WildBlueSkies – Trends and strategies in Digital Media

It seems everyone is social networking. Or are they?
Across 17 markets of the world, well over half the population (58%) do not know what social networking is, according to a study released by Synovate which covered 13,000 respondents aged 18-65 years. Moreover, 36% of the social networking site members seem to be losing interest in social networking; led by Japan (55%), Slovakia (48%), Canada (47%), Poland and the US (45%). Social networkers in Indonesia and France are the least likely to be losing interest in the activity (82% and 79% are going strong respectively). The countries surveyed are a good mix from across the world.

• Overall, 26% across the markets surveyed are members of social networking sites. This peaked with the Netherlands at 49%, United Arab Emirates (UAE) at 46%, Canada at 44% and the US at 40%.
• Just over half the respondents who are members of social networking sites (51%) agreed that online social networking has its dangers. The Brazilians were the most nervous about online social networking with 79% agreeing there is danger, followed by the US (69%) and Poland (62%). Least concerned are Indians on 19%. The biggest concerns were lack of privacy (37%) closely followed by lack of security for children (32%). The Dutch were the most concerned about privacy at 54% and lack of security for children was the biggest worry for Americans with 62% of respondents nominating it.
• Of the group who are members of social networking sites, only 26% are comfortable giving out personal details. This is led by 71% of Serbians and 57% of Indians.
  But the more interesting finding is the unease among social networkers. 85% of Japanese and German social networkers were uncomfortable handing out details, followed by 83% in Taiwan, 79% in Canada, 77% in Brazil and South Africa and 70% in Poland and the US.
• 40% of people who engage in social networking agree that online communication can be just as meaningful as face-to-face communication, versus 26% of people who are not members of any of these sites.

Also read:
Mobile Social Networking – 140 Million Users by 2013?
300 Million Users For BigAdda?
DealTracker – MIH Invests $10 Million In BuzzCity
Social Networks Turn To Business
What To Expect In Mobile Social Networking

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Filed under: Digital culture