The thing is, say you meet someone for the first time irl. Next day, you’re interested maintaining some sort of connection with them but you don’t have their phone number, only their name. What do you do? Search for them on Instagram. There’s no way you will be finding them on say Mastodon or Pixelfed, especially in developing countries where for 99% of the people, Facebook = The whole ass internet. That’s the harsh truth. I use instagram only to maintain those not so close friendships and connections, and by “maintain” I mean follwing them and liking their posts from time to time. I might open IG once or twice in a week from the browser. As for Facebook, I deleted my account a while ago.
you’re interested maintaining some sort of connection with them but you don’t have their phone number
Well I’m not an expert on any form of relationships, but why not simply ask for the number?
Yes that’s the ideal goal, I should always keep that in mind. But what about the people who are looking for YOU on social media? Or what about your long lost childhood friends who you never exchanged phone numbers with? Instagram can thus be a back up; but ultimately you’re right.
I’m certainly more of an exception than a rule regarding those types of relationships, but I use a personal website instead of any social media to publish my projects (I also refer to it when applying to jobs) and frankly don’t give a damn about any childhood friends.
But I can see why, this approach may already be too “radical” for many people.
Your use case could be covered without instagram account by the following:
Android: Feedsta
Desktop: Bibliogram
You could deactivate it at least and try to use the above for 2 weeks if it does satisfy your needs, then go on and delete it as it will benefit your privacy and mental health more than you think despite the cons of not having an account.
I used to use both Bibliogram and Barinsta but both are not functioning anymore due to Facebook’s aggressive ratelimiting. There’s no more feeds on all bibliogram instances I tried and barinsta’s anonymous browsing doesn’t work anymore. I will look at feedsta though.
I’m trying to lock down Instagram, but my friends don’t believe in privacy. It’s really the only way I can communicate with them online.
Put it on ethics and mental health: say how proprietary platforms don’t give a damn about any of their users, and won’t think twice about abusing them (with vendor lock-in, ads, and, most importantly, causing addiction just to make you use them more so they can milk you for money)
Also, maybe explain how moderation on there is an absolute turd, with platforms often punishing users which break their ToS less, if those users make a lot of money to the platform (think influencers); unlike on decentralized platforms, where you can choose an instance where the rules satifsy you and you see the moderators working good.
Put it on ethics and mental health: say how proprietary platforms don’t give a damn about any of their users, and won’t think twice about abusing them (with vendor lock-in, ads, and, most importantly, causing addiction just to make you use them more so they can milk you for money)
The fact is, most people don’t care, it’s a big hassle (and I get it, personally). So it doesn’t work, it’s just that simple.
I actually do know that… but it still has higher probability of convincing someone, compared to privacy
That’s actually sadly real, and I can’t emphasize “sadly” enough 😅
I have a friend that about 3 years ago introduced me to libre software. At that time, she used very few proprietary garbage. From about a year though she went back to using Instagram (why???) and other stuff (not only social networks, but things like messaging apps, which is a bit less bad), but luckily still prefers libre software when possible.
I still have to thank her for being so insistent at the time about “you have to remove google play services!!!” and other stuff. Even if she is now cringe, and not a based free software purist anymore, it’s partly thanks to her that I’m now a more aware computer user.
Thanks!
I think that the optimal solution to what you are describing is to push them to another platform like signal and to start lowering your activity on Instagram till you have another communication tool with them and then delete your Instagram.
If they do not want to move, then you have to choose either your privacy or their convenience .
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