Is Social Media Becoming Less Social? With brand ads and influencer posts crowding public feeds, many users are moving to private chats and groups to escape the noise. A recent study from the University of Michigan shows that people are turning to these more personal spaces to avoid the polarization and algorithm-driven content that dominates traditional social media.

This doesn’t mean social media is dying, but it is changing. In these private spaces—like WhatsApp, Telegram, or closed Facebook groups—posts appear in chronological order, without algorithms deciding what you see. Users feel more in control of the information they receive, and conversations flow more naturally.

Bounded places

The study points out that these “bounded social media places” are popular for connecting with family, friends, and people with shared interests. They’re especially useful for discussing sensitive issues such as mental health, LGBTQ+ identity, and infertility.

While these private spaces help people maintain relationships and offer support, they aren’t free from problems. Women and people of color still face harassment, and there’s a risk of forming echo chambers where users only interact with like-minded people.

As more users retreat to these closed spaces, social media is becoming more fragmented. Though these places offer more privacy and control, they also raise concerns about exclusion and limiting the diversity of ideas.