Today, instead of talking about the current social media (that’s all we do lately), let’s try and imagine their future and how they are likely to evolve? What is the next big platform look like?
The Social Media Landscape: A Quick Recap
Remember when Facebook was just for college students? Or when Instagram was just a simple photo-sharing app? Oh, and let’s not forget about the short-lived reign of Vine (may it rest in peace). The digital graveyard is full of dead social media platforms. Some left a mark on our lives, some went unnoticed. The question now is, what will the NEXT big platform look like?
The Next Big Thing: My Predictions
As someone who spends an unhealthy amount of time on social media (don’t judge, it’s for research), I have a few predictions about their future:
More immersive: First, I think the next big platform will be even more immersive. You won’t just be scrolling through feeds thanks to the magic of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR); instead, you’ll enter a world where friends turn into avatars or holograms and adventures—or simply just a virtual cup of coffee—await. It reminds me of “Ready Player One,” but without the apocalyptic vibes.
More personalized: Second, I believe the future of social media will be more personalized. Machine learning and AI, in general, are already giving platforms the ability to tailor content to our individual preferences, making our feeds more relevant and engaging. This trend will continue as the technology advanced, leading to ultra-personalized social media experiences.
More private: Finally, I believe that the next major platform will prioritise privacy. With all of the recent data breaches and privacy controversies, I believe (and hope) that future social networks will give us more control over our data. We don’t want another Cambridge Analyitica scanal happening again.
So, how will the next major social networking site look? If my predictions are true, it will be immersive, personalised, and focused on privacy. Unlike its predecessors, we should utilise it to connect, learn, and grow. Not to divide, spread misinformation and harm.