I’ve discussed why I think certain social media apps hit the mainstream rather than staying on the side lines of digerati use.

The BBC dot.life blog has posted about how Twitter seems to have become the flavour of the month in the media at the moment. However the same opinion as mine seems to be through this post - that Twitter just isn’t going to appeal to your common or garden user. 

Also there is an additional argument that the Twitter business model isn’t going to stand up long term. I have to say I can’t quite see how it’s lasted so long now I think about it. Advertising clearly isn’t in the equation so where are they getting the cash from? Let me know if I’ve missed something!

I hate to say it but it looks very reminiscent of some of the online companies at the end of the dot com boom. Money is getting tighter at the moment so make sure you have a cast iron business plan or your bubble is going to burst!

So Twitter’s time is now - will they take advantage of the current higher profile and can they get the money in to keep it going?

The post also mentions Ning - a social media site that allows you to create your own social networks. Looks interesting might have to delve deeper. Anyone got any experience of Ning?

There is a lot being discussed at the moment with regard to regulation of games after the Byron review last week and now this seems to have spread to social networks after Ofcom published a report about children using social network websites (Download the Ofcom social networking report).

As usual the media have turned on the evil Internet again but when you look through this hysteria there is an interesting argument here. Online regulation isn’t easy as due to the Internet’s very nature it evolves quickly (too quickly for Government intervention perhaps) and there is a degree of anonymity which also means enforcement becomes more difficult.

In addition some would say regulation would stifle the freedom that is currently available.

Personally I can’t see how regulation is going to work, essentially most schemes with regard to online regulation seem to be badly conceived and I’m not convinced Governments have a clue about the underlying issues.

I think application providers and websites should take responsibility for this in the regard that they should provide the tools within the system for privacy and protection rather than requiring various shock headlines to make them change their policies.

This still leaves a gap for who is going to ensure that children use the systems available and I’m afraid this for the most part should come down to parents. Currently it would seem that many parents don’t understand issues surrounding the social Internet but I don’t see this as an excuse. Outside of the virtual World parents keep on top of developments related to their children - this should be the same for when their child logs on.

Certainly there is a case for education here and maybe a Government should formulate a swifter response to the moving goalposts online. There are already independent sites for advice such as Safe Social Networking but maybe a more inventive and proactive approach is needed.

Any other opinions would be welcomed.