Public Displays of Connection

Participants in social network sites create self-descriptive profiles that include their links to other members, creating a visible network of connections -- the ostensible purpose of these sites is to use this network to make friends, dates, and business connections. In this paper we explore the so...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inBT technology journal Vol. 22; no. 4; pp. 71 - 82
Main Authors Donath, J, Boyd, D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Ipswich British Telecommunications PLC 01.10.2004
Subjects
Access to information
Internet
Social conditions & trends
Social impact
Social networks
Studies
Trust
Websites
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:Participants in social network sites create self-descriptive profiles that include their links to other members, creating a visible network of connections -- the ostensible purpose of these sites is to use this network to make friends, dates, and business connections. In this paper we explore the social implications of the public display of one's social network. Why do people display their social connections in everyday life, and why do they do so in these networking sites? What do people learn about another's identity through the signal of network display? How does this display facilitate connections, and how does it change the costs and benefits of making and brokering such connections compared to traditional means? The paper includes several design recommendations for future networking sites. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:1358-3948
1573-1995
DOI:10.1023/B:BTTJ.0000047585.06264.cc