Heraclitus of Ephesus said, “the only constant in life is change.” Now, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think Heraclitus of Ephesus was a social media manager back in the day. The world of social media is always changing. Algorithms are a social media manager’s enemy number 1. (and hearing your boss tell you to make more “viral” content). But it comes packed with endless possibilities, especially if you’re a marketer. For now, let’s talk more about the big changes that, in my opinion, will shape the future of social media as we know it.
One of the biggest changes was the increasing focus on privacy and security. In the wake of several (alleged) data breaches and privacy scandals, many social media platforms made significant updates to their policies and practices to better protect the personal information of their users. Even Twitter has been a victim of data breaches quite recently, confirming that over five million users were affected by this.
So, in response to this amid national security issues, U.S. lawmakers have proposed to ban TikTok, a social media platform that finds its roots in China. Russia has restricted TikTok since February 2022. Other countries, including India, have also cited security concerns surrounding TikTok and blocked the access.
So, will we see more bans, restrictions, and censorship in 2023? You decide.
Another major change in social media in 2022 was the continued rise of alternative and decentralized platforms. As more and more users are vocal about privacy concerns, being advertised to, constant algorithm changes, and other reasons, new platforms that promise greater control over data and content began to gain popularity. These platforms, which often used blockchain technology to enable decentralized control, offered users a more personalized and secure social media experience.
I’ve been surfing the depths of the forums on Discord, Telegram, Reddit, and even Quora to find alternatives to today’s mainstream social media platforms. Peep the list 👀
Have you tried any of these? Better yet, will you give some of these a shot? Sometimes it’s good to give in to your FOMO, you know.
Lastly, One of the most talked-about changes in social media in 2022 was the rise of social media "addiction" and its effects on mental health. Speaking strictly as a millennial here, what started as a fad in my teenage years has now become my favorite “place” to hang out in (”Meta”phorically speaking 😏). However, for some, it’s more than just a tool used for socializing. There are people who can’t go without checking their social media feeds every few minutes. Social media affects how our brain works. In fact, social media becomes even more addictive when users follow certain accounts or post frequently to stay in touch with friends, to show off their status, to follow certain trends to “stay relevant”, and much more. As more social media users grow, addiction statistics will continue to rise.
As more and more people rely on social media for their daily interactions, there is growing concern about the negative effects of excessive use. In response, many social media platforms introduced new features and tools to help users manage their screen time and protect their mental health.
Early this year, Instagram expanded on the ‘Take A Break’ feature to limit the screen time of its users. Then later in June, Instagram introduced a lot more features to reinforce its commitment to ensuring its users don’t burn out using their platform. These included ‘Parental Supervision’ tools and creating a ‘Family Center’ through which parents around the world can set up tools with their teen(s) to supervise their Instagram experience. It includes setting time limits, being notified when their teen reports an account or post (and see the type of content), and much more.
Similar screen time restrictions are set up by TikTok, considering both platforms are some of the most addicting platforms out there.
Overall, 2022 was a year of significant change in the social media sphere. As users became more concerned about privacy, security, and mental health, social media platforms were forced to adapt and evolve (or are in the process of evolving) to meet these new challenges. If you have thoughts on this, let us know by tagging us.
To learn about upcoming influencer marketing trends, check out our latest report! 10 Trends To Ace Your 2023 Influencer Marketing Goals
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