The growing number of anonymous communication platforms highlights the importance and scale of the desire for privacy online. Anonymity has gained a sense of authenticity and safety – and only by understanding this can brands continue to communicate effectively.

Taking status creation to a whole new level, Facebook is doing away with typing altogether. Using a Shazam-style feature that picks up sounds via microphones, Facebook can detect songs and TV shows, and will automatically add it to a status before a person finishes typing.

In a hyper-connected world, fending off loneliness is harder than ever, driven by a constant fear of missing out. Studies have claimed that due to this, Facebook makes us feel more lonely - but new research suggests just the logo can actually make people feel more connected.

Facebook already knows if someone is single or dating, where they went to school, and whether they like Rihanna or Beyoncé. But now the social network has revealed that it can make people feel happy or sad depending on the pictures, videos and comments it shows them.