Enshittification”: Why Social Platforms Are Declining and How Users Can Fight Back
A new term, “enshittification,” is gaining attention to describe the gradual decline in the quality of popular social media platforms and digital services. The concept highlights how platforms, over time, become cluttered with ads, push aggressive monetization strategies, reduce user-friendly features, and prioritize corporate profits over user experience. Critics argue that this degradation affects not only social interactions but also digital transactions and overall online engagement. Interestingly, the creator of the term emphasizes that this decline is deliberate, driven by a cycle where platforms initially attract users, then maximize revenue, and eventually compromise the experience that drew people in. However, experts and users note that pushing back is possible through conscious choices: supporting alternatives, demanding better governance, and being selective about data and engagement. The discussion around enshittification underscores a growing awareness of how digital ecosystems evolve and the power users hold to influence them.
