to think that social media is on it's way out for young people

[pettyjetty]

I have noticed that many young people seem to have stopped using social media. AIBU to think (hope) we're entering the age of privacy once more? I really hope so, but has anyone else noticed their kids using SM less?

They aren’t using less social media, they’re using different social media

Exactly. DD is 22 and uses Snapchat all the time. She has Facebook and Instagram, but never posts on them. We usually comminucate via Messenger. She doesn't use WhatsApp. She did used to post on TikTok during the first lockdown, but she says she has grown out of it.

According to her Facebook is for old people.

An 11 year old isn't old enough for social media.

Unfortunately not. DD had a terrible row with a university course group who insisted they communicate on SnapChat. Completely in-approriate. Eventually she managed to get them onto WhatsApp, so at least there was a paper trail of work, but they refused to use email.

I did say earlier, I am referring to posting on ALL social media. (definitely not Facebook).

Was talking about this with DD (16). She suggested that the age that children get their first phone is getting younger and younger - when she was at primary school hardly anyone had a smartphone, but now it seems quite common from about age 9 or even younger. This means they go through the "overexcited to have a phone" phrase earlier, before settling in to using SM in a more everyday way, and then phase out of using it as it becomes a less important part of their life. Therefore young adults are less likely to be regularly obsessed with SM.

She also pointed out that in her generation people are much more aware of how toxic SM can be and are starting to self regulate. DS (18) has un-downloaded tiktok after being glued to it for the last year.

(I didn't realise my DD was so insightful ...)