Web2.0, social networking, virtual communities are just the latest stage in the development of the Internet. Sites like MySpace and Facebook have shown just how powerful the Internet can be in connecting people. However, there are black clouds on the horizon for these types of very open social networking sites. Spammers, phishers and stalkers are starting to abuse the very openness that makes these sites work.

In many ways there are strong parallels with the use of email. Email is a superb social tool for communication, but the openness of the email protocols and the ability to send email anonymously or from behind hidden identities means that 90% of email is now reported spam of one kind or another.

For social networking sites to keep visitors coming back, there is a need to start to look after visitors and users more, giving them more user driven control over their personal data and more control over who can see what. Large fully open areas will still be common, but for savvy users these open spaces will be places to find and invite friends to more private and select areas off the main open areas.

In particular in public areas, individuals will behave differently and expect to have different levels of privacy than in the more intimate private areas. And as the public areas are the places to meet new people, the more intimate private and semi-private areas will need different, more personal facilities for sharing, communicating and relaxing.

Like the development of a town square, social networking is starting to need a few local bars, coffee houses and other more intimate meeting places away from the hustlers and bustlers that are starting to crowd into the centre. Naturally these areas will all need to exist seemlessly and to be totally under user control, but it is quite possible to see that in the next 2-3 years Web2.0 for small groups will be operating symbiotically with Web2.0 for everyone.