What are Social Networking Web Sites?

Social networking web sites encourage people to create profiles about themselves and then communicate with others and form online networks of friends. 

People can participate in a range of activities once members.  These can include chatting with each other, sharing photos & videos and posting comments in online forums, blogs or discussion groups.  Profiles may contain personal information such as real life photos and descriptive comments about the member.

Social networking web sites are like online diaries and are usually free to join.  Some websites have millions of members.  A list of popular websites and their current membership numbers can be found at:

Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) - List of social networking websites

Social networking web sites are generally popular with teenagers older than 14 years of age.