Where to go after Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or X?

We’re tired of social media, but what can we do? Should we just abandon all these platforms?

What about our communication with friends who live far away? And how do we see what that athlete, actor, or actress, etc., is up to?

The Guardian published an article about alternatives for those who want something different.

One of the most interesting points of the article was the argument justifying the end of fact-checking to prioritize “freedom of speech.” X did the same, but to explain why it doesn’t act on the proliferation of publications with misinformation and hate speech.

Zuckerberg, founder of Meta, replaced the fact-checking of the platforms with “community notes,” following X’s practice. That means users can add context to posts.

Meanwhile, Meta will see revenue growth through increased boosting of political content on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads. As if that weren’t bad enough, they also decided to remove restrictions on issues like immigration and gender.

It’s easy to understand all these changes that use the argument of freedom of speech, while generating political propaganda platforms that reflect the positioning of their owners or leaders, or that don’t dare challenge the Trump administration.

However, we need to understand that many of the changes only refer to the US, according to experts. In theory, users in EU countries are protected by European legislation. But in practice, these US Big Tech companies have been warned and fined by the EU for not complying with the regulations in force in the Old Continent.

Just in case, the exodus has already begun, and many people have joined networks like BlueSky or Mastodon. The question remains: what do I do with my network of contacts if I leave?

• Inform your followers. People follow authenticity, not platforms, so it’s best to tell them what you’re going to do and even explain your reasons.
• Create an email list. Reach cannot depend on social media.
• Start publishing on alternative platforms immediately. It’s possible to maintain an online presence, simply by changing where you do it. Use your own website. For those who publish content for a brand or product, or even for the pleasure of sharing, it’s good to remember that social media is a borrowed or rented space; the website belongs to whoever buys it.
• Let go gradually. Instead of cutting back drastically all at once, organize a gradual exit.
• Define what matters. In addition to creating focus, prioritize content, community, and the impact of using the platforms.