INF206 - What is Social Networking?

Assessment One - What is Social Networking?

When we hear the term social networking I imagine like many people of online tools, i.e. Facebook and Twitter.

I can't help but agree with a statement that suggests social networking is not new as people have always been sharing and communicating with each (OCLC Report, 2007, p.2-1). What has change is the platform that is being used to do this.

However, in the context of this subject, social networking is the practise of creating online relationships, sharing interests, communicating ideas, producing content and sharing images.
Social networking is using Web 2.0 technologies to build relationships with other like minded individuals.  Facebook for instance provides the platform for users to contact friends, family, school friends, work colleagues, hobby groups and educational purposes.  Twitter considered a micro blogging tool, where users can make very brief comments often just grabbing the attention of their reader to start a thread that others can contribute to. LibraryThing where users/readers can contribute to other readers experience by reviewing and recommending material.