How much longer can Facebook stay relevant?

[Cedric]

We have to admit, Facebook has been a dominant force in social media for over a decade, but with the rise of new platforms and changing user habits, many are questioning its future. Younger generations are gravitating towards platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, while older users continue to make up the core of Facebook’s audience. You could say that Facebook has matured over the years since it was originally developed for kids. Add to that growing concerns about privacy, declining user trust, and regulatory pressures, and it raises the question: How much longer can Facebook stay relevant?

A few statistics to consider:

• According to data from 2023, Facebook still had 2.91 billion monthly active users worldwide, but its growth is slowing in key markets like North America and Europe.
• In the U.S., Facebook’s user base declined by 3% in 2022, with younger audiences (especially Gen Z) showing far less interest in the platform.
• Over 60% of teenagers in the U.S. said they prefer TikTok over Facebook, and Facebook ranks lower in popularity compared to Instagram and Snapchat for users under 25.

As more people turn to newer platforms and concerns about Facebook’s handling of data privacy persist, it’s worth asking: how much longer will Facebook continue to dominate, or will it fade into the background?

Questions to discuss:

• Do you think Facebook can reinvent itself to appeal to younger users, or will its audience continue to age?
• How do you see Facebook adapting in the face of rising competition from newer, more dynamic platforms?
• Could regulatory changes or ongoing controversies be the final straw that leads to Facebook’s decline?
• What role, if any, will Facebook play in the future of social media?

Feel free to hare your thoughts on Facebook’s future. Is it still a social media giant, or are its best days behind it?

 

[Num7]

Where I live, most people are on Facebook. Especially adults and retired people. (Teenagers don't use it as much it seems) And it's an absolute shithole. It's unbelievable how rude and retarded people are on there. No matter what you're looking at, don't open the comment section, man. You're going to see grown adults say stuff you wouldn't imagine.

15 years ago, still in my area, the Facebook crowd was slightly younger. Yeah, it was already pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as it is now.

I wouldn't complain if Facebook was to vanish. The only thing I'd miss would be Messenger, but hey, another app will take over, just like Messenger did when Microsoft killed MSN/Live Messenger.

 

[Bryn]

Facebook is still relevant? Say it ain't so!

Besides, I thought it would've vanished to thin air over the Cambridge Analytica scandal years ago...

 

[Cedric]

Where I live, most people are on Facebook. Especially adults and retired people. (Teenagers don't use it as much it seems) And it's an absolute shithole. It's unbelievable how rude and retarded people are on there. No matter what you're looking at, don't open the comment section, man. You're going to see grown adults say stuff you wouldn't imagine.

15 years ago, still in my area, the Facebook crowd was slightly younger. Yeah, it was already pretty bad, but not nearly as bad as it is now.

I wouldn't complain if Facebook was to vanish. The only thing I'd miss would be Messenger, but hey, another app will take over, just like Messenger did when Microsoft killed MSN/Live Messenger.

I completely agree. It's shocking how often you encounter really toxic comments on Facebook, especially towards people seeking advice or help. It seems like some people never face any consequences for their behavior and continue to be as toxic as ever. It's as if this kind of negativity is becoming normalized, with more and more people joining in and making it worse.

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if Facebook disappeared, as long as I could retrieve my photos before it does. As for Messenger, there are definitely better alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram, though both of those have their downsides too.

 

[Bryn]

there are definitely better alternatives like WhatsApp and Telegram

Telegram is only good for Putin sympathisers and general cyber criminals but... I wouldn't even touch it with an iron pole for those reasons.

 

[Cedric]

Telegram is only good for Putin sympathisers and general cyber criminals but... I wouldn't even touch it with an iron pole for those reasons.

Well yes, you need to be more careful. But their UIX is great, I love it.

 

[Num7]

Yeah, Telegram and WhatsApp are 2 great examples of contending DM apps. Both apps work great, but everyone I know is using Messenger. So I'm forced to use it too! That's too bad!

There's also Discord, which has a whole different flavor. Gotta say though, it's probably the closest (IMO) to MSN Messenger when it comes to 1 on 1 direct messaging. It's simple, fast and it has a great UI. To put things into perspective, well, even my mom loves it! LOL

 

[Cory]

I tried Facebook on about 5 different occasions and either deleted or deactivated my account every time I used it. I feel like many people on social media seek instant gratification and validation through the use of likes, and comments that praise them, and use them as a popularity contest. I even felt like I sought instant gratification when I used Facebook. Many social media sites are massive, so you are more likely to run into toxicity, trolling, flaming, and more.

If Facebook starts to cater to an older audience, it may continue to do so as people grow older. I don't necessarily see it going away. I think if a majority of the younger generations prefer other social media sites then it may continue to see a decline in activity because more younger generations are often attracted to the masses that social media vibe gives off. They seem more likely to "follow the crowd" than older people.

 

[Cpvr]

Facebook is still relevant? Say it ain't so!

Besides, I thought it would've vanished to thin air over the Cambridge Analytica scandal years ago...

They also got caught sharing messages with Netflix.
“By 2013, Netflix had begun entering into a series of “Facebook Extended API” agreements, including a so-called “Inbox API” agreement that allowed Netflix programmatic access to Facebook’s users' private message inboxes, in exchange for which Netflix would “provide to FB a written report every two weeks that shows daily counts of recommendation sends and recipient clicks by interface, initiation surface, and/or implementation variant (e.g., Facebook vs. non-Facebook recommendation recipients). ... In August 2013, Facebook provided Netflix with access to its so-called “Titan API,” a private API that allowed a whitelisted partner to access, among other things, Facebook users' “messaging app and non-app friends."

Facebook let Netflix see user DMs, quit streaming to keep Netflix happy: Lawsuit

Facebook Watch, Netflix were allegedly bigger competitors than they let on.

arstechnica.com

 

[Al]

I use Facebook for two things.

1) I use it to keep in touch with family and friends who live overseas or elsewhere in the country.
2) I use it to promote my projects. There's a huge audience to be leveraged.

I don't see it becoming irrelevant any time soon. People are disinterested in the politics behind Facebook. Scandals and things are generally ignored by the general Facebook populace. It's the same as when Musk took over Twitter. Sure, there was some raised eyebrows, but most Twitter users just don't give enough of a shit.