COM 300 Basic Concepts of New Media The Benefits of Facebook

Facebook as Social Network Site (SNS) Bridge online and offline connections Primarily served a geographically-bound community Online SNSs support the maintenance of existing social ties and the formation of new connections. When online and offline overlap- the directionality was online to offline

Bridge online and offline connections

Primarily served a geographically-bound community

Online SNSs support the maintenance of existing social ties and the formation of new connections.

When online and offline overlap- the directionality was online to offline

Social Capital: Online and Offline Social capital- resources accumulated through the relationships among people. “ The sum of the resources, actual or virtual, that accrue to an individual pr a group by virtue of possessing a durable network of more or less institutionalized relationships of mutual acquaintance and recognition” Positive social outcome when increase Bridging and bonding social outcome Maintained social capital

Social capital- resources accumulated through the relationships among people.

“ The sum of the resources, actual or virtual, that accrue to an individual pr a group by virtue of possessing a durable network of more or less institutionalized relationships of mutual acquaintance and recognition”

Positive social outcome when increase

Bridging and bonding social outcome

Maintained social capital

Social Capital and Internet Hypothesis 1 : Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived bridging social capital. Hypothesis 2 : Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived bonding social capital. Hypothesis 3 : The relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bridging and/or bonding social capital will vary depending on the degree of a person’s self esteem and/or satisfaction with life. Hypothesis 4 : Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived maintained social capital.

Hypothesis 1 : Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived bridging social capital.

Hypothesis 2 : Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived bonding social capital.

Hypothesis 3 : The relationship between intensity of Facebook use and bridging and/or bonding social capital will vary depending on the degree of a person’s self esteem and/or satisfaction with life.

Hypothesis 4 : Intensity of Facebook use will be positively associated with individuals’ perceived maintained social capital.

Discussion Facebook can help students accumulate and maintain bridging social capital. Facebook may be helping to overcome barriers faced by people who have low satisfaction and low self-esteem – “poor get richer” hypothesis. Facebook less useful for maintaining and creating bonding social capital Facebook intensity increased levels of maintained social capital.

Facebook can help students accumulate and maintain bridging social capital.

Facebook may be helping to overcome barriers faced by people who have low satisfaction and low self-esteem – “poor get richer” hypothesis.

Facebook less useful for maintaining and creating bonding social capital

Facebook intensity increased levels of maintained social capital.

Facebook Link to abstract