Towards a Suite of Tools for Re-imagining Online Social Phenomena

Download

PDF - Accepted Version Download (44Kb)

Description/Abstract

Social networking websites have become increasingly popular in recent times, and can be a source of fun and emotional support. However, a large chunk of society is excluded from this arena of social interaction: for example, in general elderly people face a range of obstacles to the uptake of technology. This paper describes our plans to use methods from a wide range of disciplines to better understand online social phenomena. This deeper understanding will allow us to provide social functions via novel and accessible communication channels. These might include televisions and telephones, alongside more unusual technologies such as digital photo frames and microprinters. We hope to provide the basis for a social fabric to improve technology access, and help a wider range of people benefit from social technologies.