The potential of next-generation social media

Traditional social media adopted a business model that mainly relied on advertising revenue. In this model, revenue is generated by mass communication in terms of the number of unique users, and by providing an attractive platform for advertisers by collecting and analyzing user data and providing highly accurate targeted advertising.

On the other hand, there have been frequent problems with personal information leaks and privacy violations, and problems have arisen in which users' trust is shaken. It has also been pointed out that information filtering by algorithms can lead to information bias and echo chamber phenomena*1. To address these issues, the evolution of social media using next-generation technologies is expected.

Next-generation social media will aim to be a more decentralized and transparent platform using advanced technologies such as AI, blockchain, and metaverse. This is expected to protect users' privacy and promote fair information distribution.

The Importance of Next-Generation Social Media

It may not be just a technological advancement. It is even possible that the nature of information in society as a whole, the form of communication, and the mechanism of economic activity may fundamentally change. Here, let us consider its importance from three aspects in particular: information transparency and reliability, privacy protection, and the reconstruction of the ecosystem.

① Information transparency and reliability If social media using blockchain technology can be provided, information transparency and reliability can be increased. Blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that records transaction history in a form that cannot be tampered with, and by applying this to the distribution of information, it is possible to suppress the spread of fake news and misinformation. In addition, since the source and authenticity of information can be easily confirmed, the technology and structure allow users to receive information with peace of mind.

② Privacy protection In conventional social media, the collection and use of user data has been a problem, but next-generation social media has the potential to give users more control over their own data. For example, by using blockchain technology, it is possible to decentralize and manage user data and protect privacy. This allows users to understand how their information is being used and even choose whether or not to provide it if necessary.

③ Reconstruction of the ecosystem Next-generation social media will also contribute to the creation of a new economic model. By moving away from the traditional advertising model and introducing a token economy, it will be possible to provide direct rewards for users' activities and contributions. This will allow users to receive compensation for their content and interactions*2, which will motivate them to participate more actively in the platform.

POINT 1

One in two people in their 20s use both browser search and SNS search

According to a survey by Hakuhodo Institute of Life and Living, many people in their 20s use browser search and SNS in parallel. In particular, among users aged 20 to 24, more than 50% use X (formerly Twitter) at the same time as browser search, followed by Instagram.

The age group that supports a country's economy depends on the country's labor force and consumption power, but the age group between 25 and 54 is usually considered the most important. If the generation that currently uses SNS the most becomes the core that supports the economy in the future, it is clear that the importance of SNS will increase even more.

POINT 2

Most of the concerns about SNS are related to personal information. BLOG users are especially concerned!

Concerns about personal information were compared between the overall population, SNS users, blog users, and X users, and concerns felt in the digital space were highlighted. 80.2% of the total respondents were concerned about "their personal information being leaked," which was the highest concern of all groups.

Managing personal information and protecting privacy on digital platforms are important concerns for many users. These issues are expected to be polarized into those that will expand and those that will be resolved as a result of the fusion of SNS and next-generation technology, so measures on the platform side will continue to be important.

Outlook for the next generation of social media

Next-generation social media will play an important role in the digital society of the future. The fusion of these technologies, such as content generation and customization by AI, data transparency and security by blockchain, and new forms of communication in the metaverse space, is likely to provide users with a safer and more reliable platform.

In this special feature, we will delve into each aspect of next-generation social media in detail, introducing specific examples and technical details. This will allow you to experience the potential of this new technology.

Glossary:

Echo chamber : phenomenon In communities such as SNS where users with similar values ​​and ways of thinking gather, the phenomenon in which opinions similar to your own are the only ones you hear.

Interaction : The response of a system or device to an operation by a user. Refers to the general concept of connecting people and devices through functions.