Some people read Facebook's near 180-degree change in how new users experience privacy as a response to pressure from privacy advocates and policymakers. I don't think so. It's largely a response to something even more powerful: changes in how users are using social media – all kinds of social media, not just Facebook. We're seeing a lot of the changes right in our own experiences and … [Read more...] about FB privacy & the social media ‘collective unconscious’ (so far)
texting
Kik Messenger’s smart new safety features
Kik Messenger, which claims to be the US's 7th most popular social app and ranks even higher in some other countries, today released a new version that gives its 120 million+ users more control over who can text them. Over the past year, its creators at Waterloo, Ontario-based Kik Interactive noticed the app has become "the leading cross-app messenger," they claimed. That means that people who … [Read more...] about Kik Messenger’s smart new safety features
How Yik Yak is different from other social media
Based on news reports and conversations with educators about troubles with Yik Yak, the location-based anonymous texting app, at schools in many parts of the US, three scenarios leap to mind…. Remember that kid at school (or maybe that frat house) who felt the need or the pressure to set off the fire alarm to see what would happen, test the system, get attention or whatever social … [Read more...] about How Yik Yak is different from other social media
The meta-trend behind the teen (& everybody) mobile trend
As the news stories about teens' mainly mobile (digital) socializing multiply, parents seem to be turning a corner too. Monitoring kids on Facebook is "so 2009," Yahoo! News reports. Even the very tech-savvy "Online Mom" blogger Monica Vila wrote recently that "everything went mobile and I lost control" – though calmly (and I think wisely) adding that this taught her "to focus more on being a … [Read more...] about The meta-trend behind the teen (& everybody) mobile trend
TWD going the way of DUI: Research
The good news is, the vast majority of young drivers and passengers (91%) now know how dangerous it is to text while driving (TWD) – very close to the figure for driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol: 97%. We're making progress, people. The bad news – according to research my organization, ConnectSafely.org, has conducted with the support of AT&T – is, 43% of US 13-to-17-year-olds agree … [Read more...] about TWD going the way of DUI: Research