Conference Papers -- American Sociological Association; 2004 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, pN.PAG, 0p
Subjects
SOCIAL networks, NETWORK analysis (Communication), SOCIAL groups, ETHNOLOGY, WEBSITES, SOCIAL theory, and INTERNET
Abstract
Social networking is a fundamental feature of all social software. From blogrolls to Buddylists, people have learned to negotiate implicit networks in everyday digital interaction. Social networking is now achieving popular and technological prominence via the Internet. Dozens of sites have emerged to address how social networks can help people connect to have sex, find jobs, sell cars, and waste inordinate amounts of time. Yet, people are also using these sites to negotiate identity and play. Embedded in the culture of social networks is an increasing tension between the creators and the users as each are unaware of the expectations and motivations of the other. In what ways are these sites intended to model offline behavior? How do the technological shifts create a shift in social behavior? Does current social theory properly explain the emerging behaviors or must new theories be developed that challenge the current? Drawing from ethnographic research on Friendster and other social networking sites, I discuss the tensions that have emerged between creators and users as both work to understand the emerging social and technological boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
