[Social network sites] encourage disparate individuals to connect, communicate, and take action. …
What truly distinguishes SNSs from earlier technologies is the articulated social network, which is at the heart of these systems. Social network sites allow us to digitally represent our connections with others … to model our network of social relationships by requesting and accepting ‘friends’ or ‘contacts’
Ellison, N., Lampe, C., & Steinfield, C. (2009). Social Network Sites and Society: Current Trends and Future Possibilities. Interactions Magazine (16)
