Alternatively, tools such as Instagram are great tools for those operating in resident mode. As I noted in workshops last year at the NAG conference, Instagram users spend approximately 257 mins per month on the site. At just under 10mins per day, it appears to suggest the tool is used by those happily exhibiting resident behaviours (Pinterest users, according to figures published in 2012, spend approximately 98 mins per month, suggesting people use it for a specific task). As I found when delivering my workshops, those in the 16-24 age bracket have long since shifted to the service from Facebook etc as a place to share visual content (a recent Ofcom report found that 35% of 16-24 year olds use Instagram as opposed to 16% of all adults - PDF). With that level of engagement, it clearly makes the case for library services to engage in this space and provide content that takes advantage of the resident mode users appear to be in when using the service.
Whilst it is useful to consider social media in reference to visitor and resident behaviours, it’s important not to be restrictive in how it is factored into social media use. As David White himself explains:
"What’s key here is to recognise that the type of platform does not mandate the mode of use. Apparently 'resident' style platforms such as blogs and Twitter are used very effectively by individuals in 'visitor' mode. Focusing on mode of engagement rather than specific technologies leads to more elegant and effective engagement strategies."
Whilst it is useful to use these behaviours as a framework, it’s important not to fall into the trap of believing that Twitter is only ever used in resident mode. Tools such as Twitter are equally used effectively by those wishing to obtain information without leaving a footprint (searches and hashtags are particularly helpful in this regard). Social media platforms aren’t visitor or resident specific, rather they often meet the needs of these modes in different ways.
This notion of behaviours on a continuum is, I think, a really helpful way to consider how people use digital spaces. As Ned Potter puts it, there is the potential to "use social media platforms to provide easy entry points for Visitors seeking information AND use it to add our voice to a more Residential space and provide help and information as part of a community". Prensky’s approach was very much of its time, but it's important to move beyond that and understand that how people engage with online spaces is far more complex than the media (and others!) may like to present it.
Ian Clark is Librarian and co-founder of a leading national library advocacy campaign. He has written articles on a range of professional issues for a number of publications including The Guardian, Library Journal and the Open Rights Group – and of course Information Today Europe.