Social Computing: Study on the Use and Impact of Online Social Networking

JRC IPTS Study, by Romina Cachia, 11/2008, EUR Number: 23565 EN. This study presents results of a case study on SNS, as part of an exploratory research project. It argues that though SNS can appear to be similar, many of them are, in fact, quite different in terms of purpose and use. In general, these sites have led to new ways of managing and maintaining social networks, whereby personal profiles and social networks are being visualised and disclosed to others and the boundaries between the virtual and the real are disappearing. As a result, both opportunities and concerns arise. Policymakers should be aware of these and researchers should further investigate their implications.

The link address is: http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=1884