I deleted Facebook and Instagram and joined Signal. Not everybody transitioned (instead they wanted me to join WhatsUp lol), but it was a good decision in the long run.

Of course not everybody will transition as well, but let me tell you those who did (in my case) are those who want to be really in contact with you. For the rest I use SMS and E-mail like in the old days haha. You just have to hope that eventually they will join.

It's really hard decision that you have to think about (it took me some time) but I just say "F*** that" and just did it. Until I remove my Fb and Ig they think that I wasn't going to do it but well ^^.

Don't have an answer but sharing in your pain as a millennial. 😭

I just told everyone "I am only using Signal from now on. If you want to message me do it through that." Worked for those who actually want to keep in touch.

Tell them if they want to speak to you they need to download signal. If they are actual friends they do, if not... Well nothing lost.

I know not everyone is willing to do this, but I just made myself unreachable elsewhere and many started using signal for that reason.

A few years ago I got 5 of my millennial friends to move from FB Messenger to Telegram and it took some peer pressure from me and essentially one hangout where we were all together, and moved in one go. Telegram is not perfect but overall it's much better than being on FB messenger.

by force if necessary

I hope one day, that we have a viable protocol like email that will free everybody from vendor lock-in into messaging apps. Allowing us to chose our platform freely.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Matrix is there yet

Set up matrix instance and invite them. Better to use something you control over signal which is run by a company on their servers. Saves you the trouble of having to do this all again down the line if something happens with signal. Also there are many chat bridges for stuff like signal, IG, WhatsApp, etc. Theres even an Imessage one but it is not in the ansible playbook yet.

https://github.com/spantaleev/matrix-docker-ansible-deploy makes it very simple to deploy.

Wait, people are using Instagram for personal communications with family?

We should be aware that signal might not be the promised lands. It was created by a CIA affiliate. It's also suspectible to National Security Letters from the U.S., requiring it to disclose information about its users.

A viable alternative might be France based Olvid. But I haven't done much research on them.

Sources:

• https://archive.ph/Lhe24
• https://yasha.substack.com/p/signal-is-a-government-op-85e
• https://olvid.io/en/

For real, just my closest friends have gotten signal, and techies, and privacy focused family. Slow up hill battle tbh.

My next trick is more family on the wagon, by convincing them to do more video calls through signal. They want to use Duo, but we are getting closer to more family with Signal than Duo.

Something that also helps, shame them for watching ads, there is no reason you have to watch ads unless you are using the shitty apps that force it on you. You separate them from ads though and you get less push back on new apps. Them ads really do be working on people.

Yeah have the same issue. Why tf are all the normies using this dogwater called wattsapp is beyond me.
I just stopped using those apps, if anybody wants to reach me, they have my number. Suddenly I have a bit more free time. Win win.

You may want to give this a quick read before using signal

https://dessalines.github.io/essays/why_not_signal.html

I personally haven't verified the claims on there but I've been using a personal instance of Matrix for a while now and it's been working great.

There's no easy receipt. Crunch them one by one. Prepare good (and simple!) reasons why the alternatives aren't acceptable for you.* Start with people you message daily. If someone only receives one message from one person once in a while, they won't stick for sure.

Try to migrate group chats, after some fraction of people agreed to try it out. FOMO will make the people to check the app.

If you have the most important people convinced, delete WhatsApp and Telegram and stick with it.

I moved from WhatsApp when Facebook bought it. I was able to move most of the people to Telegram (wouldn't choose that today anymore). Now, WhatsApp is just off the table. If someone ask me for "my WhatsApp" and isn't willing to use one of the options I offer (Matrix, Signal, Telegram, Threema), I use the inferior SMS, call or (extreamly rare) email. That's the deal, take it or leave it. I'm not willing to use a messaging app from one of the worst companies acting against many of my principles. If you can't respect this, we won't stay in contact. Period.

* Edit: collection of bad press as a reference can help.

Pay them or buy them a beer.

Practically impossible, but when you do meet them, you are certain they are fucking awesome.

Sorry can't give you more advice, people will continue doing what is convenient/popular until they grow over it, some (most?) never do...