i don't understand this doomer mentality regarding the internet.
internet is a service that you choose what to engage and how. don't like a platform? find another, build it or stop using it altogether.
personally, i find these things really great has it helps nudge people into the more decentralized web. a few years ago those who were pushing for privacy respecting apps and platforms were deemed too paranoid.
Network effects will keep a person on a platform until a critical mass of their social circle decide to leave all at once. I'm no expert, but I suspect that that critical mass is pretty high, maybe more than 50% of a person's circle. So it's not exactly vanilla free-market competition. Entrenched players have a pretty big advantage.
what does your social circle being on Instagram bring to you? seriously, this picture-sharing app has evolved into this content spread machine that brings very little value.
When most of your social circle exists on one platform, you tend to use that platform less for its specific features, and more because of the fact that all your friends are there. I don't personally use Instagram, and this is anecdotal information, but I know a lot of people who only use Instagram to see what their friends and family are up to, and to watch the occasional reel.
But you're absolutely right about Instagram's evolution. It's crazy.
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Ah Network effect, That's why we all are still using Skype, microsoft messenger and ICQ.
You don't have to wait for everyone to switch, in fact it's pretty normal to reach different people on different chats.