Mobile the key to more inclusive and youthful social networks
February 10th, 2009 by Tim Greenhalgh
Two reports caught my attention this week and reminded me again how much more effort will be needed before the mobile sector catches up with the rest of the connected universe. The Future of Social Networking workship in Barcelona featured a clear call from Dominique Hazaël-Massieux, W3C’s Mobile Web Initiative Activity Lead for the mobile providers to open up and lead the push for ubiquitous social networks.
She said: “Now is the time for the diverse social network actors out there to work together and resolve barriers to industry growth and stability. All social networks users, and especially young people, expect the richest possible social experience, but with full mobility, accessibility, and privacy.”
The workshop report emphasises the importance of mobile in the social network mix, with contextual information and sharing key data across all networks both key to progress. With the downturn, full-scale collaboration between the operators on all sides is sorely needed to avoid the partial implosion of the still young, vibrant but vulnerable online culture.
And talking of youth, the Independent’s Richard Garner this week flashed a snapshot of youth habits online. It’s even more official - young people are migrating away from TV and spending up to 31 hours a week online with social networks taking an increasingly important slice of that time.
Even more reason, then to ensure that the people and pipes that control and connect are as open, free-thinking and resilient as the users.
PR’s positive attitude to social media can help to play a significant role here and let’s hope that the grumblies and doomists who are joyously predicting the demise of sociability will soon be drowned out by a realistic and visionary chorus of social media advocates.
Tags: Independent, mobile, social networks, W3C
