While many would believe that social networks sites (SNS) offer the opportunity to mingle with a different segment of people than in real lives, a study (2008) by Eszter Hargittai suggests that college-age students in USA are more likely to be using online networks to interact with their friends in real life. The results suggested that students of Asian origin were more likely to use Friendster and Xanga whereas Hispanic students were more likely to be present on MySpace. Therefore, indicating that possibly students may be sticking with their own kind even on SNS.

When it comes to gender, more women are likely to use MySpace than men, however, on other SNS there is equal representation of both. Besides ethnicity and gender, the other factors that affected SNS use were parental education (high school or college degree), living context (at home or campus) and experience with Internet use. Facebook and Xanga users were more likely to have a parent with a college degree, were not living at home and used Internet for more hours weekly. MySpace users were more likely to be Hispanic, female and have a parent with less than high school degree.

Thus despite possibilities of leveling the field, SNS use of college-age students indicate that this is not yet happening.

I think Twitter is like speed dating.

You add people because you find something interesting about them and this could be what they mention in a simple sentence near their twitter handle. Then you get to know them through 140 characters. You exchange 140 character messages and then decide if you want to continue to know them on a longer basis.

Just 140 characters are enough and its relatively easy to follow or unfollow. No hard feelings

Compared to other social media networking sites, its relatively low involvement and less time investment. If you want people to know more about you or if you want to know more about them, you need to direct them or follow them outside of twitterverse.

Twitter is almost like scratching the surface, and if you spot Gold!!! go after it or else part ways and you don’t even need 140 characters for that!!!

The Comscore report on Indian Social networking revealed three important findings -

1. Over 19 millions Indians are visiting social networking sites showing an increase of 51% from previous year.

2. Global social networking sites such as Orkut, Facebook, hi5, LinkedIn are more popular among Indians and have shown an increase in the number of visits.

3. The top four social networking sites used by Indian internet users are -

• Orkut – 12.8 million visitors (up 81% from last year)
• Facebook -  4 million visitors (up 150% from last year)
• Bharatstudent.com – 3.3 million visitors (up 88% from last year)
• hi5 – 2 million visitors (up 182% from last year)

It may be important to note that the data for this analysis excludes site visitations from public cybercafes and mobile phones or PDAs.

The report noted that a social networking website with a global brand positioning is more likely to succeed in India. I think this points out to an interesting trend that Indians are using online social networking to maintain contacts with non-resident Indian friends and being a part of global culture. In my interviews too with young people in India I found that most of them view new communication technologies such as Internet and mobile phones as having globalizing potential. The “value” that young people in India seek from engaging in online social networking is “forming and maintaining long – distance friendships.”

Facebook has emerged as one of the most engaging social networking online platforms for me. I have been a member of Facebook since a long time, however, it was only in March 2008 that I started using Facebook seriously to expand my social network. Within this past year, my social network has grown considerably – I am connected with over 218 friends on Facebook. My social network on Facebook includes friends I have known in real life – my school, college and university friends, friends I have known socially, members of my extended family, my co-workers and my Professors. However, my network on Facebook also includes people who have approached me on Facebook for friendship – some I have met but there are a few who I have never met. I also have some requests pending because at times I am not sure if I should add people I don’t know. So I am sending messages to people who approach me for friendship on facebook without an introduction. 

Until now, I have mostly used Facebook for uploading fotos and albums to share with family and friends. I am almost fotoblogging – changing my profile pic and activities pics almost every week. I am also updating my status messages regularly and sometimes I get interesting comments on my status messages. I have yet to start importing my blog posts on Facebook which I am planning to do shortly. So I haven’t really written a lot of notes on Facebook.

On Facebook, I have also added fanpages of various filmmakers, authors and political leaders who have made an impression on me. I have also become a member of various groups of different kinds, however, to acknowledge, although I am a member of various groups, I have rarely posted or commented on any of the group pages. As of now I have just been a spectator to various group activities.

Overall, I can say that I have found my Facebook experience very useful and interesting. I think the most value I have received from Facebook has been in terms of expanding my social network and maintaining my social network of friends, family, and co-workers. Now that I am using Facebook for social networking quite successfully, I am wondering what other ways there are to enhance my Facebook experience. Your suggestions and ideas are welcome!!!