by Chris Ward, MyCustomer (excerpt)

This recent MyCustomer article examines whether brands should respond to the present social media controversies by abandoning platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Brian Solis comments on the crisis, arguing that recent events present a sea change in public opinion about the once-popular platforms.

From the article:

Seismic shift for social?

Author and futurist, Brian Solis, believes social networks are in the throes of an existential crisis unlike anything previously experienced, and that Wetherspoon’s announcement is the latest in a long line of recent events that are indicative of a change in public mood towards social networks.

“10 years ago social media was predicted to be used in terms of positive propaganda and help people become more productive and build a better society.

“But even as a hopeless optimist I can see that social media is exposing gaps in society.

“Just last December we had Chamath Palihapitiya, a former VP at Facebook, saying social media is ripping apart society. Then we have had Cambridge Analytica, the issue with bots and all the while there’s seemingly no one taking accountability for their own behaviour right now because social media is still seen as ‘new’ and something of a social experiment.”