# Selective Social Social media caters to conscientious user preferences. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Dec 14, 2015 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/selective-social ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.2/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Selective Social trend? **Selective Social:** As online identity and security become more of an issue, people are becoming increasingly selective with how they use social media. As a result, many social services are adapting to conscientious user styles, offering quick deletion, temporary uses or even content management. This progression speaks to a consumer desire to maintain control over their image within the chaos of the digital age. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 19, 2014 to Dec 15, 2015 - Published: Dec 14, 2015 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection), [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Selective Social trend ### Selective Social As online identity and security become more of an issue, people are becoming increasingly selective with how they use social media. This progression speaks to a consumer desire to maintain control over their image within the chaos of the digital age. ### Ephemeral Content People's increasing concerns about privacy and security are driving the popularity of apps and extensions that allow for self-destructing content, which can arguably help control their online image. ### Content Removal Emerging technologies that allow people to delete inappropriate content or hold off sharing it are being developed to ensure privacy and protection online, addressing pressing issues about social media. ## What the Selective Social trend means for industry ### For Social Media Social media companies can enhance existing functionalities and develop additional features that cater to conscientious user styles and cater to privacy and identity concerns. ### For Cybersecurity With people's digital privacy concerns on the rise, cybersecurity companies that specialize in developing apps, plugins, and extensions can benefit from the public's increasing search for tools that can protect them online. ### For Content Moderation Emerging industries that help monitor, moderate, and analyze digital footprints may gain popularity as people become more conscious of the possible effects of unchecked social media content on their personal and professional lives. ## Workshop question How can your company selectively create a more focused front-facing brand identity in the social media age? ## Trend signals for Selective Social Trend score 3.2 out of 10, from popularity 58%, activity 30%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 58% - Activity: 30% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Selective Social trend 5 featured examples from Sep 19, 2014 to Dec 15, 2015. - [Inappropriate Content-Monitoring Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-footprint): The Xpire App Helps You Keep Your Digital Footprint Small (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The need for secure and private internet experiences creates opportunities for cybersecurity companies to develop advanced privacy solutions. - [Temporary Streaming Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meerkat-app): The Meerkat App Brings Live-Streaming Video to Twitter (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for social media platforms to integrate live video streaming capabilities into their platforms - [Ephemeral Email Extensions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfdestructing-email): This Chrome Plugin Offers Self-Destructing Email for Sensitive Content (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Companies in the technology industry can integrate self-destructing email and encrypted messaging features into their platforms to provide enhanced security and privacy to their u… - [Social Encryption Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-chrome-plugin): The Facebook Activity Remover Google Chrome Plug-In Keeps Profiles (Category: Tech) Implication: Social media platforms could benefit from developing more privacy-focused features or partnering with developers to create secure plug-ins like Facebook Activity Remover. - [Content Removal Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/remove-inappropriate-content): This App Helps Users Remove Inappropriate Content from Social Media (Category: Tech) Implication: The social media industry can benefit greatly from the development of content filtering apps, as it can provide better protection for their users' reputations and privacy. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)