## Chapter 3

## Possibilities Engendered by a Symbiotic Networked Society

Section 1

## Realization of a Ubiquitous Networked Society

### 1. Realization of a Ubiquitous Networked Society

The Information and Communications in Japan 2004 White Paper stated: "A ubiquitous networked society is becoming a reality in which anyone with any device at any time from any place can access a network and freely exchange information." ICT has become deeply immersed in our society and has developed into a public infrastructure that sustains citizen's lives and corporate activities. The ubiquitous networked society is no longer a vision; it is quickly becoming a reality.

Section 2

## Possibilities and challenges of Social Media

### 1. Despite ICT's penetration of society, challenges remain for attaining an abundant, user-friendly society

The number of single-person households, seniors living alone, and single-parent households is forecast to rise $ ^{36} $ in the future, prompting concern about people becoming progressively segmented and isolated from society. As discussed in Chapter 2, one of the government's aims is to realize a society in which no one is excluded from mutual support networks — in other words, an inclusive society for all. ICT is expected to play a definite role in forming networks that will assist the attainment of this kind of inclusive society.

### 2. Expectations for social media

Social media is seen as having the potential to contribute positively to the real world in several ways. These include bringing people together and reviving or creating bonds between them as well as resolving personal concerns and difficulties faced by individuals. In the context of social isolation mentioned above, social media is expected to play a definite role in providing mutual support networks within individual's personal social relationships. Accordingly, we have verified the ways in which social media affects interpersonal relationships and people's real-world activities and analyzed social media's possibilities and challenges.

### 3. Possibilities and challenges of social media

## (1) Current status of social media use

### A. Number of social media services currently used and past usage

In our study of the number of social media services currently being used and those that have been used, 42.9 percent of respondents were currently using at least one social media service. Of all respondents, 17.5 percent said they used only one service, while 25.4 percent said they used more than one service. Thus, nearly 60 percent of social media users use more than one service. $ ^{37} $ Additionally, 10.0 percent of respondents said they had used a social media service in the past but currently do not.

The breakdown by age reveals a substantial difference in current usage rates between age brackets. The younger the demographic, the higher the usage rates: for example, the usage rate between 10 and 19 was 71.7 percent, whereas the usage rate 60 and older was just 22.3 percent. Furthermore, the younger the age bracket, the more multiple service users. For example, almost 70 percent of social media users between 10 and 19 use multiple services, whereas only about half of social media users 60 and older use multiple services (Figure 2-3-2-1).

### B. Types of social media currently used

In general, men tend to use social media more than