Social Computing goes mainstream: 41% of EU Internet users connected to Web 2.0
19 Nov 2009.
The rapid growth of web 2.0, or social computing, allows users to play an influential role in the way commercial and public products and services are shaped. The report "The impact of Social Computing on the EU Information Society and Economy", published today by the JRC Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS), finds that in 2008, 41% of EU Internet users were engaged in social computing activities through Social Networking Sites (SNS), blogs, photo and video sharing, online multi-player games and collaborative platforms for content creation and sharing. This percentage rises to 64% if users aged under 24 only are considered.
The report shows that social computing goes beyond individual networking and entertainment, as it empowers tens of millions of Europeans to support their work, health, learning and citizenship in innovative ways. The research found that social computing is reshaping work practices, as employees join communities of interest outside their organisations to improve their knowledge and skills. Social innovation enabled by social computing contributes to improved lifelong learning processes, business competitiveness, social inclusion and integration of immigrants, among others.
The study highlights the trend towards more user-centric and effective services as well as new forms of civic and political participation. It also analyses emerging risks and challenges such as a new 'digital divide' as regards the skills required to fully benefit from the opportunities of web 2.0, and emerging threats related to security, safety and privacy.
The report argues that European policy-makers are well placed to set favourable conditions for the spreading of social computing practices and foresees that social computing will further evolve and grow into a fundamental part of the digital networked society.
See the Press release in the JRC Corporate website.
Access the report here
