Gabbie Romano is a prominent member of the “Bagels Who Discuss” Facebook Group, providing support and advice to fellow members in the Chapel Hill-Durham area in North Carolina. She shifted her focus from Instagram to smaller online communities like Facebook Groups and subreddits due to the negative atmosphere and comparison culture on Instagram that affected her mental health. This migration to smaller online spaces is a trend observed by social media reporter, leading to an exploration of the popularity and sustainability of these platforms.
Small social media platforms, like subreddits and Facebook Groups, offer users the opportunity to connect with smaller groups of people who share similar interests or goals. Platforms like Discord have millions of users participating in smaller group servers, fostering more one-on-one interactions. Independent platforms such as Letterboxd and Archive of Our Own cater to specific interests, creating niche communities within a larger user base. Invite-only apps like Lapse and neighborhood-focused platforms like Nextdoor also contribute to the rise of small online communities.
People are drawn to small social platforms for various reasons, including mental health concerns, productivity issues, and a desire for community. While big platforms prioritize discovery and entertainment content, smaller spaces offer a more intimate setting for connection and support. These communities often share common values and beliefs, creating a sense of safety and shared understanding that is lacking on larger platforms.
However, small online spaces are not immune to challenges. The homophily within niche communities can lead to echo chambers and the normalization of harmful ideas, including misinformation and conspiracy theories. Platforms like Facebook, with its community guidelines and moderation teams, ensure a level of oversight and safety that may be lacking in smaller spaces. Admins and moderators play a crucial role in maintaining healthy online communities but often do so on a voluntary basis, without proper resources or support.
As people continue to seek out smaller online communities, these spaces are evolving into essential components of the social media landscape alongside big platforms like TikTok and Discord. Legislation and regulation of social media platforms must consider the diversity and importance of these smaller spaces in people’s online lives. The underlying motivation for joining niche communities lies in the desire for genuine connections and supportive environments, which may be lacking in larger platforms focused on entertainment and discovery.
The future of social media may involve a balance between big platforms and smaller, community-driven spaces. While platforms like Instagram and Twitter have strayed from their original community-focused goals, alternatives like Discord and Substack offer opportunities for meaningful connections and interactions. Understanding the value of these smaller online spaces is crucial for navigating the evolving social media landscape and ensuring a healthy online environment for all users.
