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14 Finite social networks
Finite social networks
Social networks are channeling the concept of less is more.
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Social media has a bad rap, from promoting addictive behaviors and sleep deprivation to causing anxiety and depression. And yet globally, in 2021, there are billions of monthly active users on Facebook and Instagram, over 300 million monthly active users on Twitter, and, according to a September report from the company, one billion monthly active users on TikTok.
A number of apps such as Social Fever, Offtime and Freedom aim to pry eyeballs away from social media by limiting usage. But what if social platforms had fewer, more curated posts instead? This is where Minus comes in. The platform, created by Ben Grosser to challenge existing social network models, only allows users to have 100 posts for life. Self-dubbed a “finite social network,” the platform aims to raise the quality of content through limitations.
Similarly, Thursday is a dating app that is only live on one day of the week. Launched in May 2021, the company was created to counter online dating fatigue. The app hopes to boost matches, conversations and dating opportunities by limiting its usage to one day a week. Prior to launch, over 100,000 curious singles had already signed up.
Why it’s interesting Companies are seeking to cut through the noise and endless stream of online content by installing restrictive parameters that prompt new behaviors—thus promoting a healthier and more mindful approach to the future of social networking.
