ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Opportunistic mobile social networks

Imagine you and your friends are at a playground, but you don't have any toys to play with. Suddenly you see some other kids with toys, and you ask if you can join in and play with them. This is called being opportunistic - taking advantage of an opportunity when it arises.

Now imagine if that playground was a virtual space, like your phone or computer. And the other kids with toys were people who have social media profiles and are nearby. If you could connect with them, you could expand your network and have more fun.

That's what opportunistic mobile social networks do. They use your phone's location to connect you with people you wouldn't normally interact with, but who are nearby. And they do it in real time, so you can meet new people and share information or experiences with them on the spot.

For example, if you're at a concert and you want to see who else is there, you can use an opportunistic mobile social network to see who else is nearby and maybe make new friends. Or if you're in a new city and you want to explore, you can use the network to find locals who can give you tips on where to go and what to do.

Opportunistic mobile social networks can be really helpful for making new connections and enhancing your social life. Just like at the playground, you can take advantage of opportunities when they arise and have more fun with new friends.