ABSTRACT
Social networking sites generally invite new users to register personal details in default fields. Social network sites may allow users to organise their list of social contacts and to select a sub-set that is permitted to see selected content, while that same content remains hidden from the remainder of their online social contacts. Amichai-Hamburger and his colleagues investigated relationships between personality characteristics and the experience of online “chat”. The findings make sense and can be explained by background theory about personality and social interactivity preferences. Rhonda Swickert and her co-workers, who have already been mentioned in relation to their research on personality and general Internet use, also examined links between personality and use of chat rooms, and discussion boards and instant messaging. The Internet is an important platform for social engagement between people. It provides access to web sites that specialise in social interactivity.
