The Twilight of Social Media: Algorithms, Fakes, and a Glimpse of Hope

This article examines the current state and future of social media platforms. Overwhelmed by AI-generated spam, fake accounts, and the 'bot-girl economy', genuine human interaction is increasingly sidelined by algorithmic prioritization. Platforms, chasing engagement metrics, disregard authenticity and value, leading to declining user experience and engagement. The article suggests a future of decentralized, smaller-scale social media focusing on genuine interaction within niche communities. It advocates for a public-service model, algorithm transparency, and improved digital literacy to reshape the digital landscape.