interaction on SNSs

While studying SNSs, I've analysed the ways I communicate with my friends online. I think that SNSs are good to connect with friends that you don't see everyday especially when they are overseas and I often find myself to talk more comfortably online to some friends than offline. One friend and I don't see each other often but regularly talk on facebook and like some of the readings I've read, different topics are approached at certain times without the awkward silence gap.

With Donath's reading I agree that there are hierarchies in the friendships within SNSs and I can clearly say that I visit more of my strong ties' profiles and comment on things rather than my weak ties' profiles. Although some people are concerned with the privacy of their profiles and do not want to meet new 'friends' on SNSs, it is all in the options and decisions we make in how we approve friendships and the settings we make on our profiles.

Unlike other SNSs, the korean SNS cyworld allows a different process when signing up. They have an identity verification process which requires users to type in their name followed by their korean identification number which is issued by the government to all citizens when they are born. Because cyworld is based on verified identities, in a way it is easier to recognise your actual friends and see if the person is legitimate or not.

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