---
"title": "Social Networking Websites"
"description": "Online social networking is both about connecting to others through publicily displayed networks and about creating self-expressive content."
"date": "2006-06-22"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "Amanda Lenhart"
    "job_title": "Former Director of Teens and Technology Research at the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project"
    "link": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/staff/amanda-lenhart/"
"url": "https://alpha.pewresearch.org/pewresearch-org/internet/2006/06/22/social-networking-websites/"
"categories":
  - "Social Media"
"tags":
  - "Social Networking"
---

# Social Networking Websites

Online social networking is both about connecting to others through publicily displayed networks and about creating self-expressive content. Teenagers are in a particular moment in their lives where both of these things are extremely important — creating new friend groups and shifting primary personal relationships from parents to friends, as well as exploring and developing a personal identity. Much of the popularity of social networks with young people springs from how adeptly the websites meet these needs.