Your New "Room"

Facebook is creating new social media outlets in the attempt to reach markets which are not going to Facebook as frequently. On October 24, 2014, Facebook released their new app called "Rooms". The app description in the Itunes app store is "Rooms lets you create places for the things you're passionate about. Pick a topic, customize the look and feel, be whoever you want to be and share with others. It's perfect for the things you love and interests that make you unique".  

 What is the goal?

This app is trying to bring back the chat atmosphere we experienced back with AOL chats. Facebook is trying to bring this back but in the mobile realm. The company is encouraging the use of nicknames and keeping the chats anonymous, if you choose. QR codes are also included for each chat room so if you share the code, people just have to take a picture of the code to access. This is the app's form of invitations. More recently we have been seeing an increase of apps which offer anonymous posting and chats. I want to specifically touch on the problems being seen in these upcoming "anonymous" apps. 

http://www.google.com

Secret, Whisper & Yik Yak

A handful of apps, only to name the well-known few, have already hit the "anonymous" app scene. Each of these apps have offered users a seemingly anonymous experience. Another aspect each has in common is the major negative side of offering anonymity. I have recently seen a lot of backlash in the news because of users abusing the apps. Facebook or any company creating a new user experience must consider cons, especially when it is something so prevalent in the news. These apps have created modifications to prevent bullying and app abuse, but my question to all this..is it really worth it to have these apps? Yes it creates the opportunity for open discussion but it also opens the dangerous window in which companies will face the negative publicity for. Could Facebook be next with their Rooms app? 

Anonymous is Never Really Anonymous

https://www.google.com/

The big take away for anyone using social media whether it be a company or an individual, is that nothing is ever really anonymous. Everyone should be conscious of this fact and share this with the younger generations to counter these issues. Posting certain things without thinking can lead to big trouble. This all ties back into my post a couple weeks ago Share with Care. http://jldamouras.blogspot.com/2014/10/share-with-care.html Employees, especially younger ones, (since these apps target the 18-24 demographic) need to be aware of what they are saying. 

Check out more about "Rooms" on CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/23/tech/mobile/facebook-rooms-app/index.html