Social media is changing the way we think, connect and live—and no one is immune to this transformation—not even the federal government. Many federal departments, through mediums such as USA.gov, are considered to be exceptional resources for information relevant to Americans nationwide. Yet, despite that fact, we routinely think of the government, bureaucratic processes in particular, as being several steps behind modern technology. But with the new mobile applications and social media presence announced by the Obama administration this week, that trend may be about to change.

In an effort to make federal information, such as data, reports and announcements, more accessible to everyone, the American government will now offer and distribute free apps compatible with iPhone, Android and Blackberry mobile devices. Currently, 18 apps are available from the site USA.gov, and there are indications that more are on their way. Among those offered, some provide services, such as the ‘product recalls’ and ‘find your embassy’ apps, and others merely function as distributors of relevant information, such as “the white house” app, which provides users with real-time news from the Oval Office.

But what may be even more revolutionary for the federal government than the release of official mobile apps, is the presence that bureaucrats are working to build on social networks, both public and more privately controlled. For example, a survey of the Federal officials by Market Connections found that 55% of those who responded use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to reach out to their constituents, as well as broader, politically-inclined audiences.

What may prove yet more impressive, is how departments are planning to implement internal social media processes in order to promote collaboration and facilitate Government contracting, a $500 billion per year industry.  The goal that federal officials seem to have in mind for these more official networks, such as the United States’ GSA Wiki, is making bureaucratic processes both more transparent and more collaborative.

This model may prove successful for the Government and everyone interested in bureaucratic policy, but social media services can provide this level of connectivity for all kinds of organizations and communities, whether the desired networking is private or public. Social networking strategies, much like the one that the federal Government plans to employ, can provide a great deal of value to the communities that they are created to serve, by bringing people and ideas together and by making relevant content and resources available to a congregation of interested and engaged subscribers. At DevelopmentNow, we provide this space for sharing, connecting and collaborating to our clients by building fun, secure and easy to use networks for communities of all sorts and sizes. Don’t be left behind as communities connect over the ‘social’ web. To learn more about our social network services and how we have helped our clients connect, call us today and find out how we bring people together.