Absolutely. But I'm also old (45) I've been off social media for years now. The content became too manipulated by algorithms that it became useless to me. For

Absolutely. But I'm also old (45) I've been off social media for years now. The content became too manipulated by algorithms that it became useless to me. For me instant messaging services have filled the gap of keeping in touch with friends. And no algorithms means I know exactly who gets my message when. The benefit of IM services are also that users are more aware who they're sending stuff to. No more dumping every time you have dinner into the black hole that is social media. They don't do this because they are more aware they'd dumping that crap on real people and who don't like to see (too much of) this kind of stuff. All in all it's like social media but better and more direct. And all the distracting stuff like "Likes" and number of "Friends" are not represented. These were becoming a goal of their own wayyy too much. The only worry I have is... How long will it take Facebook and the like to screw IM up too by trying to build 'engagement'? Facebook itself was pretty good too when it still put people in touch without trying to further its own goals. And the age of 'buying marketshare' is kinda over, the market is quite established now. Meaning the 'extracting profit' phase will soon begin. Of course there's still good options on the market but it'll be hard to convince people to use them, just like it was hard to get people off Facebook until they made themselves impossible.