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This year has been marked by significant shifts, from the looming TikTok ban in the US, underscoring the rise of geopolitical tensions around data privacy and platform ownership, to strict social media age restrictions in Australia, reflecting a universal push for safer online spaces for younger users. The digital landscape is evolving fast, reshaping how we connect, consume information, and share our lives. Looking at 2025, we can expect platforms and user behaviour to change even more, addressing demands for authenticity, safety, and ethical practices. Existing issues like misinformation, algorithmic transparency, and data privacy will continue to be critical for us to make changes.
What kind of internet do we want to create as we move forward? Ideally, it’s a space for genuine connection, shared knowledge, and meaningful discovery, with its core purpose of empowering humanity. Yet, as trust in traditional media declines, many of us seek information through alternative sources, raising new questions about credibility and the role that platforms play in shaping discourse and culture online.
In 2025, social media will move beyond the “one-size-fits-all” model, with platforms increasingly creating spaces for specific communities and interests. For example, sites like Letterboxd have gained popularity among Gen-Z as places where people can have fun online without being sucked into endless-scroll algorithmic feeds. These niche platforms foster connections based on shared hobbies, values, or goals, giving us an alternative to the overwhelming noise of the mainstream platforms that most of us use daily. It’s a welcome change that feels more intentional, allowing for real connections and discovery instead of scrolling through useless content.
AI-powered personalization will continue to advance, creating feeds that feel like they’re made just for you. Algorithms analyse our preferences and behaviors to curate content that aligns with our interests. On one hand, this makes the user experience smoother and more engaging by cutting out useless content. AI moderation tools also remove harmful content and misinformation more efficiently. This will spark even more debates about algorithmic biases and the line between content moderation and censorship.
However, hyper-personalization doesn’t come without risks, like getting trapped in echo chambers or contributing to the “flattening” of culture. When algorithms dictate what we see, opportunities for discovery shrink, and everything starts to look the same. We have to find a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility, creating experiences that are smart and tailored to us while saving room for exploration and discovery.
Users are adopting healthier, more intentional ways to engage online. Trends we can see in Arca’s TikTok comments reflect this shift. More people are deleting apps, setting screen time limits, and reducing the amount they post. This growing awareness of the harm excessive screen time has on our mental health has led to a focus on mindful engagement instead of endless scrolling. This movement connects to the rising demand for transparency. Both users and governments are urging platforms to explain how algorithms work, clarify advertising targets, and reveal how user data is utilized. As the harm of doom scrolling becomes more widespread, understanding the machines shaping our content feeds has become necessity.
Furthermore, there’s been a clear shift from polished, “perfect” content. Instead, we gravitate toward more real, authentic posts reflecting actual life. In 2025, this trend is set to grow as people focus less on personal content and more on curating interests, discoveries, and ideas they care about. This shift allows us to stay engaged online without the pressure of putting our personal lives or faces on display.
As we consider these trends, we ask: How can we collectively shape the internet into a place that serves our interests? Whether it’s through fostering genuine connections, ensuring ethical innovation, or innovating discovery in a world dominated by algorithms, our choices today will define the digital landscape of the future.
Each step forward challenges us to connect innovation with responsibility, ensuring the internet continues to evolve as a space for discovery, learning, and trust. Together, we can make 2025 a year where our digital experiences reflect our values.
What kind of internet do we want to create as we move forward? Ideally, it’s a space for genuine connection, shared knowledge, and meaningful discovery, with its core purpose of empowering humanity. Yet, as trust in traditional media declines, many of us seek information through alternative sources, raising new questions about credibility and the role that platforms play in shaping discourse and culture online.
In 2025, social media will move beyond the “one-size-fits-all” model, with platforms increasingly creating spaces for specific communities and interests. For example, sites like Letterboxd have gained popularity among Gen-Z as places where people can have fun online without being sucked into endless-scroll algorithmic feeds. These niche platforms foster connections based on shared hobbies, values, or goals, giving us an alternative to the overwhelming noise of the mainstream platforms that most of us use daily. It’s a welcome change that feels more intentional, allowing for real connections and discovery instead of scrolling through useless content.
AI-powered personalization will continue to advance, creating feeds that feel like they’re made just for you. Algorithms analyse our preferences and behaviors to curate content that aligns with our interests. On one hand, this makes the user experience smoother and more engaging by cutting out useless content. AI moderation tools also remove harmful content and misinformation more efficiently. This will spark even more debates about algorithmic biases and the line between content moderation and censorship.
However, hyper-personalization doesn’t come without risks, like getting trapped in echo chambers or contributing to the “flattening” of culture. When algorithms dictate what we see, opportunities for discovery shrink, and everything starts to look the same. We have to find a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility, creating experiences that are smart and tailored to us while saving room for exploration and discovery.
Users are adopting healthier, more intentional ways to engage online. Trends we can see in Arca’s TikTok comments reflect this shift. More people are deleting apps, setting screen time limits, and reducing the amount they post. This growing awareness of the harm excessive screen time has on our mental health has led to a focus on mindful engagement instead of endless scrolling. This movement connects to the rising demand for transparency. Both users and governments are urging platforms to explain how algorithms work, clarify advertising targets, and reveal how user data is utilized. As the harm of doom scrolling becomes more widespread, understanding the machines shaping our content feeds has become necessity.
Furthermore, there’s been a clear shift from polished, “perfect” content. Instead, we gravitate toward more real, authentic posts reflecting actual life. In 2025, this trend is set to grow as people focus less on personal content and more on curating interests, discoveries, and ideas they care about. This shift allows us to stay engaged online without the pressure of putting our personal lives or faces on display.
As we consider these trends, we ask: How can we collectively shape the internet into a place that serves our interests? Whether it’s through fostering genuine connections, ensuring ethical innovation, or innovating discovery in a world dominated by algorithms, our choices today will define the digital landscape of the future.
Each step forward challenges us to connect innovation with responsibility, ensuring the internet continues to evolve as a space for discovery, learning, and trust. Together, we can make 2025 a year where our digital experiences reflect our values.
