Advantage of SNS

The term Social Networking Site has often been used interchangeably with the term social network site. The definition of the two terms are one the same. According Boyd and Ellison, social network sites are, “web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system.

The nature and nomenclature of these connections may vary from site to site.” The authors chose the term network instead of networking simply because the latter term emphasizes building new relations between people. Although SNS have allowed people to meet others, it appears that the main purpose of SNS is to communicate with people who are already part of their extended social network.

Social network sites are used in different ways and for different purposes. Users of such sites take advantage of its various features that allow them to do different things. One feature of social network sites that is considered advantageous is that it allows users to share information with each other.

Also, users have the option to share only the information that they want. Each user of each site has a profile page. This page contains a personalized description of the member.

Demographic details, tastes, videos and photographs are the common things found on profiles. (Boyd) From these pages, the users can share their information with others people. Also, some use SNS to share pictures and videos with their friends.

SNS are also useful for they allow users to build new relationships and maintain current ones. Some use such sites to meet new people. According to Lenhart and Madden, “For girls, social networking sites are places to reinforce pre-existing friendships, while for the boys who use the sites, the networks provide opportunities for flirting and making new friends.”

Social network sites are commonly utilized to communicate with friends. In a study conducted on why teens use social network sites, Lenhart and Madden found that, “91% of all social networking teens say they use the sites to stay in touch with friends they see frequently, while 82% use the sites to stay in touch with friends they rarely see in person.”

Whatever type of relationship it is, it is evident that social networking sites build and foster relationships particularly friendships.

Another reason why social networking sites are useful and popular is that it builds and strengthens communities. Social network sites allow users to choose the people who will become part of their network. These associations form the communities.

Choosing Friends in social network sites give the users a chance to write their communities into being. (Boyd). SNS creates and improves communities based on similarities between users. Some sites such as MySpace connect people based on shared interests. (Ellison et al)

Also some sites such as Facebook allow its members to, “Join virtual groups based on common interests, see what classes they have in common, and learn each others’ hobbies, interests, musical tastes, and romantic relationship status through the profiles.” (Ellison et al)

Social network sites are advantageous because they allow users to create their identity and space. Through the profiles, the users are able to create an image of themselves. Their profile page is their space, defined they way they want and containing the things they want.

More importantly, the user’s social network is his space and he has the ability to change it simply by adding or removing people from his list. His social network defines his identity as well. According to Donath and Boyd, “Public displays of connection serve as important identity signals.”

Works Cited

• boyd, danah, & Ellison, Nicole. “Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship.” Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 2007, 13(1), article 11.  2 December 2007 <http://jcmc.indiana.edu/vol13/issue1/boyd.ellison.html>.
• boyd, danah. “Why Youth (Heart) Social Network Sites: The Role of Networked Publics in Teenage Social Life.” In David Buckingham (Ed.), Youth, Identity, and Digital Media (pp. 119-142). Cambridge: MIT Press. 2 December 2007 <http://www.danah.org/papers/WhyYouthHeart.pdf>.