TYPES OF SOCIAL NETWORKS

A social network site is a site that allows users to connect and share with people who have similar interests and backgrounds.

Keeping in touch with friends and relatives is one of the greatest benefits of social networking. Facebook is one of the most popular social media utilities which enables users to build connections and share information with people and organizations they choose to interact with online. On Twitter people share their thoughts and keep up with others via a realtime information network. MySpace, which initially began as a general social media site has evolved to focus on social entertainment, providing a venue for social connections related to movies, music, games and more.

Social networking also makes it easy to share video and photography content online. For instance, YouTube is a social media platform that allows users to share and view video content. Flickr is a site which provides a wide range of digital photographs online.

Professional social networks are designed to provide opportunities for career-related growth. Some provide a general forum for professionals to connect, while others are focused on specific occupations or interests. For example, LinkedIn has more than 135 million members, making it the largest online professional network. Participants have an opportunity to build relationships by making connections and joining relevant groups.

Informational communities are for people who are seeking answers to everyday problems. For example, Super Green Me is an online community where individuals interested in adopting green living practices can interact. Do-ItYourself Community is a social media resource which gathers do-it-yourself enthusiasts to interact with each other. Educational networks are where many students go in order to collaborate with other students on academic projects, to conduct research for school, or to interact with professors and teachers via blogs and classroom forums.

Educational social networks are becoming extremely popular within educational systems today. For example, The Student Room is a UK-based student community featuring a moderated message board and useful resources related to school. The Math Forum is a large educational network which is designed to connect students with an interest in maths.

Adapted from socialnetworking.lovetoknow.com