The very definition of the term "social networking," used to describe sites like Facebook and Twitter will probably evolve to address the broader needs of businesses and other, more "serious" communities.

At the recent "Always On" conference at Stanford University, Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz said that"You won't find the name social networking anywhere on our site," "I do think the name has become a stigma that can prevent [social networking] from spreading to other communities."

A panel speaking the virtual Web challenged the conventional wisdom of these communities as entertainment sites for the young, and said they would increasingly be used by an older, more business-focused segment of society. Some 60% of all Facebook new users are in the 30 and older age range which includes a growing population of professionals.

The way social networks such as Twitter and Pownce are used has spawned a flurry of innovative application development, much of it aimed at enhancing wireless access. "We already have a bunch of users in Japan who only access the site over wireless," said MySpace co-founder DeWolfe.

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