Social Networking

Social networking is the use of internet-based social media programs to make connections with friends, family, classmates, customers and clients. 

These more business related sites have their own nomenclature for the most part but the most common naming conventions are "Vocational Networking Sites" or "Vocational Media Networks", with the former more closely tied to individual networking relationships based on social networking principles.

The lowest percentages of friendless members are among the pet sites, where the purpose is entirely social and there are few factors preventing people from connecting (i.e., it carries fewer implications to say ?my dog wants to be friends with your dog? than to say ?I want to be friends with you?).

The articles in this section address a variety of social network sites—BlackPlanet, Cyworld, Dodgeball, Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube—from multiple theoretical and methodological angles, building on previous studies of SNSs and broader theoretical traditions within CMC research, including relationship maintenance and issues of identity, performance, privacy, self-presentation, and civic engagement.

This section provides tips for evaluating these online resources, helpful advice and ideas for promoting safe social networking and shares examples of how social networks can and are being used in schools, at home, and on mobiles worldwide to support informal and formal learning.