The Social Media Recession is Real "Too many voices, not enough filters": Social media has democratised content creation, but it has also allowed people with no formal expertise to present themselves as authorities, leading to conflicting and confusing narratives. Algorithmic amplification: Algorithms often reward outrage, fear, and extreme viewpoints because they drive engagement, which can make balanced and nuanced discussions less visible. Misinformation and fake influencers: The rise of bots and bad actors, combined with deceptive "influencers" and the "illusion of transparency," erodes trust in the information shared online. Information overload and fatigue: Constantly being bombarded with information, from entertainment to politics, can lead to burnout and a desire to disengage from social media altogether. Polarisation and negativity: The often-polarising political climate and the general negativity on social media can make users cynical and distrustful of all media sources. Shift to private spaces: As public social feeds become less trustworthy, users are retreating into private direct messages and smaller groups. This creates a challenge for brands, as they can no longer reach audiences in these protected spaces. Welcome to the future of social media. Media.com Trust the Source