The strength of weak ties

The strength of weak ties Granovetter, Mark S. 1973. The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology 78:1360–1380.

Cited in Connected Play:

For the importance of strong and weak ties, see the work by Granovetter (1973) that examined community relationships. This concept of strong and weak ties has also now been applied to online relationships. A related study by Steinfield, Ellison, and Lampe (2008) showed that using Facebook more intensely especially helped teens who had lower self-esteem. Teens were able to follow acquaintances at school whom they knew but with whom they were not especially close.

Granovetter’s9 classic work in sociology points to dual human needs to develop “strong ties” with a few close friends and family as well as “weak ties” with many other individuals. There is strong evidence that participation in online social worlds helps teens and young adults strengthen existing relationships by providing another environment in which to continue relationships from home, school, neighborhood, or elsewhere. (59)