Given the situation with TikTok—marked by censorship and the app's recent control by MAGA-aligned interests—I checked Reddit to see what TikTok users are saying. It turns out many are asking for alternatives. Most replies suggest other proprietary apps, and I haven’t seen any recommendations for decentralized platforms like LOOPS and others from the Fediverse.

In my opinion, we now have a small but critical window of opportunity to introduce people to the Fediverse. We need to go where young people are—Reddit, Instagram, or whatever platforms they use—and explain the basics of decentralization and why choosing another proprietary app will only lead to the same outcome. LOOPS is easy to join and feels exactly like Tiktok.

I had the chance to discuss this topic with my college students just last semester. Young people are not the “imbeciles” mainstream media often portrays them to be. They see what’s happening and want to participate in change. I am firmly convinced that they are a key component of the social revolution we need, and that with their help, we could dismantle the GAFAM economy in just a few weeks.

So I believe we have to seize this moment: share, explain, and promote the Fediverse wherever you can—especially in the coming days—because every invitation is a step toward a truly free and user-owned internet.

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[–] hopesdead@startrek.website 4 points 20 hours ago (3 children)

There is a new (not certain) platform called UpScrolled that people are moving to.

[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 12 points 19 hours ago* (last edited 18 hours ago) (3 children)

I know it can be challenging to convince people to migrate, but it’s crucial that we keep spreading awareness. I recently tried posting about decentralized alternatives on r/tiktok, but it seems the post was suppressed. I ended up sharing the same message as comments in relevant discussions instead.

Even small actions matter. If each of us can introduce just three people to the Fediverse—and they do the same—we can create a ripple effect that drives real growth.

Personally, alongside talking with my students, I’ve started running free workshops in Montreal on “deGAFAMing” your digital life. The first sessions had only 5–6 attendees, but the online version I’m hosting in February already has 30 registrations. I’ve even helped a small organization transition from Google Workspace to Nextcloud.

No matter how small your action may seem, every effort counts. Keep sharing, keep inviting, keep building. The future of the internet depends on it.

Here is a message aimed at tiktok users you could share around:

*If we leave TikTok for another proprietary app, we're just moving from one walled garden to another. Sooner or later, the same issues—censorship, political control, or corporate takeover—will follow us there.

That’s why we should try Loops instead. https://loops.video/

Loops is a decentralized alternative. No single company, political group, or billionaire can buy it or control what you see. You own your space. You shape your feed. You keep your voice.

Yes, Loops is smaller right now—and it might take a little time to adjust. But with your help, it will grow into the vibrant, free, and people-powered platform we deserve

Here's a short video introduction the Fediverse and decentralized social media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRJHIJy5Nno *

[–] Cracks_InTheWalls@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 hours ago

Out of curiosity, have you got a link or something for these workshops (and are they done in English or French)? I'm out in Ottawa, seems like a useful thing to have in my pocket to share with folks since there's a lot of movement between the two cities (and if online geography isn't a barrier).

If not, no worries and keep up the good fight.

[–] OpenStars@piefed.social 2 points 13 hours ago

Every single person that I've told about Lemmy has outright scolded me for having mentioned it to them. I may have lost a couple of acquaintance connections even as a result.

When people Google search for "Lemmy" or otherwise get taken to lemmy.ml (didn't someone say that the so-called "random" instance picker chose either it or hexbear like 90% of the time?), see the content calling for murder of Westerners and the demise of Western civilization, is it any wonder that they choose not to come here, or if they create an account, to not remain?

Their preferences matter - to themselves at the very least, even if not to our instance admins that do not want to block it out so that potential new joiners won't have to see it presented with zero warning or any distinction at all that it may differ from any of the other content in this place.

[–] Skavau@piefed.social -2 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Why are you replying with AI

[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 10 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

It's no AI. I write in french and use my translation software (Antidote) to translate and optimize my text. I actually know how to write pretty well, I just don't want to spend hours translating.

[–] Skavau@piefed.social -1 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

Ah, well unfortunately gives a deeply AI feel with how it translates it.

[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 10 points 18 hours ago

Yeah, I guess it can do that. But as mentioned, I give workshops about the Fedi to young people, so I try to write information in an "appealing" way to them. Maybe I'm overdoing it.

[–] emb@lemmy.world 6 points 20 hours ago (2 children)

I heard briefly about this on Loops actually, lol. I wonder what's the story with it? Is it some big tech company's new product, a stand-alone startup? American or some other origin? Decentralized? Open source or proprietary?

Not deadset on any of these as deal breakers, but would be nice if some aspects inspired confidence.

[–] Shellbeach@lemmy.world 2 points 9 hours ago (1 children)

Here is the FAQ you're looking for I believe: https://upscrolled.com/en/faq/

They mention that are based on Australia

[–] emb@lemmy.world 2 points 10 minutes ago

Thanks, good to know.

More interesting, they at least address the decentralization question:

Why isn’t UpScrolled a decentralized platform?

Because it doesn’t work for what we’re trying to build.

UpScrolled isn’t decentralized (yet) because today’s open protocols (e.g., ActivityPub, AT Protocol) don’t reliably deliver what we need for a mainstream, video-forward app: fast global discovery, stable search/ranking, and smooth media. In practice, these stacks still lean on centralized indexing to work well, so we’re shipping the experience that works now—not a theory.

We keep things open and simple with lightweight, common-sense protections—spam/bot filtering, straightforward reporting, and consistent deletes when people remove their own content. We’re building interoperable by design (clean exports, stable APIs) and will add optional bridges to open protocols as they mature, so you can reach more people without sacrificing speed or simplicity.

Which, honestly, fair. Federation does have some issues.

I'm not seeing anything on open source tho, which I have a harder time seeing the justification for not doing. But it is what it is.

[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 6 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

It's open source and decentralized.

I haven't really used it, since I'm not interested in that format, but I know tiktok is where the youngster are and I believe many of them are not as stuck-up as people of my generation.

[–] emb@lemmy.world 3 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Is it? That got my interest, but I can't find mention of it on their site or FAQ

(I know Loops is, maybe I wasn't clear but I was meaning to ask about the other one.)

[–] Yerbouti@sh.itjust.works 4 points 17 hours ago

Oh, I was talking about Loops, I have no clue about upscroll...

[–] nocturne@slrpnk.net 4 points 19 hours ago

It is more like Instagram than TikTok.