Forums aren't as addictive as Social Media

[Cedric]

If you think logically, forums lack the "addictive" feature and aspect that social media has. There's nothing interesting nor rewarding to participate in forums. With Gen Z especially, social media feels like a game - likes, followers, shares, going viral. It gives people quick hits of validation, popularity, and clout. Forums, on the other hand, feel… quiet. Thoughtful, yes. But not addictive.

There’s no dopamine rush.
There’s no race for likes or followers.
There’s no algorithm feeding you endless content.

For a generation raised on digital affirmation, forums just don’t offer the same reward system. It's boring.

So here’s the question: Are forums too "boring" for modern internet culture?
Or do they need to evolve to stay relevant? If we need to evolve, how in earth could we ever make us popular again under the newer generations?

We often talk about gamifying their participation, but can we ever compete with the social media level?

Or is that exactly what forums shouldn’t be?

 

[InMyOpinion]

Great points brought up here! It’s true that forums don’t have the same instant gratification features that social media platforms offer, especially with the focus on likes, shares, and followers. The "dopamine rush" that social media gives is hard to compete with, especially for younger generations who have grown up with that validation system.

However, I think forums still have a unique value that sets them apart from social media. Forums offer a more focused, in-depth space for discussion, where people can really engage with ideas and build long-term connections. The "quiet" aspect is actually one of their strengths as it allows for more thoughtful exchanges that social media can’t always provide. While it may not have the same instant rewards, the satisfaction of meaningful discussions and community-building can be just as fulfilling, if not more so.

To stay relevant, forums might need to adapt in certain ways. That doesn’t necessarily mean copying the social media model but finding ways to engage users in a more dynamic, rewarding manner. Gamification, as you mentioned, could be a part of that so adding elements like badges, leaderboards, or challenges could incentivize participation in a more meaningful way.

Ultimately, forums don’t need to compete with social media at its own game. The goal should be to highlight what makes forums unique which is the depth of conversation and community and find ways to build upon that to attract younger generations. They may not provide the same instant rewards, but the value of engaging in a space that fosters thoughtful discussion could be the key to their continued relevance.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

That's what I like about forums.

You can take a break and come back and easily find where you left off.

On social media, if you stay away for too long, you probably won't be able to find what you were discussing in the past tense. That's the gamification of social media. That's how they get you hooked to it. Virality.

If forums got that way, I don't think I would like them as much.

 

[Cpvr]

Honestly, social media and forums aren’t the same. We shouldn’t be trying to chase the social media crowd. We can only focus on driving their members to our communities the best way we know how with good content. The addiction of social media’s platform is due to their feeds.

The algorithm of social media keeps users glued to the platforms, forums don’t have them. We’re unique in that sense. We have a better community building bonding phase than them.

The day we start trying to be more like social media is the day we lose the very essence that made forums popular to begin with.

Forums birthed social media, without forums, social media wouldn’t exist.

We can implemented badges, achievements and utilize our likes/reactions features a lot more often to enable of our forums to seem like social
Media.

The best way we can hook more users to forums is by offering more in depth content. Such as, video content and content that contains images. We don’t need to replicate social media ever. They can’t stick to their side and forums will continue to thrive on their own.

 

[Ravenfreak]

I don't know, when I was younger I would always rush to go to the computer so I could get on a forum and start posting. Either way it is true that forums aren't as addicting as social media is. This is a good thing though, you don't get brain rot while browsing a forum because you actually have to think before you post. (I probably sound like an old fart saying that though lol.) You could add badges to your forum that could bring in more members since they would be rewarded by posting or doing other tasks. Plus there are forum software out there like NodeBB and Discourse that have endless scrolling implemented.

 

[Shortie]

I guess with forums, at least I know I can take a break and no matter how long the break, when I come back, it is like I never left and I can go back to where I left it and just continue.

With social media, it is as you say a lot different and more addictive, not only for the likes, shares, and even posts going viral, but also because you know when you leave, people will forget, or even unfollow you based on the fact that you are no longer active. That doesn't happen on forums.