Pretty soon, just about every site may have a social-networking component, Forrester Research analyst Charlene Li wrote in her blog. While MySpace and Facebook are extending their reach even further, Google is tapping into the social Web in its own way. Google says its new feature gives site owners the tools to "attract and engage more people by giving visitors a way to connect with friends on their websites." So sites that would otherwise not have any social-networking features can, through Google, add tools that let visitors see, invite and interact with their friends.
Donna Baumbach on 13 Nov 09One theme at the conference was "one size doesn't fit all." Most kids are actually pretty savvy about keeping themselves safe from serious harm, but others - who are taking big risks - need more serious intervention. Risk prevention specialist Patti Agatston suggested we consider using health prevention models for Internet safety education - basic safety advice for most youth and intense counseling from mental health professionals for the small minority of young people who are taking extraordinary risks both on and offline.
