Cam Wilson, Associate Editor and tech reporter at Crikey, dives into the shifting landscape of social media, as users flock to Bluesky, leaving X in their wake. He discusses whether this new platform is more than just a trend or if it’s truly a viable alternative. The conversation covers Bluesky's decentralized nature, its appeal to left-leaning users, and how it stacks up against other platforms like Mastodon and Threads. Explore the dynamics of social media evolution and user engagement in this vibrant discussion!
Proposed legislation aims to ban social media access for children under 16, raising concerns about enforcement and underlying issues.
Bluesky is gaining traction as a competitor to Twitter by offering decentralized features and attracting users frustrated with recent changes.
Deep dives
New Social Media Regulation for Teens
Proposed legislation is being introduced to ban social media access for children aged 16 and under on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok due to concerns about the harmful effects of social media on young people. The bill aims to enforce strict age restrictions, which will include hefty fines for companies that do not comply. However, the government has yet to clarify how these regulations will be enforced, leading to skepticism about their efficacy. Critics argue that bans won't necessarily resolve the underlying issues, as many challenges persist for users over the age of 16.
The Rise of Blue Sky as a Twitter Alternative
Blue Sky has emerged as a significant competitor to Twitter, particularly after users began seeking alternatives following changes implemented by Elon Musk. Originally conceived as a project within Twitter, Blue Sky has developed its own identity, offering a platform that is very similar in functionality to Twitter. Its user base has reportedly surged from 13 million to over 20 million, driven by frustrations with the direction Twitter has taken. Unlike Twitter, Blue Sky provides users with more control through a decentralized approach, allowing for customizable features and the potential to port content to other platforms.
The Changing Landscape of Social Media
The conversation around social media platforms suggests that we may be witnessing a bifurcation where spaces are shaped by political identities and preferences. While Blue Sky attracts users from specific political leanings, platforms like Threads and Mastodon also offer distinct experiences, albeit with varying degrees of popularity. Threads, launched by Meta, prioritizes a brand-friendly approach and downplays political discourse, while Mastodon appeals to more tech-savvy users with its decentralized model. As users continue to migrate to different platforms, key questions arise about the future and sustainability of dominant social media networks.
Headlines: Social media ban legislation to be introduced to parliament today, US closes embassy in Ukraine amid warnings of ‘significant air attack’, Hawthorn settles court case with previous Indigenous players, and who won big at the ARIA's last night?
Deep Dive: Celebrities, institutions and regular people have been abandoning X, formerly Twitter, and joining rival Bluesky in recent weeks.
Bluesky is one of a handful of short text social media alternatives that have had some success competing since Elon Musk bought X in 2022. But X still dominates the space. So is Bluesky a real, better alternative, or are those making the switch and proclaiming the death of X just virtue signalling?
On this episode of The Briefing, Bension Siebert is joined by Crikey’s associate editor and internet culture and tech reporter Cam Wilson to get his verdict on if Bluesky is living up to the hype, and if it will survive.