5 Best Alternative Social Media Platforms for Your Family
Social Media Alternatives Worth Trying
Many people today are feeling social media fatigue and are looking for an alternative social media platform that actually lets them engage with family and friends. Between the constant ads, influencer content, and concerns about mental health, more people are looking for a private, ad-free way to genuinely connect with loved ones– especially across generations.
We’ve put together a list of some of the best alternative platforms that you can connect with your family on.
What are private social networks?
Private social networks are online platforms designed to bring specific groups of people together in a secure, invitation-only environment. Unlike public social media platforms (like Facebook or Instagram), private social networks are closed spaces, meaning only approved members can join, view, and interact with content.
These networks are especially useful for families, caregivers, and care teams who want to share updates, photos, schedules, and important information without worrying about privacy or outside distractions.
When looking for a private social media network, important considerations are:
- Safety: Look for invite-only platforms that are safe for the whole family
- Privacy: Make sure your data is not being harvested
- Authenticity: See the content you want and not what the algorithm says
- User Experience: Look for an intuitive platform that provides ease of use
Best Social Media Alternatives for Families
1. Petalz Mosaic is specifically designed to keep families engaged, but what makes it unique is that it has taken special consideration to ensure that the application is suitable for all generations, even grandparents who struggle with technology.
Pros:
- Ease of use for all generations
- No advertising or influencer content
- Thoughtful notifications designed to increase engagement
- Data is private and not harvested or sold
- View-only mode for those who struggle with technology
Cons:
- Petalz Mosaic is still relatively new and is currently in beta testing. They are still accepting beta testers to help define the future of the product.
Best for: all families that are seeking a safe place to connect; however, it was specifically designed to help adult children and caretakers keep elderly family members engaged in the family unit.
2. Mastodon provides an open-source social network where people connect over shared interests. Made up of many social communities or “instances”, users
Pros:
- No ads or algorithms
- Decentralized so you can pick the community that fits your values.
- Strong moderation in many instances to help keep a respectful atmosphere.
- Open-source
Cons:
- Higher learning curve- it may be more suited for tech-savy people.
Best for: users who want to connect with others online over shared interests. There is some work required in setting up the servers so it’s probably best if users have at least some tech skills.
3. Next Door is a community designed for neighbors to connect! This location-based app helps communities to stay connected.
Pros:
- Includes a marketplace for local buying and selling of used goods
- Promotes local businesses
- Easy to get trust referrals for local services
- Allows you to stay up to date on emergencies and updates in your area
Cons:
- While this is an amazing tool for communities to connect, it is not built for private sharing between families.
Best for: adults who want to stay informed on local events, services and community updates.
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4. WhatsApp has become an app that most people have, which is especially handy when travelling. This allows families and communities to easily connect.
Pros:
- Easy to use while travelling
- Allows for group chats
- Easy sharing of pictures, videos and even location
Cons:
- Fast-paced group chats and constant notifications can be overwhelming and content that is shared can easily be lost.
Best for: adults looking to discover local groups and stay connected with friends and family while travelling internationally.
5. Tinybeans is a journaling-style platform for new parents that allows them to chronicle their baby’s growth and share it.
Pros:
- Parents can easily track all of their babies milestones and firsts
- Expecting mothers can document their pregnancy
- Only invited family members can see pictures
Cons:
- Designed for early parenthood rather than family-wide engagement
Best for: expecting and new parents who want to document and share their babies milestones.
Choosing the Best Way to Stay Connected
How you decide to connect will depend on your personal goals and needs. There is no one-size fits all solution. If keeping in touch with family and aging relatives is your priority, then platforms like Petalz Mosaic offer features designed specifically for those needs.
On the other hand, if your main goal is to connect with neighbors, find community resources and stay informed on local events, you may want to consider a platform like Nextdoor.
Ultimately, the best platform depends on your specific needs and how you plan to stay connected with family. With a variety of options available, there is something out there for every kind of family and relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Petalz Mosaic focuses on user safety be providing a closed network. This means that no one from outside your network can add you, your children, or other vulnerable family members.
Petalz also doesn’t have any ads or influencer content. This application is meant to increase engagement amongst family and close friends.
There is no monitoring data collection, and we are not sending content based on an algorithm. You simply see what your family and friends are sending you.
By creating a safe place for children, grandparents — and everyone in between to connect, we provide a platform that entire families can be on, without fear of predators, bullying, or outside forces.
We also have intentionally designed notifications, reminding us to engage with the older adults in our lives. These nudges can be customized to the users preferences, but the default mode will send 3 reminders/week to each pod member.
Our platform delivers benefits that flow both ways. Not only can Grandma and Grandpa see fresh content each day on an easy-to-use interface, but the entire family sees this content on a private family network. This platform is designed not only to face the loneliness faced by our senior generation, but to draw the entire family closer together.
About the Author
Douglas Greff
Douglas Greff is a Calgary-based entrepreneur, writer, and long-time management consultant. Doug's writing has been featured in Computerworld and various other magazines. Recently, he has turned his attention to social challenges that we all face, endeavoring to distill complex topics, whether technical, economic, or social- into thoughtful narratives that inspire reflection. When not writing, Douglas is busy with his latest venture, Petalz Mosaic, a platform designed to reconnect aging seniors with the people who love them most.