Screen time | Should the dancing banana have stayed in the compost bin?

The iconic Dutch social media platform Hyves has officially made a comeback, aiming to provide a nostalgic alternative to major American tech platforms. Originally boasting five million users, the site was known for features like digital scrapbooks and animations before it was eventually converted into a gaming portal in 2013 by its owner, Mediahuis. Today, the platform seeks to reintroduce its focus on social interaction and community engagement to a digital landscape that has grown weary of modern algorithmic social media.

However, the platform faces significant challenges in reclaiming its former status. With a phased rollout and a long waiting list, many users are finding the current experience lacking in activity. Critics also question whether users will abandon their established networks on other platforms to return to a site that has been largely dormant for years. Despite these hurdles, Mediahuis remains committed to positioning the site as a distinct, European-based alternative that prioritizes human connection, even as it struggles to maintain initial momentum among its returning user base.