Notification pending: Online social support from close and nonclose relational ties via Facebook

Abstract

Previous research in computer-mediated communication’s effect on social networks has generated questions about the role of weak ties in what was assumed to be a unique affordance of strong ties—obtaining effective social support. Eighty-eight college students completed a questionnaire based on their most recent Facebook status updates and the comments and likes those updates generated. Items queried participants’ perception of each response as well as the participants’ relationships characteristics with the responder. Strong ties were perceived to have significantly closer relationships and provided significant social support. However, weak tie relationships were more numerous than strong ties and were perceived by participants to provide social support that was equally significant. While the use of Facebook did not erode the importance of strong ties, this study found that traditional understandings of weak ties do not account for the strong social support afforded by weak tie relationships when mediated through social network sites.