What is a social network?

Social networks attempt to replicate real world human social activity through the medium of the internet.

In the world people:

• Display a public persona
• Congregate around shared interests
• Discuss issues
• Make statements and share experiences
• Make recommendations
• Buy and sell things
• Make friends and introduce new ones

Social networks replicate these activities and because it is done through an abstract medium – actually make the process of making friends easier.

It can be argued that a friend on a social network is not the same as a friend in real life – and this is correct. The main reason for this is locality.