Article Idea:
Design and usability of social networking sites: What your target audience won't tell you
suggested by Christine Abela on 2007/03/02
This is the first part of a two-part article. The first part introduces the topic of design and usability for social networking sites and highlights elements that target audience members, specifically youth aged 11-17, will not tell you about. Youth embrace communication technology quickly and integrate it into “who they are” and simply “how they live.” Since social networking sites are so much a part of youth culture, the developers and designers of these sites should have a fundamental understanding of what the needs are for this audience in this environment. This article will introduce and address the needs for this enviroment as it relates to this target audience and make the case for why they are necessary.
Want to see this idea turned into a story?
11 people said yes. | 0 people said no.
Michael Beavers
69 Reputation points
Posted 2007/03/10 @ 10:48AM with
Hi, Christine. I would like to see this turned into a story, but you might approach it through the lens of Amy Jo Kim’s outlines of how online communities are formed. People are often surprised how relevant some of her observations in the early days of message boards are and still hold up under the bright glare of the Web 2.0 spotlight.
Why not apply a youth lens through her review categories?
Erin Malone
207 Reputation points
Posted 2007/03/31 @ 14:14PM with
This would be an interesting article, but how will this be different than the work that Danah Boyd has spoken about or published. Her specialty is youth and social networking. If this builds on her work and Amy Jo Kim’s work then this is a definite must publish, if its a rehash then I suggest look for a synthesis or new angle to add to the knowledge base.