Is this a software problem? There are a lot of open sources (with their differences) platforms. From old forums, to more modern, etc. I think the problem is that people don't want or don't know how to use a forum.
This is based in my experience:
- Old people: They started to use internet recently so they are used to social networks (Facebook, Instagram), and newspapers websites.
- Young people: Hard to make them use the browser, if there isn't an app (Instagram, TikTok), you are lost. If they want to discuss a topic, mostly Twitter through hashtags, YouTubers or Discord.
- Adult people: This is where some of them may use a forum, but you have to be lucky enough to find adult people who use internet many years ago, and they know what is a forum. If you find a 30 or 40 years old who started to use internet 5 years ago (which happens), you are lost.
And on top of that, you need to compete against Reddit and their own subreddits.
(Edited to format)
This is based in my experience:
- Old people: They started to use internet recently so they are used to social networks (Facebook, Instagram), and newspapers websites.
- Young people: Hard to make them use the browser, if there isn't an app (Instagram, TikTok), you are lost. If they want to discuss a topic, mostly Twitter through hashtags, YouTubers or Discord.
- Adult people: This is where some of them may use a forum, but you have to be lucky enough to find adult people who use internet many years ago, and they know what is a forum. If you find a 30 or 40 years old who started to use internet 5 years ago (which happens), you are lost.
And on top of that, you need to compete against Reddit and their own subreddits.
(Edited to format)