Using Alternative Apps and Shared Albums Instead of Mainstream Social Media

Even before the recent TikTok bans and mental-health concerns from the surgeon general, public attitudes toward social media have evolved. Many people are moving to online communities on less-populated networks like Nextdoor to get away from the overload of influencers, advertisers, data-mining and political divisiveness that often dominate the larger mainstream platforms.

Facebook and other sites do offer the ability to make 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.

Getting Started

Before you make the leap to your own micro-social network, think about what you want it to be. Does your group mostly post photos, or are you looking for a place to share status updates, pictures, videos and links? And how will people log in — iPhones, Android phones, tablets or desktop browsers?

Next, search your app store for “private photo sharing” or “private social media” to see your options.

Even if your group is comfortable just sticking with familiar methods like WhatsApp groups, message apps or Reply All emails, increased social activity can be costly for those with limited data or message plans. And if the focus is on photo sharing, be sure to consider an app or service that includes adequate file storage or the option to buy more space.

Paying Your Way

Private social media apps work much like the larger platforms with the sharing of status updates, comments, photos and videos (although they may lack tools like photo filters and video effects). In some cases, you pay a small fee — but you can share without advertisements and fewer personal-information concerns.

For example, Kin requires the host of the private space to buy a subscription — but everyone else can join the group free. A Kin “space” includes a Storyline feed for members to share photos and comments, a chat function and other familiar tools. Prices start at $4 a month for a plan with 50 gigabytes of storage and an unlimited number of 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 lose the ads and focus on everyone’s fabulous photos by upgrading to a PhotoCircle+ subscription for about $8 a year per person.

Phone-Free Photo Sharing

If your primary objective is to share photos with everyone in your family — including those who don’t have a smartphone or who aren’t…