Online Network Size Research Articles

Temporal network modeling with online and hidden vertices based on the birth and death process

Complex networks have played an important role in describing real complex systems since the end of the last century. Recently, research on real-world data sets reports intermittent interaction among social individuals. In this paper, we pay attention to this typical phenomenon of intermittent interaction by considering the state transition of network vertices between online and hidden based on the birth and death process. By continuous-time Markov theory, we show that both the number of each vertex’s online neighbors and the online network size are stable and follow the homogeneous probability distribution in a similar form, inducing similar statistics as well. In addition, all propositions are verified via simulations. Moreover, we also present the degree distributions based on small-world and scale-free networks and find some regular patterns by simulations. The application in fitting real networks is discussed.

It's not what you do, it's the way that you do it: An experimental task delineates among passive, reactive and interactive styles of behaviour on social networking sites.

Studies have produced vastly disparate findings when exploring relationships between social networking site (SNS) usage and psychosocial well-being. These inconsistencies might reflect a lack of consideration for how people use SNS; specifically, while meaningful interactions are suggested to foster positive feelings, the passive consumption of others' feeds is proposed to have negative effects on users' well-being. To facilitate the empirical evaluation of these claims, the present study developed a computerised task to measure styles of usage on a mock SNS platform. Administering this Social Network Site Behaviour Task (SNSBT) online to 526 individuals, we identified three dissociable usage styles that extend the active-passive dichotomy employed frequently in the literature: passive use (consuming content posted by others), reactive use (reacting to others' content), and interactive use (interacting with others through content sharing). Furthermore, our data reveal that these usage styles differ on several measures of psychosocial variables employed frequently in the disparate literature: more interactive users reported greater feelings of social connectedness and social capital than passive or reactive users. Importantly, however, our results also reveal the multi-dimensional nature of usage styles, with online network size and time spent on SNS platforms serving as potentially confounding influences on some psychosocial measures. These findings not only advance our understanding of SNS behaviour by providing empirical support for theoretic propositions, but also demonstrate the utility of the SNSBT for experimental investigations into the psychosocial outcomes of different SNS usage styles.

The Role of Political Activity in the Formation of Online Identity Bubbles

Increasing social media use has transformed political participation by creating social cliques and echo chambers, which involve interaction between like‐minded people. This article examines the relationship between online political activity and personal involvement in online identity bubbles. This study is the first to examine this phenomenon using nationally representative data; its data were derived from surveys targeted at 18–74‐year‐old Finns (N = 3,724). Measures included online political activity, the Identity Bubble Reinforcement Scale, and behavioral and demographic factors. The results show that online political activity was positively associated with online identity bubbles. This effect was strong even after controlling for behavioral and demographic factors. In addition to online political activity, general online activity, online network size, and basic sociodemographic background variables explained variation of involvement in online identity bubbles. However, neither political preference nor political interest had a systematic effect on involvement in these bubbles. The findings confirm the theoretical assumption that online bubbles can be captured using subjective survey measures. Political activity appears to be a key factor associated with the strength of the online bubble experience. This finding has significance in the contemporary information society, in which various mundane discussions and cultural disputes become politically tinged.

Shyness and social media use: A meta-analytic summary of moderating and mediating effects

Since the advent of social networking sites (SNSs) such as Facebook and Twitter (often called social media), the link between shyness and using these platforms has received substantial scholarly attention. We assumed that the diverging findings could be explained by the patterns of use examined in the primary studies. A three-level, random effects meta-analysis was conducted (50 effect sizes, total N = 6989). Shyness and SNS use across all available indicators were unrelated. As predicted, the association was moderated by the specific SNS use pattern. Shyness was negatively associated with active use (e.g., posting photos), ρ = −0.11, 95% CI [−0.20, −0.03], and with the number of SNS contacts (i.e., online network size), ρ = −0.26, 95% CI [−0.34, −0.17]. Negligible or no associations were found for general use (e.g., daily logins), ρ = 0.07, 95% CI [0.02, 0.13], or passive use (reading others’ posts), ρ = 0.07, 95% CI [−0.01, 0.14]. A meta-analytic mediation model suggests that the number of SNS contacts can partially explain the previously identified negative association between shyness and well-being.

A social cognitive approach to traditional media content and social media use: Selfie-related behavior as competitive strategy

Mass media systems play increasingly prevalent roles in our lives. However, the relationship between traditional mass media exposure and behavior on social media is unclear, particularly in the context of selfie-related behavior, which includes capturing, editing, and sharing images of oneself. In the tradition of social cognitive theory, we argue that reality television (RTV) models a value system focused on the self and competition with others, and hypothesize a model where self-worth based on competition mediates the relationship between RTV viewing and selfie-related behavior. Path analysis results from survey data ( N = 334) support the mediation model. Selfie-related behavior was explicated and measured via novel instruments. Audience variables including online network size and diversity also played roles in selfie editing and sharing, as did specific social media platforms. Results are discussed in the context of evolving media systems.

Examining Predictors of Self-Care Behaviors in Korean Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B

The current study tested a theory-based research model that hypothesizes the relationship between online communication activity, online network size, computer-mediated social support (CMSS), and self-care behaviors among 219 Korean patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Results indicated empirical support for the model, with significant relationships among online communication activity, online network size, CMSS, and self-care behaviors. CHB patients who more actively communicate with a larger number of others within an online community perceived greater CMSS from the community. Perceived CMSS was a significant predictor of patients’ self-care behaviors. The implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

The tweet goes on: Interconnection of Twitter opinion leadership, network size, and civic engagement

Opinion leaders tend to possess particular characteristics, such as high social status, wide social networks, and they are highly engaged in civic affairs. This study revisits the concept of original opinion leadership and examines the characteristics of Twitter opinion leaders and leadership by conducting an online survey of 648 college students in the United States. The results reveal that Twitter opinion leadership is rarely predicted by socio-demographics. Twitter opinion leadership is more strongly associated with online network size than offline network size. The study also finds that Twitter opinion leadership is significantly and positively associated with online civic participation. Lastly, the current study finds that Twitter opinion leaders can be categorized as two types – frequent tweet posters and frequent retweeters.

Beyond Traditional Interaction: Exploring the functional form of the exposure-offending association across online network size

PurposeAn emerging body of literature suggests online social networks (SNS) have the capacity to influence individual criminal behavior. However, there are fundamental differences between SNS and traditional peer groups. It is therefore likely that peer influence operates differently in SNS. The present study examines the role of network size and functional form of the relationship between individual and peer deviance in online networks. MethodsData for these analyses come from a survey of 583 undergraduates at a mid-southern university. Empirical analyses rely on a series of multivariate negative binomial regression models. ResultsFindings indicate there is a nonlinear relationship between exposure to criminal behavior online and self-reported offending. Network size moderates this relationship. Respondents embedded in the smallest networks exhibit a linear association between peer and individual behavior, while those in the largest networks display a saturation point, after which exposure to additional deviance becomes redundant. ConclusionsThe current study expands upon the emerging body of criminological research exploring the implications of online environments as venues for social learning. We showcase how processes of peer influence operate in online social networks and potentially affect criminal behavior.

The Best of Both Worlds? Online Ties and the Alternating Use of Social Network Sites in the Context of Migration

While an ever-growing body of research is concerned with user behavior on individual social network sites (SNSs)—mostly Facebook—studies addressing an alternating use of two or more SNS are rare. Here, we investigate the relationship between alternating SNS use and social capital in the context of migration. Alternating SNS use avoids some of the problems associated with large networks located on one site; in particular the management of different social or cultural spheres. Not only does this strategy hold potential for increased social capital, it also provides a particular incentive for migrants faced with the challenge of staying in touch with back home and managing a new social environment. Two survey studies are presented that focus on the relationship between alternating SNS use and online ties in a migrant context involving Indian nationals. Study 1 looked at migration within India, whereas Study 2 compared international with domestic SNS users. In both studies, alternating SNS use added to the prediction of online network size and accounted for differences in network size found for migrant and non-migrant users. Differences were due to the number of peripheral ties, rather than core ties. Findings suggest that alternating SNS use may constitute a compensatory strategy that helps to overcome lower levels of socializing represented through a single SNS.

Social Networks that Matter: Exploring the Role of Political Discussion for Online Political Participation

We examine the relationship between citizen-to-citizen discussions and online political participation considering various attributes of individuals’ social networks: Modality, discussants’ ties, diversity of opinions, and quality of argumentation. Using a national survey of U.S. residents we find that communication within networks is a significant predictor of web-based forms of political engagement, after controlling for offline participation, political orientations, news use, and socio-demographics. Consistent with the ‘‘strength of weak ties’’ argument, larger online networks and weak-tie discussion frequency are associated with online participation. While like-minded discussions are positively related to online participation, discussions with people who are not of like mind correlate negatively with it. Online network size and reasoning discussions were positively related to online participation, although these associations were rather weak compared to the role of other network characteristics.

Online Network Size, Efficacy, and Opinion Expression: Assessing the Impacts of Internet Use in China

The severe internet censorship implemented in China naturally raises substantial doubt about the potential democratic functions of the internet. This study presents some initial empirical evidence for internet use's impact on online opinion expression in Mainland China by analyzing three survey datasets collected by the World Internet Project in 2003, 2005, and 2007. Results reveal a positive relationship between internet use and online expression. The positive association is partially mediated by online network size, but not necessarily by internet efficacy. Although government censorship has in a measure successfully stifled people's; willingness to speak out, it is argued that the networking function of the internet could still bring incremental changes to the Chinese society through constructing loosely structured networks.