Group items tagged

The markets where social networking aficionados favour signed up for many sites are UAE, India, Indonesia, and Bulgaria. Robby Susatyo, Managing Director of Synovate in Indonesia, says: "It's a snowball. It's considered cool to have multiple membership because it shows that you are following the trend."

91% of Japanese social networkers are on a Japanese-language site called mixi

One of the major features of mixi is that it's invitation only.

it's not for broadening networks, rather for strengthening existing networks

privacy concerns and fear of strangers remain barriers to complete online comfort for a great many of our respondents

Nervy networkers' biggest concerns were lack of privacy (37%) closely followed by lack of security for children (32%).

But the more interesting finding is the unease among social networkers. 85% of Japanese and German social networkers were uncomfortable handing out details, followed by 83% in Taiwan, 79% in Canada, 77% in Brazil and South Africa and 70% in Poland and the US.

Identity theft continues to be a major problem in the US so handing out any personal information online is going to make people wary. Another growing issue in the US is online defamation

is it worth getting your brand online? Steve Garton says an emphatic 'yes', but do it quietly

Overall, 53% of social networkers notice site sponsors. In good news for the sponsors, these seem to have the greatest impact in the US (where 66% notice), Serbia (65%) and Russia and Germany (both 64%).

respondents who are members of social networking sites have a balanced on- and offline existence

Most people online, regardless of culture, have a very strong appreciation of being in the real world. Their attitudes and behaviour show us that the virtual world of social networking can complement relationships, but not replace them. There is no substitute for real life, real friends and real relationships.

When asked if they agree with the statement "I am losing interest in online social networking", 36% of the social networking site members were in the affirmative; led by Japan (55%), Slovakia (48%), Canada (47%), Poland and the US (45%).

Thirty seven percent of all people from the UAE, 35% of South Africans and 29% of Taiwanese agreed that they had more friends online than they have in the 'real' world.