Social network Reddit recently began blocking mobile visitors to its website while pushing them to download the official Reddit app, and it's fair to say that the move is not going down well with users. If you visit reddit.com on your iPhone today, you may see a new popup that can't be dismissed, asking you to "get the app to keep using Reddit".
    • Dsklnsadog@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      1·
      3 months ago

      We need to stop using Reddit, WhatsApp, and YouTube… but we can’t.

      That’s the real problem. These platforms stopped being “apps” a long time ago. They’re infrastructure now. Reddit is search results, tech support, product reviews, niche communities. WhatsApp is family, work, school, doctors, landlords. YouTube is tutorials, education, news clips, repairs, entertainment, background noise.

      You can quit a bad product. You can’t easily quit a social standard.

      And that’s exactly why they get away with so much. The cost of leaving isn’t just losing features; it’s losing access to people, knowledge, and convenience. Alternatives exist, but the network effect keeps dragging everyone back.

      So yeah, we should stop using them. But realistically, the better first step is reducing dependence: use RSS, forums, Signal, PeerTube/Invidious, proper documentation, personal websites, mailing lists, and local backups wherever possible.

      Not because purity is achievable, but because total dependence is dangerous.

      • Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafeEnglish
        0·
        3 months ago

        Stopped using reddit years ago.

        Never once used WhatsApp, and refuse to.

        Same with a bunch of other social media sites.

        YouTube - only use it to download high quality Vida using other tools, like Grayjay, Newpipe, and YT-DL.