Grouchy

To use an Alphabet product is to support Alphabet regardless of how you access it. If you want to de-google, then stop using their products 100%.

Jabber (XMPP) or Matrix/Element.

You are correct. Streams is Fediverse software that you install on a server.

I initially misunderstood your question, so deleted my post. Sorry about that.

Run your own instance. It's the only way you'll be able to set your own policies. Otherwise you're subject to policies of the instance you're on and those policies may change at any time.

Yes. Synapse is the server side part of Matrix. You install it at a Matrix host, or on a VPS, or even a Raspberry PI device. See https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse#installing-and-configuration

Once up and running you connect a client like Element to it.

Host your own Synapse instance and lock it down to your users.

I've don't think I've ever used an Adobe product. While they may be huge in specific fields, there are other options. Yes, extra time, training, and money will need to be used to move to alternatives, but what's the other option? Continue giving Adobe money and support their monopoly? Be the change you want to see.

There's always options.

• Refuse to use the applications and consult with the school board with your concerns. Involve other parents and start a movement.
• Use a different local school system. Is there a local private school that's better?
• Home schooling is another option.

I'm not saying any of those are easy options. In fact, you may have no good options today. But you don't need to stay that way forever. Explore what options you could have next year, or the year after. What can you work toward?

At the end of the day, the more everybody gives in and allows the abuse to happen, the move it will be normalized and accepted. If you don't like what is happening, then make changes in what you accept in your life.

I use Koel. https://koel.dev/

Install it at a host of your choice and access it in a web browser or with mobile apps.

I hear your frustration, but there are other options. They won't necessarily be the same, or perhaps equivalent in every way, but they do exist. You don't have to use the same corporations over and over again.

Add some memory and hard drives and slap TrueNas or Unraid on it.