Social network sites
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 by Sion
Online social networking, particularly MySpace and Facebook, has become a popular way for people to maintain connections with friends both local and long distance. The internet community is quickly changing and evolving as more of the world comes online. Such sites are increasingly popular across various demographics, with millions of users worldwide. Social network websites make personal information publicly accessible, while also allowing the user to portray a particular identity through individualized profiles in virtual space. A feature of SNS profiles is the possibility for users to see the number and identity of other user’s contacts. What Donath and Boyd argue is that "Public displays of connection" serve as important identity signals that help people navigate the networked social world, in that an extended network may serve to validate identity information presented in profiles. This sense of context and online identity can be of particular importance for individuals who perceive themselves as lacking such in the real world.