Core Insights - The article discusses the decline of social media usage, particularly among young adults, indicating a shift away from platforms that once thrived on user engagement and attention [1][3][4]. Group 1: Decline of Social Media Engagement - By the end of 2024, the average daily time spent on social media by adults aged 16 and above in developed countries is projected to drop to 2 hours and 20 minutes, a nearly 10% decrease compared to two years prior [3]. - The article highlights a significant drop of over 25% in users engaging with social media for purposes like "keeping in touch with friends" or "self-expression" since 2014, while passive users seeking to "kill time" have increased [5][6]. - Young users are increasingly disengaging from traditional social media, with a notable rise in the use of ephemeral content features, such as Instagram's "close friends" function, which surged by 217% [7][8]. Group 2: Content Quality and AI Impact - The rise of generative AI has led to a proliferation of low-quality, "super-processed content," which contributes to a decline in meaningful engagement on social media platforms [9][10]. - The article describes a phenomenon where real creators are forced to mimic machine-like behaviors to survive in a competitive environment, leading to a dilution of genuine connections [11][12]. - The prioritization of sensational content over quality has created a vicious cycle, driving away quality users and further degrading the content ecosystem [13]. Group 3: Emergence of New Social Structures - The decline of traditional social media has not resulted in its demise but has instead fostered the rise of more vibrant, community-oriented platforms where users seek deeper connections [14][15]. - Young users are increasingly aware of privacy risks and prefer to create closed circles for sharing transient content, reflecting a desire for digital sovereignty [16][22]. - The emergence of vertical communities signifies a return to meaningful connections, with examples of successful niche groups demonstrating the value of deep relationships over broad reach [17][23]. Group 4: New Business Models and Value Creation - The shift in social media dynamics is reshaping the underlying logic of the digital economy, moving from a focus on traffic to a focus on relationship quality [18][19]. - Community-driven business models are emerging, where value is derived from trust and engagement rather than mere traffic metrics [19][20]. - The article suggests that technology's role is being redefined, with AI applications in areas like elder care showing potential for positive impact, contrasting with the negative implications of AI in social media [20].