Dramatic political polarization. Rising anxiety and depression. An uptick in teen suicide rates. Misinformation that spreads like wildfire.
The common denominator of all these phenomena is that they’re fueled in part by our seemingly innocuous participation in digital social networking. But how can simple acts like sharing photos and articles, reading the news, and connecting with friends have such destructive consequences?
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eMarketer has just released the latest figures on social networks (Q1/2013): Facebook ist still #1, but is being challenged by its contenders.
The figures have been taken from GlobalWebIndex’s “Stream Social: Quarterly Social Platforms Update.” and show clearly, that a lot has happened behind Facebook: quite a few second-place contenders are fighting for the spot behind the leader, with Google+ out front at 26% of internet users. Google+ registered a growth in their active users base (using the service at least once in the past month) 33% between Q2 2012 and Q1 2013. While Facebook has seen its total number of active users increase by 35% between Q2 2012 and Q1 2013, Twitter is currently the fastest-growing social platform in the world, with a 44% growth in the same period.
Remember Google Buzz? Or Google Wave?
Well, Google has tried several times to take on Facebook to conquer and master social networking – without much success. Now it is making its biggest effort yet.
(c) Google Inc
Google introduced its social networking service called the Google+ project. Similarities to existing Social Network are pure coincidence ;-). Google’s service, which is initially available to selected Google users, who will soon be able to invite others, will let people share and discuss status updates, photos and links, much as they do on Facebook.
Google+ is meant for sharing with groups – whether colleagues, family or sports friends – not with all of your friends or even the entire Web. Features include group text messaging and video chat. Read more