“Facebook is for the old guys and Instagram is for Gen-Z”
This narrative has been around for a long time, whether we know it or not. There are many who interpret usin Facebook as a sign of an outdated or running behind personality.
What is the truth behind this? Are Instagram users very progressive and up-to-date? Or are there also distorted spaces that cause social damage? How does the difference between Facebook and Instagram contribute to the toxic spaces or brain rot they have? Let’s take a quick look!
Interface Difference in a “Post”
Let’s take just one word, “Post”. Now, bring a post of both to mind. First, let’s go to Instagram, how does an Instagram post look like? A photo, and a caption below. If it comes to the caption, it is not mandatory, in short, it is not ugly even if you upload only the photo. Sometimes the entire content may be in the image itself. If there is something to write in the caption, it should be less than 2200 characters.
But is this the case when it comes to Facebook? First ‘Write Something’ and now ‘What’s on your mind?’ is even the motto of the Facebook posting section. That is, Facebook welcomes captions and other writings along with photos. You can publish any number of long essays on Facebook without any character or word limits. What’s more, even your own beautiful photos without captions are a disgrace to Facebook.
In short, a generation that is interested in short content but is reluctant and tired of reading long articles is being molded through Instagram.
Algorithm Differences & Social Interaction Spaces
For someone who does not have technical knowledge, the shortest and easiest definition of the word Algorithm is “What do we see in the feed?”.
But in addition to ads and posts, there is another phenomenon in Facebook feeds, Groups. Yes, Facebook Groups are something that has a great influence on one’s activities, reactions, and even thoughts. In addition to this, things from the algorithm that are not related to us reach us through our friends through the ‘share option’. Similarly, one’s stance is the total amount that a person takes in the diverse narratives that come in the spaces and comment boxes.
But on Instagram, there is no opportunity or such spaces. It is not possible to evaluate a very large comment box or make long comments due to interface limitations. Instead, we are fed exactly what content we like, in a very short format. The next set of interests will come in 4-5 days without giving scope for further explorations. This is the loop in which internet phenomena like Brain Rot have emerged.
In fact, social media platforms are only changing, and there are no major changes other than interface differences for its flawed spaces. As the name suggests, it is the duty of each of us to make the necessary contributions to a better society in the society-developing spaces called social media.
Be responsible for what you post!!
©Devadath M