What’s social networking got to do with learning?

New research suggests its true potential is yet to come says Kevin Young of SkillSoft.

A year or so ago, having a policy on social networking usually amounted to regulating the use of Facebook during office hours. Now such an approach looks positively naïve. So what has changed?

First, time is proving that social networking is more than a craze or fad. The now familiar names; Twitter, Bebo, Linked in and so on, may in the future be replaced by others yet to be conceived, but the idea of communicating and sharing in this way looks here to stay.

Facebook, although only six years old, is the world’s most popular social site and grew by 105% last year. And, if you think that expansion is fast – Twitter grew by a phenomenal 900% in 2009.

The next change has come about because the world of business now recognises that this gateway into the real world of their customers is actually a valuable gift. For example, they can use it as a direct route to their customers; a free of charge billboard where their brand and its values can be reinforced without the expense of advertising.