| WHAT'S UP? NOT SO MUCH. NETWORKING AND COMMUNICATION VIA SOCIAL NETWORK SITES |
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Tadej Praprotnik Abstract The article presents the phenomena of social network sites as a modern and important framework for communication and establishing relationships. The article therefore presents some global trends characteristic for modern society. One of the major driving forces within social network sites is so-called networked individualism. Our society is network society, so networking is one of the basic organizational principles. The article problematizes communication practices within social network sites and presents some explanations. The article presents comparison between early text based (anonymous) on-line communication (chat-rooms and discussion forums), which were more topic-oriented and current networking and communication via social network sites, which are more personal–oriented (Me-Centered Society). The major shift is from communication toward networking. Networking presupposes lots of networked and connected people. This has influence toward communication practices; because it is difficult to maintain deep and content rich communication with lots of individuals, the phatic function of communication is prevailing. Within social network sites different types of information are exchanged. The motivation to be nice and conflict–avoidant influence upon what kind of information and what kind of communication we are looking for. The prevalence of “light” information is just one characteristic. As a consequence the article also stresses the potential danger in case individuals build their knowledge mostly or solely upon information recommended by their Facebook friends. Key words: social network sites, communication, networked individualism, Facebook, phatic communion Tadej Praprotnik, PhD is an Assistant Professor at the University of Primorska (The Faculty of Humanities). Contact email address: pratadej (at) gmail.com Cite this article:
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