"Through the looking glass: envisioning new library technologies" social media trends that inform emerging technologies. Issue 2 (4th April 2016) - Fernandez, Peter
Abstract : Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore recent developments in a number of relatively well-established social media platforms – Google+, Facebook, Twitter and Yik Yak –to highlight the trends that are emerging within social media. Design/methodology/approach: These trends have implications beyond just the social media space as a host of technologies take on social attributes. Findings: Technologies such as video games, which previously functioned more or less as stand-alone pieces of software, are increasingly embracing many of the tools of social media platforms. Practicalimplications: As a result, it is increasingly difficult to distinguish social technology from other communication technologies (Papacharissi, 2015). Socialimplications: By examining trends in social media, we are able to not only better understand these important platforms but also acquire insight into developments that can affect a wide range of related technologies, all of which are of interest to information professionals. Originality/value: Many of the examples the paper gave were drawn from the various social media platforms that mediate the personal and professional lives of their users.