The Convergence Conversation

Groups and Committees

What is the real impact of social networking? 
31 January 2008

Following on from the success of our last conversation, which saw us tackle 'the search for the perfect handheld device', Intellect discussed another hot topic, that of social networking.

Just a few years ago the concept of social networking would have meant nothing, but now it's sweeping the world at an alarmingly speedy pace.

According to web information company Alexa, during 2007 four of the top ten most visited websites in the world were social networking websites. 2007 also saw Microsoft pay a whopping $240m (£117m), in exchange for a 1.6% share of Facebook, nominally valuing Facebook at $15bn.

With some websites pulling in a new daily consumer user average of 250,000, social networking is going nowhere and staying firmly put at our doorsteps.

Issues discussed at this conversation included:

• what is the real impact of social networking?
• from businesses and advertising to government and politics, how will it affect us?
• to what extent, if any, will our individuality and identity be sacrificed?
• how can we use social networking to learn about new trends, exchange ideas and experiential learning?
• what then will be the future of this internet phenomenon?