Ignoring for the moment issues about privacy and content fairness and accuracy, there already are signs that web giants such as Facebook--facing mounting calls for antitrust action--already are losing favor.
And some might point to changes in the search business to show that even Google’s dominance is being challenged.
A new study by Pew Research finds Generation Y (the generation after Millennials) already largely has abandoned Facebook. The most-often used app platforms among U.S. teenagers include Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram.
Over the last three years, teen social media preferences have changed dramatically.
In the Center’s 2014-2015 survey of teen social media use, 71 percent of teens reported being Facebook users. Some 52 percent of teens said they used Instagram, while 41 percent reported using Snapchat.
That clearly has changed. Facebook usage dropped 20 percentage points. More significantly, Facebook is “most often used” by just 10 percent of teens.
There have been major changes in search, as well, since so much search activity now centers on e-commerce. Where looking for products to buy, users are as likely to use Amazon as all other generalized search engines.
As with use of Facebook, younger users are highly likely to turn to Amazon first when looking for something to buy.
Such rapid changes in app preferences are one reason hasty antitrust action might best be avoided. In fast-changing markets, it arguably does not make sense to apply antitrust to businesses that already are being supplanted by rivals.
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