The world is subjected to constant change, and in this case we find never-ending shifts between the most popular social media websites. For most of us as students, it started off as Instagram but now we find Snapchat more convenient for our everyday use and communication. 

I have not met a single person on campus yet who hasn’t asked for my Snapchat within a few minutes after the beginning of our conversation, and now I find myself continuing that trend. But being as young as we are, many of us were not exposed to past social media sensations, the most previous one being Facebook, now renamed to Meta. 

According to the Pew Research Center, it is said that around 7/10 U.S. adults (69%) say they ever use Facebook. 

With the exception of YouTube, 49% of adults were checking Facebook daily, and even 50% of teens had something to do with Facebook, however it was not dominating the teen social media landscape. So many people are using Facebook right? Are you planning on checking it out after this article is done? I would think twice if I were you. As of 2018, around three-quarters of Facebook users were not aware that the site lists their traits and interests for advertisers. What does that mean? It means that the ad algorithm is based on the information you input into the website, giving Facebook direct access to anything personal. Furthermore, 57% of people were found to be uncomfortable after realizing that their private info wasn’t as private as they thought it to be. 

According to Morning Consult, the people’s opinion is less than favorable of the new logo, brand, and direction of Meta. In fact, 40% of adults interviewed were unfavorable of Meta, and only 25% were in full support. Even Americans feel unfavorably toward Meta Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg most of all. Zuckerberg received a net favorability rating of negative 32 points. 

More than half (54%) of adults said they have an unfavorable opinion of him, compared with 22% who said the opposite. Roughly half (51%) of people believe that Meta’s name change was to distance itself from the negative press and to cover up controversy/scandals. In conclusion, Mark Zuckerburg seems excited about the new direction Meta is headed, but the majority of people feel the opposite.