The Benefits of Facebook “Friends:” Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between use of Facebook, a popular online social network site, and the formation and maintenance of social capital. In addition to assessing bonding and bridging social capital, we explore a dimension of social capital that assesses one's ability to stay connected with members of a previously inhabited community, which we call maintained social capital. Regression analyses conducted on results from a survey of undergraduate students (N = 286) suggest a strong association between use of Facebook and the three types of social capital, with the strongest relationship being to bridging social capital. In addition, Facebook usage was found to interact with measures of psychological well-being, suggesting that it might provide greater benefits for users experiencing low self-esteem and low life satisfaction.

Measuring the extent and nature of use of Social Networking Sites in Medical Education (SNSME) by university students: Results of a multi-center study

“…The results of Kruskal–Wallis test showed that the students’ responses were significantly different for all statements p  < 0.05. The responses of fourth-year students significantly dominated those from other years as evident by their higher mean ranks, e.g., for statement 4, a significantly ( H (4) = 33.41, p  < 0.0001) highest mean rank of 790 by fourth year students than 651 for third year, 633 for second year, 626 for fifth year, and 534 for first year. Table 4 compares all statements on the basis of mean ranks across different age group of students and the results of Kruskal–Wallis test showed that the students’ responses were significantly different from each other for all statements p  < 0.05.…”

“…‘The SNSs are web-based platforms on which members can create personal profiles, articulate friendship connections, and socially interact with the friend connections by uploading, liking, and commenting on content such as photos, messages, and videos shared on newsfeeds’ [3]. A recent study by Duggan has shown that, among the American adults, a great majority use smart phones by adopting the Web 2.0-based applications of SNSs and approximately 72% use Facebook, 31% Pinterest, 28% Instagram, 25% LinkedIn, and 23% Twitter [4]. An indicator of popularity of such SNSs is reflected by the average time spent on Facebook alone that has increased from 40 min in 2014 to 50 min in 2016 [5].…”

Preference effects on friendship choice: Evidence from an online field experiment

“…SNSs allow individuals to present themselves according to their preferred image, to maintain their pre-existing social networks, or to assist individuals in building new connections based on shared characteristics, interests, political views, or activities (Boyd and Ellison, 2007;Ellison et al, 2007;Parks and Floyd, 1996;Wellman, 1996;Walther and Parks, 2002). SNSs likewise connect individuals in various arenas, such as romance (e.g., Friendster.com), business (e.g., LinkedIn.com), and shared interests (e.g., MySpace.com).…”

Keeping Safe Online: Perceptions of Gulf Adolescents

“…This may be an indication of the Gulf adolescents also having such contact with strangers online. Although empirical research indicates that online communication is mainly used for keeping in contact with friends made offline, rather than to make new contacts (Gross, 2004;Boneva et al, 2006;Ellison et al, 2007;Mensch and Talmud, 2007;Valkenburg and Peter, 2007) there are still a significant number who are in contact with virtual strangers.…”