SHAKING THE TREE ... #19
Why I’m holding off on signing up for Threads.
Threads is Facebook's all new, all singing, all dancing alternative to Twitter that’s been in the works for some time is now out there, pulling in new users like gangbusters.
at the time of writing this, and according to at least one report, the better part of 100 million people have already signed up for Threads.
But for the time being, I won’t be joining the ranks..
I get that Threads promises a new social media experience.
I get that one billionaire gets to stick it to another (rich man’s problems and all that).
And I get that it’s new, shiny, and oh, so alluring.
However, as a Facebook—excuse me, META product—, and given Facebook’s scattered record on privacy—I’ll be holding off on signing up until the end of the year.
Here’s why:
First, I think it's important to consider the potential drawbacks of adding yet another social media platform to my list of things I’m visible on, or that I contribute to, or that in some way or other that I’ve got to keep an eye on.
Frankly, I’m tired. In fact, I’m exhausted!
It’s bad enough keeping up with the demands of a full time job, AND feeling I have to be visible on LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook (do I really though? No. Not really … I’ve made a rod for my own back, something I suspect is true for millions of other social media users).
More importantly though, my priorities lie elsewhere, namely, being a decent, loving, supportive husband; keeping up with chores at home; finding time to relax; finding time to grow as a person; finding time to sleep, eat, and shop for groceries, and all while being OK with whatever else is happening in life and while also trying not to worry too much about health, retirement, and dreams, and finding time to write Shaking the Tree.
Life is busy.
And life is simply too short to add yet another digital distraction.
So, at the moment, Threads doesn’t aligns with my life, my love, and and my pursuit of happiness preferences, let alone my immediate goals for social media.
My other concerns include:
Privacy. In recent years has become a major concern in the digital age. Given Facebook's less than stellar history in terms of privacy breaches and data mishandling, I’m approaching their new platform with caution. Before joining Threads I’ll be thoroughly assessing the platforms’s privacy settings, its data collection policies, and its user consent protocols as implemented by Facebook. By waiting, I plan on gathering more information about how Threads will handle user data so I can make an informed decision based on hard evidence.
Trust. To put it bluntly, Facebook's track record in maintaining user trust has been questionable at best. The controversies surrounding the Cambridge Analytica scandal alone ought to be enough to trigger alarm bells over Facebook’s behind the scenes policies on targeted advertising and content manipulation. Let’s be honest here: Facebook has struggled to get, keep, and regain user confidence. I think it’s prudent to keep an eye on how Threads will address trust issues moving forward, and it’s going to be interesting to see how transparent the platform is and whether Threads/Facebook/Meta/Instagram (take your pick) will actively be addressing users' concerns. I for one want to know things are stable before I entrust them with my personal information and content.
User base and engagement: When considering any new platform—social media or otherwise—both the size in terms of the number of users and the engagement levels of those users are crucial factors. Engagement to my mind describes how receptive any given group of people is to any given kind of content, how responsive they are, and how involved they are. Are people commenting on posts? Are they sharing posts? Are they reacting to posts and if they are, how are they reacting? OK, so 100 million people have signed up for Threads, but given the number of hucksters, scammers, trolls, haters, and bots there are on Twitter and elsewhere, how many of these new accounts are backed up by someone with a heartbeat and an opinion? While Threads might offer a fresh alternative to Twitter in the short term, it’s going to take time for it to gain traction and establish an active user community. By holding off on signing up, I’ll be monitoring the platform's growth, evaluating user reviews, and deciding if the current user base aligns with my interests, networking needs, and online social experience expectations.
Feature set and innovation: Although Threads is positioned as an alternative to Twitter, I think it’s essential to assess whether the platform offers enough unique features to justify switching right out of the gate. You might want to evaluate the available functionalities, the overall content types, the platform’s customization options, and its overall user experience. I’ll be looking to see when, where, and how Threads will introduce meaningful innovations that set it apart from other existing social media platforms, and I’ll be waiting to assess user feedback to see if Threads provides enough added value to make it worth my time and effort.
Content moderation and policy enforcement: While I’m all for freedom of speech, there has to be a line somewhere as to what’s acceptable and what isn’t. Maintaining a healthy online environment is crucial for the users of any social media platform, old or new. Over the last few years, Facebook has faced numerous challenges in effectively moderating the content it allows and in its enforcing policies, often resulting in widespread waves of unhelpful and potentially dangerous disinformation, misinformation, hate speech, and other harmful content. I’d like to know how Threads will be handling these kinds of issues in terms of what’s allowed, content moderation wise, and how the platform will tackle misinformation while ensuring a safe and inclusive digital space for its users. Waiting will give more insights into how the platform addresses these issues and whether it aligns with my values and expectations.
Interoperability and cross-platform integration: Before committing to Threads, I’ll also be considering how it integrates with other social media platforms and my overall online presence. Facebook owns a diverse ecosystem of apps and services, including Instagram and WhatsApp. By waiting, I hope to get a better idea as to when, how, and whether Threads will seamlessly integrate with these platforms and how it will provide cross-platform functionality. Threads needs to complement my existing social media presence instead of creating needless fragmentation.
Long-term viability: Because social media is highly competitive environment at some point a handful of platforms will either become less relevant, or they’ll fail. Despite its Meta backing, I’ll be looking at the long-term viability of Threads and whether it can maintain its relevance and user base over time. It’s going to be interesting to see how Threads fares in the competitive market, and just what its potential is for growth, sustainability, and overall success.
So, while Threads might seem enticing in the short run, I’ll be holding off on signing up. Assessing the platform’s privacy concerns, trust issues, user engagement, feature set, content moderation, cross-platform integration, and long-term viability is going to take time and I think it’s wise to step back before thinking Threads is the right social media platform for me.
You may disagree, and that’s fine. By waiting, I hope to make an informed decision that aligns with my needs, preferences, and concerns regarding the platform’s presence in my social media activities.
As always, thanks for reading.
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P.S. Next time on Shaking the Tree … How to create better content, part 2