What is social networking?

Our mobile expert says...

Your kids are simply referring to staying in contact with friends by accessing social networking websites, like Facebook, from mobile phones.

The social networking craze is already in full swing on mobile phones but if you want to catch up, it’s easy.

Social networks on mobile phones

Social networks are simply websites where you interact with friends and family by sending them messages, pictures and more.

Mobile phones with 3G or wi-fi wireless internet support access these websites through dedicated applications (apps), meaning you can stay socially connected without switching on a PC.

The most popular social networking apps for mobile phones are Facebook and Twitter, though the two are very different.

Facebook app

The Facebook app offers most of the official website’s features, including:

• Address book - a virtual Rolodex of everyone you’re friends with on Facebook
• Messages - post and reply to messages on your “wall”. Some will be directed at you, others might be messages one of your friends wrote to another - though they still appear on your wall and you can reply to them
• Chat - talk to friends in private online rooms
• Inbox - friends can send you private written messages like a basic form of email
• Events - an interactive diary where you invite friends to social events. For example, you can invite friends to a pub drink by sending them an event invitation that includes the name of the pub, pictures and even its website URL.

The Facbook app comes pre-installed on some mobile phones (usually smartphones). The app’s also free to download from app stores, such as the iPhone App Store and Android Market.

Twitter app

Twitter’s unique selling point is its simplicity because you have just 140 characters with which to say whatever you like.

You follow people (friends, usually) and they can follow you on Twitter. Followers can read your 140 character messages - often referred to as “tweets”.

Many famous people use Twitter and you’ll be able to follow them - you could respond to a tweet by actor/author Stephen Fry or Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, for example, and receive a personalised tweet back in response.

Twitter may soon also let you add photos to your tweets.

Mobile phone social networking: the future

With so many social networking websites already available, and more launching all the time, it can be difficult to keep up-to-date if you use more than one.

Thankfully mobile phone apps are available which let you manage multiple social networks from within one app. Popular apps include Google Buzz, Gist and Bump.

All work slightly differently, but essentially let you write messages or post pictures which are then added to Twitter and Facebook simultaneously.