The current crisis faced by large social media platforms around the world raises a big question as to whether they will eventually cease to exist.

Are these social media platforms going down?

• Facebook, Twitter and Instagram face a period of uncertainty and adaptation.
• Older models of social media platforms may decline as user preferences change.
• Traditional features like browsing photos and friends’ updates are becoming less popular.
• Projections indicate that Facebook and Twitter could lose millions of users in the coming years.

What are the reasons for this decline?

• Failures to combat misinformation affect Twitter’s reputation.
• Neglect of user data privacy has damaged Facebook’s reputation.
• Users are tired of the dangerous conspiracy theories circulating on Twitter.
• People have become more discerning about where to invest their attention, especially after the pandemic.

Follow Evolution and Reinvention

• Social media platforms need to adapt to meet users’ changing needs.
• The emergence of new technologies and competitors has forced platforms like Instagram to evolve.
• Instead of disappearing, popular social media platforms have the potential to reinvent themselves.

What lies ahead for social media

Let’s explore whether social media platforms are collapsing and what their future holds.

Change of Scenario

• The landscape has changed since the early days of Facebook and Twitter.
• Technological advances such as smartphones, IoT and AI have transformed user expectations.

Extinction or an Adaptation?

• Although some social media giants face challenges, it is premature to predict their demise.
• Instagram has successfully incorporated TikTok features to stay relevant.
• Popular platforms have opportunities for reinvention rather than extinction.

The future and  evolution

The future of social media and how it may evolve over time.

The scenario in adaptations

• Social media platforms such as Meta (owner of Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp), Twitter, TikTok and YouTube (owned by Google) dominate the market.
• Although companies may go bankrupt or fade into obscurity like Orkut, the social networking concept will likely persist.
• Companies can change ownership and adapt to new times by incorporating new tools and resources.
• However, social media platforms may become less social as they are increasingly dominated by endorsements, sponsored posts and influencers.

Emerging Trends in Social Media

• Experts predict the emergence of smaller, niche networks where members share specific interests.
• Augmented reality and artificial intelligence are expected to play a more important role in interactions on social media platforms.
• Regulation is seen as inevitable for technology giants to maintain their position and for new platforms to emerge.
• Trust in what you see on social media is crucial, while guaranteeing democratic values ​​and freedom of expression.

The importance of regulation in social media

The importance of regulation in addressing issues related to misinformation and hate speech on social media platforms.

Misuse of social media

• It is undeniable that social media has been used maliciously to spread misinformation.
• In Brazil, it played a role in the election of a far-right populist leader in 2018 and was central to political developments in 2022.
• Legislation such as Brazil’s Fake News Bill aims to curb hate speech and the spread of fake news.
• The European Union has also passed laws such as the Digital Services Act to protect users’ freedom of expression while safeguarding against harmful content.

A global trend towards regulation

• The need for regulation is a consensus among researchers and experts.
• It is a global trend, with countries recognizing the importance of protecting users and creating opportunities for companies.
• The large technology companies behind popular social media platforms will have to adapt to these regulations to continue their operations.

Looking to the future

• Social media platforms may change ownership and incorporate new tools, but the concept of social media will persist.
• Smaller niche networks and advances in augmented reality and artificial intelligence are expected.
• Trust in what you see on social media is crucial, leading to the inevitability of regulation.
• The misuse of social media for disinformation has led countries such as Brazil and the European Union to enact legislation that addresses these issues.