Since the introduction of online social networking, the way we communicate with each other has changed dramatically. Beginning with the website, 'Sixdegrees.com', social networking has become widely popular amongst internet users and continues to evolve and shape its way into and around our ways of life.
As explained by Donath and Boyd (2004), Social Networking is when "participants create a self descriptive profile and make links to other members". This brief description explains one of the main uses of social networking, though over the years websites such as Myspace.com, Facebook.com and Twitter.com have changed and added features to the concept, changing the way we use social networking websites.
Some users choose to display themselves online as who they are, what they believe or use social networking to co-ordinate their social and/or business lives. As Donath and Boyd explain, "social status, political beliefs, musical taste, etc, may be inferred from the company one keeps". This could clarify why some people use social networking websites truthfully as they may be proud of who they are and who they associate with. On the other hand, the Pearson (2008) reading, "All the World Wide Web's a Stage: The performance of identity in online social networks.", delves into how some people use social networking to "construct identity performances fitting their milieu".
Interesting stuff.
