This can be attributed to the overwhelming increase in remote work and e-learning, and the collective uncertainty linked to the public health crisis.

Users are turning to new platforms.

With the pandemic has come a surge in the use of new platforms altogether – in large part because people are looking to be comforted and entertained. While Instagram is far from obsolete, 113 million users downloaded TikTok in February 2020 alone.

The app – previously considered a space for Gen-Z dance videos – now boasts a highly-engaged user-base of all ages. Today TikTok is the top-rated entertainment app on the iOS App Store.

Utilitarian services like Zoom and Google Classroom are more widespread.

Corporate meetings are now taking place online. Classrooms are gathering virtually. And as a result, many social services are prioritising function and security above the dopamine rush of “likes” and comments.

This is because, in addition to searching for comfort and entertainment, users are prioritising social platforms that allow them to easily work and learn from home. The use of utilitarian sites like Zoom and Google Classroom has skyrocketed in 2020.

Social media has become a critical source of information.

Where’s there’s information, there’s also misinformation. According to a recent PEW Research Center report, about half of social media users in the U.S. (and many others across the globe) have seen fabricated news about the pandemic online.

Yet users continue to search for COVID-19 news and updates on social media, scouring sites for the latest information. To acknowledge this, platforms like Microsoft, Reddit, Facebook and Twitter are doing their due diligence to combat fraud. (Still, only trusted sources of information can be taken at face value – and even these must be fact-checked.)

Authenticity has become more attractive.

Trapped at home, people are desperate to connect with others – and they’re eager to engage with one another on a deeper level. This means that content creators must be authentic above all else.

Gone are the days of superficiality above connection. Influencer travel and fitness posts, for instance, have increasingly been replaced by users sharing their deepest concerns and fears, expressing their political beliefs and striving to cultivate a sense of community in the midst of all the chaos.

Companies are acknowledging COVID-19 in their marketing.

The pandemic has given brands a platform to reassure their customers on social media. From putting a positive spin on an otherwise fearful time, to developing a socially-responsible marketing plan, many companies are in fact taking time to reflect and acknowledge what is happening in the world today.

Admittedly, brands must prioritise ensuring the safety of their team members and staff above all else. At the same time, however, they can leverage their social platforms to address the pandemic and reach their audience in new and innovative ways.

Do you have questions or comments about social media usage during the COVID-19 pandemic? Please contact me for more information – or subscribe to stay up-to-date on all things Unsocial Media.