After disrupting social media by shunning perfectly curated feeds, BeReal's daily user number has plummeted. Growing frustrations with users exploiting the app's features and not being ‘real’ means the platform's own authenticity is in question, highlighting social media's authenticity paradox.

BeFake encourages people to input prompts and share augmented visuals generated by artificial intelligence (AI) with others. Leveraging AI to propagate imaginary or fantasised narratives could be controversial, with many people still grappling with rapid technological advances.

With a focus on community building and discussions around topics of interest, Mastodon’s model has become a credible rival to Twitter. What does its popularity say about people’s evolving social media desires? And how can brands engage with users in more decentralized online spaces?

Every major social media channel has at least one problem that threatens to drive users away, whether it’s questionable data collection practices or a toxic virtual atmosphere. As people begin to question the value of mainstream platforms, where are they finding a sense of connectedness online?