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Article
Towards Inclusive Social Networks for the Developing World
Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, LNICST
  • Christian Akpona, University of Abomey-Calavi
  • Rose Gohoue, University of Abomey-Calavi
  • Herve Ahouantchede, University of Abomey-Calavi
  • Fatna Belqasmi, Zayed University
  • Roch Glitho, University of Abomey-Calavi
  • Jules Degila, University of Abomey-Calavi
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract

© 2018, ICST Institute for Computer Sciences, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering. Social networks (e.g. Facebook) are becoming ubiquitous, especially in the developed world. However, they rely on two fundamental assumptions (i.e., reliable Internet connectivity, literacy) that exclude scores of potential end-users, especially in the developing world. Including these potential end-users will require lifting those two assumptions. This paper is a first step towards inclusive social networks in the developing world. It proposes and validates a two-layer system architecture. The proposed architecture allows end-users to access the social network with low-end cellular phones, using voice and Short Message Service (SMS), in addition to traditional access via a computer or smart phone, using keyboards. We have built a proof of concept prototype in which poorly literate end-users are included in two simplified dedicated social networks (a small farmers’ social network and a motorcycle taxis’ social network).

ISBN
9783319667416
Publisher
Springer Verlag
Disciplines
Keywords
  • Developing economies,
  • Inclusive social networks,
  • Low-end cellular phones,
  • SMS,
  • Social networks,
  • Text-to-speech
Scopus ID
85032878606
Indexed in Scopus
Yes
Open Access
No
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-66742-3_5
Citation Information
Christian Akpona, Rose Gohoue, Herve Ahouantchede, Fatna Belqasmi, et al.. "Towards Inclusive Social Networks for the Developing World" Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, LNICST Vol. 208 (2018) p. 42 - 52 ISSN: <a href="https://v2.sherpa.ac.uk/id/publication/issn/1867-8211" target="_blank">1867-8211</a>
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/fatna-belqasmi/25/