Even before the recent TikTok bans and concerns about the surgeon general’s mental health, public attitudes to social media have evolved. Many people are moving to online communities on less populated networks like Nextdoor to get away from the overabundance of influencers, advertisers, data mining and political divisions that often dominate the larger mainstream platforms.
Facebook and other sites do offer the option to create private groups. But if you’re looking for a change, you can set up your own personal ad-free space with an exclusive membership elsewhere. Here’s what you can do.
To work
Before you take the leap into your own micro-social network, think about what you want it to be. Does your group primarily post photos, or are you looking for a place to share status updates, photos, videos, and links? And how do people log in: iPhones, Android phones, tablets or desktop browsers?
Then search your app store for “private photo sharing” or “private social media” to see your options.
Even if your group is comfortable just sticking to familiar methods like WhatsApp groups, messaging apps, or Reply All emails, increased social activity can be costly for those with limited data or messaging plans. And if the focus is on photo sharing, consider an app or service that offers ample file storage or the option to purchase more space.
Pay your way
Private social media apps work much like the bigger platforms with sharing status updates, comments, photos, and videos (although they may not have tools like photo filters and video effects). In some cases you pay a small fee, but you can share without ads and without worrying about personal information.
For example, Kin requires the private room host to purchase a subscription, but everyone else can join the group for free. A Kin “space” includes a Storyline feed for members to share photos and comments, a chat feature, and other familiar tools. Prices start at $4 per month for a plan with 50 gigabytes of storage and unlimited members.
Photocircle is another option for a more visually oriented circle of friends and family. The app has an ad-supported version, but you can get rid of the ads and focus on everyone’s great photos by upgrading to a PhotoCircle+ plan for about $8 per year per person.
Phone-free photo sharing
If your primary purpose is to share photos everyone in your family — including those who don’t own a smartphone or who aren’t particularly comfortable with technology — you still have options.
For example, both Google Photos and Apple’s Photos app support shared photo albums, in which multiple people can add, view, and comment on photos in that album from their phones, tablets, and computer browsers. Use the Shared Album setting when creating a new album, name it and add the email addresses of the people you want to see the photos with. Once they accept your invitation, they can view the photos and receive notifications when new images are added.
Similarly, you can share browser-based photo albums with select people on Dropbox, Flickr, Shutterfly, and a host of other online storage services you may already be using.
But what if you have a family member with extremely limited technology tolerance – but still want to see them each single baby or holiday photo? An Internet-connected digital photo frame can be the solution.
Wirecutter, a product review site owned by The New York Times, has tested several digital photo frames and recommends the $150 Aura Carver model for its sharp 10.1-inch screen and ease of installation; the $200 Aura Mason frame was also known for displaying photos in vertical portrait orientation. Once you’ve connected the frame to the internet for your receiver, you and the rest of the family can upload thousands of photos to it from the Aura smartphone app.
Large events for small groups
Keeping select people informed about your major life milestones is another reason to use a private social space. For example, you can use the non-profit CaringBridge platform to create a free, safe, ad-free site to share serious health news with friends and family.
New parents are perhaps the biggest generators of photos in need of privacy. And there are plenty of apps for that, including FamilyAlbum (free or a $5 a month premium version for features like longer videos), Honeycomb (free), and Sproutly (free; iPhone only).
Whichever app or service you use, read the company’s privacy policy carefully and make sure your security is locked to the world outside your chosen group. Even if you decide to stick with your older social media platforms as well, be sure to review your privacy and security measures there as well. Wirecutter also has guides to the major social media and messaging apps.
