social capital (Ellison, Steinfieldm, Lampe, 2007). Resnick (2001) suggests that with the help of new technologies (e.g. distribution lists, photo directories, search) new forms of social capital occurs in online social network sites. Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe (2007) suggest that intensity of Facebook use is positively associated with individuals’ perceived bridging social capital: for undergraduate students, there is a “strong association between use of Facebook and the three types of social capital, with the strongest relationship being to bridging social capital. According to Williams (2006), because of the low costs of communication, there might be more of the bridging function online than offline. "The social capital created by these networks generates broader identities and generalized reciprocity". Williams (2006) suggested Internet Social Capital Scales (ICST) to measure social capital bridging and bonding. Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe (2007) assessed social capital bonding by using ICST, and found, that “Facebook is indeed implicated in students’ efforts to develop and maintain bridging social capital at college, although we cannot assess causal direction.” Intensity of Facebook use was positively associated with individuals’ perceived bonding social capital (Ellison, Steinfield and Lampe, 2007). But they also found, that bonding social capital was also predicted by high self-esteem, satisfaction with university life, as with use of Facebook. Therefore, high self-esteem, and satisfaction with university life are likely causes of perceived bonding social capital, and heavier Facebook use. Friends use the Internet to maintain ties. “Internet is particularly useful for keeping contact among friends who are socially and geographically dispersed. ... Distance still matters: communication is lower with distant than nearby friends” (Hampton, Wellman, 1999). See also Online community Tribe (internet) Online participation Social web Notes References Andrade, A. E., 2009. The Value of Extended Networks: Social Capital in an ICT Intervention in Rural Peru. Information Technology for Development, Vol. 15 (2), pp. 108–132. Bargh, J. A., McKenna, J. Y. A., 2004. The Internet and Social Life. Annual Review of Psychology, Vol. 55, pp. 573–590. Benkler, Y., 2006. The Wealth of Networks. Yale University Press. London. Castells, M., 2010. The Information Age: Economy, Society and Culture. Volume I: The Rise of the Network Society. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Ellison, N.B., Steinfieldm, C., Lampe, C., 2007. The Benefits of Facebook ‘‘Friends:’’ Social Capital and College Students’ Use of Online Social Network Sites. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Vol. 12, pp. 1143–1168. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2011. Encyclopædia Britannica Online, Accessed 5