Facebook or Renren? A comparative study of social networking site use and social capital among Chinese international students in the United States |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium;2. Changchun University of Science and Technology, China;1. Department of Sociology, University of Gujrat, Pakistan;2. Department of Sociology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan;3. Department of Information Management, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan;1. TAGlab, University of Toronto, Canada;2. University of Lisbon, Institute of Social and Political Sciences, CAPP – Centre for Public Administration and Policies, Rua Almerindo Lessa, 1300-663 Lisboa, Portugal |
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| Abstract: | Social networking sites (SNSs) are important tools for college students to maintain and develop social capital. Yet, few studies on the social implications of using SNSs have focused on international students and their use of different social media platforms for social capital. This study aims to fill this gap by examining the implications of using host country and home country SNSs for social capital among Chinese international students in the United States. A survey of Chinese international students at a large public university (N = 210) reveals that both Facebook and Renren use are positively associated with bridging social capital but not with bonding social capital. Facebook use has a stronger relationship with bridging social capital than does Renren use. Yet, only Renren use has a significant and positive relationship with maintaining home country social capital. These results have practical implications for international students to develop different types of social capital through different social media platforms. |
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| Keywords: | Facebook Renren Social networking sites Social capital Chinese international students |
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