The Social Life: Still time to like Facebook

Predictions have surfaced that 80 percent of Facebook users will give it up in the next three years. Photo/Thinkstock

What social media platform is your favourite?

This past week has heralded reports that Facebook is dying and that 80 per cent of its users would abandon the site within the next three years.

The study was from the American university of Princeton.

They forecast that Facebook - which turns 10 next month and has nearly 1.2 billion monthly active users - will fade in the same way its predecessors MySpace and Bebo did.

They predict that by 2017 the site will have retained just one-fifth of its present online population.

A UK survey of 16-18 year-olds found that they have moved away from Facebook as it's less exciting (and their parents are on it, I suspect).

It's true that many younger people are choosing other social media networks - Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and WhatsApp have all been touted as contenders to take over where Facebook is supposed to drop off.

Social media experts have come out in support of Facebook, citing its permanent record status for ensuring many users stay logged on.

Would you rather remember your life's events or just let them pass by you in a blur? Snapchat is great for sharing a moment but Facebook is a cut above when it comes to looking back over the years and remembering significant and less significant events. Here in little old New Zealand Facebook has taken on a life of its own and I reckon it's far from dying.

In Rotorua itself there are many communities large and small springing up on Facebook.

It's used for sports groups, people organising events, communities who want to pay it forward and by mums to maintain antenatal support.

There are pages for businesses to share new products, run competitions and to engage with their customers.

The Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page is one that continues to grow - if you don't already like us then please do. We'd love to hear what you think about social media and what platforms you use.