Social networking is rapidly getting more mobile in the US too. I say "too," because one of my biggest takeaways from attending an international conference in Kenya this fall was that 3G cellphones (what we call "feature phones") are and will increasingly be the typical way most East Africans access Facebook, Skype, Twitter, etc. But even here with our ubiquitous computer use, mobile social media … [Read more...] about US phone-based social media use growing fast
mobile
Facebook deleting Deals, adding Messenger
In the next few weeks, Facebook becomes a little less local in one way. It's eliminating the Deals feature, Facebook's answer to the popular Groupon deal-of-the-day-at-a-retailer-near-you service. "The program is being dropped after four months of testing in select markets in Texas, California and Georgia," the Washington Post reports. This development probably has something to do with Facebook … [Read more...] about Facebook deleting Deals, adding Messenger
India’s very mobile social networking
US parents may be interested to see the Times of India's account of single mom Darshana Verma "who never learned to use a computer and saved for 10 months," spending more than half a month's income on mobile phones for her two children. Verma told the Times that the access to Facebook and the Internet these phones bring her kids represents opportunities she never had. She must not be alone, given … [Read more...] about India’s very mobile social networking
Of school policy on sexting
The Cyberbullying Research Center has some helpful policy-development advice for schools – policy all middle and high schools should have in place, says Sameer Hinduja, author, researcher, and co-director of the Center. I so agree, because clearly stated and implemented policy reduces the emotion and politics that only add to the emotional harm some students incur by having extremely embarrassing … [Read more...] about Of school policy on sexting
Voice added to text chat on Facebook
All the more reason for kids to be friending only people they know offline: Facebook just added audio to its chat feature. By installing a free app called Bobsled by T-Mobile, users can make it so Facebook chat is like talking on the phone. T-Mobile's new Bobsled service lets PC and Macintosh users make calls between Facebook pages, add voice to any Facebook Chat and leave voice messages and wall … [Read more...] about Voice added to text chat on Facebook