Boyd and Ellison (2007) define Social Networking Sites as “web-based services that allow individuals to (1)

construct a public or a semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with
whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others
within the system”.

Wikipedia defines a Social Networking Site as an online platform that focuses on building and reflecting social
networks or social relations among people who share interests and activities. Social Networking Sites, E-mail,
instant messaging, view-and photo-sharing sites and comment posting are all tolls that help people to
communicate and socialize with each other (Carla; 2009).

The online social networking revolution, seen in such sites as MySpace and Facebook, has focused attention
on sharing information about one's personal life, but social networking also offers the potential to facilitate
the exchange of thoughts and ideas and thus informal learning. Social networking sites allow people to easily
forge connections with others where none previously existed, such as ties crossing physical, geographic,
institutional, and organisational boundaries. Social networking sites have changed the notion of the World
Wide Web from the page metaphor to a model predicated on micro content; content blocks that can be
saved, summarized, addressed, copied, quoted, and built into new projects (Alexander; 2006). Chapter – 3
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However, addiction to Social Networking Sites is increasing day by day, especially among the younger
generation. It is a trend that has diverged the way relationships are now perceived. Our society is now moving
from face-to-face relationships to on-line relationships. A decade ago, not many in India, ever thought that
SNS would capture our psyche in such a way as it is occurring now.

Purposes of Social Networking Sites

Social networking provides advancements especially in communication and self expression and the use of
social networking is expanding. Social Networking Sites are used by diverse categories of users for a variety of
purposes. The main goal or motive of the Social Networking Sites is to provide an interactive environment to
communicate with peers and get useful information. Through the review of literature, the following aspects of
Social Networking Sites have been identified:

To Find Useful Information: Social Networking Sites are a new platform for information sharing and
communication, where users can read, download and upload valuable as well as up-to-date information and
share with others. For instance, read book reviews, join publishers/ journals/organizations/Institutional pages
and so on.

To Get Opinions on Different Subjects: Social Networking Sites users post their comments on a subject
matter for open

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discussion and get diverse views of peers. The users community give their feedback in the form of comments
regarding the topics posted.
 For Entertainment: Many people admit that these sites are merely a form of entertainment. They use these
sites as a creation network of users, share and post funny videos or photos, flirt with girls, comment on the
profile of others, and establish fake relations through chatting. Some people use this media for eradicating
loneliness and depression.

For Socializing: The term "socializing" is widely used in the field of Sociology which means to create a
society. In the context of Social Networking Sites, socializing means to meet people on a single platform, share
common interests and communicate with each other.

Discussion Forum: People on these sites join different groups or communities like academic, business,
political and social welfare. Users of Social Networking Sites discuss common matters on related problems.
They post common topics for discussion and take views and opinions of others.

To Share Experience and Expertise: The users' community share their experiences, achievements, solve
problems, give or take advice on it. They also share personal information with those people whom they do not
even know.

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For Academic Purpose: Academic bodies such as school/college/university and other institutions are making
use of these type of media in order to provide information on what is happening in their respective institutes
in the form of announcement and news. They also help in providing reference utility at admission time. The
libraries also utilize this technology to provide need- based services to the users.