Online Social Networking
Description:
Although social networking is possible in person, especially in the workplace, universities, and high schools, it is most popular online. When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social networking websites function like an online community of internet users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online community members share a common interest such as hobbies, religion, or politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website you can begin to socialize.
This socialization may include reading the profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.
Social network sites (SNSs) such as MySpace, Facebook, Cyworld, and Bebo have attracted millions of users, many of whom have integrated these sites into their daily practices. Some sites cater to diverse audiences, while others attract people based on common language or shared racial, sexual, religious, or nationality-based identities.
Enablers:
- Searching for cultural diversity.
- Searching for group with common interests.
- Necessity of feeling part of a community.
- Exchange of opinions with experts in a specific area.
Inhibitors:
- Threat to privacy and online predators.
- Cultural boundaries.
- Fear to discrimination.
Paradigms:
Emerging paradigms associated with the online social networking
- Changing of mind. New concept of social community.
- Interaction between online and offline network.
Experts:
- Facebook. www.facebook.com
- My Space. www.myspace.com
- Twitter. www.twitter.com
Timing:
- First recognizable social network site launched in 1997.
- From 1997 to 2001, a number of community tools began supporting various combinations of profiles and publicly articulated Friends.
- The Korean virtual worlds site Cyworld was started in 1999 and added SNS features in 2001.
- The next wave of SNSs began when Ryze.com was launched in 2001 to help people leverage their business networks.
- Facebook began in early
- In September 2005, Facebook expanded to include high school students, professionals inside corporate networks, and, eventually, everyone.
reference: Danah M. Boyd "School of Information" - University of California-Berkeley
Web Resources:
http://www.whatissocialnetworking.com/. Accessed on: 19/92009
http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html. Accessed on: 19/92009