alt Hacker NewsI think you're mixing a few things here. There's social media (TikTok, Instagram, X, viral crap) and then there's social media (organize parties, facebook marketplace, Whatsapp, etc).
They may share a technology platform, but they are not the same.
If you have children you'll see social media (#2) is incredibly useful and facilitates greatly in communication. We're much more connected than our parents were thanks to these apps.
Facebook is rapidly moving away from effective communication. AI slop, AI posters, and algorithmic preferences for decisiveness over local community with engagement farming algorithms. If the communication medium you use is turning toxic, it’s imperative to find alternatives before communication breaks down and a switch becomes impossible.