According to Norris (2004) asserts that “internet participation bridging social divisions of generation, race, and class or bonding with people with similar interests and beliefs.”Norris also argued that both bonding would and bridging social networks strengthen the relationships between the online participants, build social capital, which is like the financial or human capital as Norris described, build trustful connections and get people close together.
However, Norris noted that some drawbacks such as social division into groups according to different ethnics beliefs, race, religion, or racial with which conflicts may arise. Norris also argued that “the more passive internet population ‘normalization’” can kill the enthusiasts among the internet. In addition, there are certain features of the internet that might transfer those traditional divisions. Norris also expected the textual communication via the internet might replace the “standard visual and aural cues of social identity” such as: race, age, and socioeconomic status. Norris noted that anonymity may affect certain groups such as: single mothers working at home, gay men, and rural poor population and become isolated.
Whereas, Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe (2011) found out that: “only social information-seeking behaviors contribute to perceptions of social capital.” They also found that there are many benefits of social interactions such as: emotional support, share ideas, and find new information, and that people who have more friends profile list are more likely to have social capital.
Just like Norris, Ellison, Steinfield, and Lampe also noted that bonding and bridging strengthen weak ties and that social network sites such as Facebook are connecting and getting people together because it is cheap and fast way to communicate. Facebook also contain features that connected strangers to friend each other such as: Groups, networks, fan pages, social games (Farmville), applications, photographs, interest-based profile fields, status updates. Therefore, the more people have skills and ability to use to the more they engage into social networks, and the more they would have social capital benefits.
On the other hand, the study concluded that “using the internet to meet new people was associated with higher depression scores seven months later.” In addition, those weak ties can construct and replace the time spent with strong ties.
After all, I agree with both of the studies that SNS helped bring people together and build social capital. Not only can people connect with close friends and old friends and family members, but also they can find new friends through their friends with the help with the Facebook variety of its features such as: poke, message, brows, and try friend them, and much more, I was able to expand my friend list. Also some of my friends invited me to become member of certain groups that I have common interest with them such as national origin or religion beliefs which added to my friend list hundreds of new friends who they are strangers that I never met before in real life. Finally, I agree with the idea that those social networks may be danger in which they can divide people into different ethnic groups and lead to racial conflicts in our society.
You mention that social networks can divide people into different ethnic groups and lead to racial conflicts in our society. That is true and that can be very dangerous, especially in trying to diminish racism. However, I can see why racial groups divide, I think, they gravitate to their similarities and understanding in their own culture. If people were more open to learn about new cultures, maybe they could immerse and blend, and there would be less divide. I don’t know, just my opinion.
I also thought it was interesting how people who meet others online are prone to depression. I know that many people have successfully found their “true love” online, but I have to wonder what the actual success rates of dating sites are. Also, I have to wonder if the depression rates are linked to increased online time and decreased in-person socialization.
Good question Clarissa, I think the depression might be also from not finding Mr. or Mrs. right. Some people they join online groups just to find a mate, when they cannot because it is really so hard to trust anyone online, they feel depressed. Or they could be joining a certain group to get the attention that they couldn’t find in their real life, but when also can not get it they would feel depressed. I know a lot of people on Facebook who they get seriousely angry if they posted something and no one comment or like it for them. This is sound funny but it does exist for real.
That is so true Martha, this phenomena is very dangerous and I ,too, think that people should learn about other cultures so this division would not be as harmful.
Like you, I also noticed the negative aspects that Norris pointed out. Even online, ethnic and gender differences can be indicated and possibly exploited. This can easily create conflicts between or among bloggers. This is why people need to be extremely careful about what they post online. Otherwise, these offensive blogs can have the potential to tear an online community apart or otherwise create or cause irreparable damage to friendships or stronger relationships.