Use of social networks

The networking of a large number of different user groups in private and professional contexts is promoted by web-based social networks such as Myspace, Linkedin and Flickr. Many people also use social software such as Skype, Del.icio.us, YouTube or the current newcomer twitter. These applications are implemented using modern information and communication technologies (ICT), mostly Internet technologies, and enable users to either create new content and then share it with selected people (or with the public), or they can be used to establish connections with existing contacts and create new ones. At the same time, for most people today, the use of mobile devices is an essential part of their everyday lives. As a result, the combination of these two, initially separate, fields is thought to be one, if not the “killer application” for mobile services. The aim of this article is to analyze the potentials and limitations of the widespread use of social software and social networks on mobile devices.