Community & Social Networking

Most of us know that Internet communities and social networking sites are popular, but how do blogs, podcasts, wikis and companies like Digg and MySpace work? Learn more in the Social Networking section.

Topics to Explore

How Hi5 Works

Top 10 Ways to Get More Followers on Twitter

How Stickam Works

What does it mean when no one adds you back on a social network?

Learn More

Why Do Social Media Platforms Practice Shadowbanning?

Its very existence has been debated for years, so what is shadowbanning, and how can you avoid it?

By Nathan Chandler Oct 3, 2019 Social Networking / Social Networking Information

Facebook and Cambridge Analytica: What a Tangled Web They Weave

Whether you love or hate Facebook, the Cambridge Analytica scandal exposed major flaws in the online platform. So where do we go from here?

By Diana Brown May 11, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

Online Dating Is Increasing Interracial Marriage

Online dating apps are aiding social integration because people are interacting with others to whom they previously had no access.

By Alia Hoyt Apr 5, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

How to Win the Privacy War With Facebook

Having a tough time breaking up with Facebook? Then at least be sure your private information is secure and protected.

By John Donovan Mar 26, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

Twitter Cracks Down on Bot Abuse

Twitter bots seem to be with us to stay, but how do they work? And are they all bad?

By Patrick J. Kiger Mar 1, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

Nextdoor and More: The Good, Bad and Ugly of Neighborhood Social Networks

The popularity of neighborhood social networks keeps exploding. But building community comes with some unintended consequences.

By Dave Roos Feb 27, 2018 Social Networking / Social Networks

How Emojis Work

Those little pics that people use to represent their feelings or avoid misunderstandings have been around since the 1990s but have been picking up steam in the 21st century. Why's that?

By Nathan Chandler Social Networking / Social Networks

Should You Have to Prove You've Read an Article Before Commenting?

More than half of people who post comments on news articles haven't read the articles. Is the point of online article to inform, or to provide a forum for discussion?

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 22, 2017 Social Networking / Social Networks

Why Most of Us May Never Get Verified on Twitter

Trying to get verified on Twitter? It's way more random than you think.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 7, 2017 Social Networking / Social Networks

Our Online Personalities Change Across Different Social Media Platforms

Do we portray a consistent self across different social media platforms? A new study examines the faces we share.

By Chris Opfer May 24, 2017 Social Networking / Social Networks

Can the President Legally Delete a Tweet?

President Trump is an avid tweeter, and not always the best speller (remember unpresidented?). Can he delete his tweets or are they now public property?

By John Perritano Feb 9, 2017 Social Networking / Social Networks

Got a Bad Case of FOMO? Get Off Social Media

Bummed out by the Internet and how much more fun everyone else seems to be having? Seeking out better times offline may ease your FOMO.

By Lauren Vogelbaum Oct 19, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Will This Election Season Become Known as 'The Great Unfriending'?

The caustic tone of the 2016 presidential race is powerfully affecting ordinary social media users. Will that destroy a lot of social media relationships?

By Patrick J. Kiger Oct 13, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

NPR Says No Comments

News organizations have been dropping their commenting sections for years, and NPR has recently joined them. But not everyone thinks ditching comments is the way to go.

By Kate Kershner Oct 4, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Bragging Could Be Dragging Down Your Online Dating Profile

Looking for love online? Then stop tooting your own horn so much. Oh, and one other thing.

By Chris Opfer Sep 6, 2016 Internet / Social Networking

When Live-streaming Bumps Up Against Freedom of Speech and Privacy

There's a lot of live-streaming going on lately. As a result, courts may soon be busy defining when it's appropriate to record or broadcast video.

By Jonathan Strickland Aug 8, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Facebook Safety Check Feature Connects People During Disasters

The social media giant activated its Safety Check feature for the first time in the U.S. on Sunday after the Orlando attack. Here's the scoop on how it works.

By John Donovan Jun 14, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networking Information

Retweeting Isn't Doing You Any Comprehension Favors

In an odd twist, retweeting could be negatively affecting your memory of the content, and causing comprehension declines even after your Twitter session is over.

By Kate Kershner May 3, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Can You Scrub Bad Press From the Internet?

After the pepper-spray incident, UC Davis paid a company to repair its online image. But can anyone make negative search results disappear?

By Dave Roos Apr 21, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Twitch Serves Up Julia Child and Bob Ross — to Gamers

The hugely popular streaming platform wants you to know that it isn't just for gamers.

By Christian Sager Apr 13, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Why Couples Share a Facebook Profile — And Why It Bugs The Rest of Us

Some couples have a shared Facebook account, even though Facebook frowns on the practice. What does it say about their relationship?

By Alia Hoyt Mar 23, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Dear Facebook, We Need These Emojis

Because sometimes sad, angry, haha, love and wow just don't properly describe your emotional state.

By Robert Lamb Feb 26, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks

Facebook Takes Aim at Unlicensed Firearm Sales

You can do all sorts of things on Facebook, right? Find a high-school buddy. Post pictures of your cat. Buy a gun. Except that last one may have just gotten tougher.

By Julie Douglas Feb 3, 2016 Social Networking / Social Networks