Mobile social networks are enabled by the emergence of mobile and ubiquitous applications, providing social networking and social media functionalities in diverse contexts. This chapter focuses on social behavior in mobile social networks: We fi rst discuss different aspects of mobile social networks. After that, we briefl y describe exemplary systems. Finally, we summarize recent real-world analysis results, especially focusing on links and contacts between individuals, characterization of their roles, and dynamics of communities in mobile social networks.
IntroductionMobile social networks are usually created using pervasive and ubiquitous applications. In this way, mobile social systems help to bridge the gap between physical and online worlds, utilizing context awareness, pervasive computing, distributed computing, and sensor networks.Mobile devices, such as smartphones or RFID tags coupled with appropriate ubiquitous and social applications, enable an integrated approach for both physical and digital social interactions. In that way, mobile social networking specifi cally includes networking options that are only possible on mobile and ubiquitous devices. It is important that mobile social networks are not restricted to networks provided by smartphone technology. For example, an RFID sensor network is one prominent kind of mobile social network that enables the capture, analysis, and processing of offl ine interactions in order to support social networking and provide sophisticated social services in ubiquitous environments.