Abstract:

The present research makes a comparison between social interactions among children and adolescents from different socio-economic statuses in and out of social networks.
The research asks whether there is conformity or compensation in relation to social participation, the degree of confidence involved in participation and initiation of social interactions, the impact on the child's well-being in and out of social networks. Another question raised by the present research is whether differences in needs, content, frequency of use and interactions in and out of social networks will be found among children belonging to different socio-economic classes.

One of the main questions raised by social sciences in connection with social networks refers to the degree of proximity that a child attributes to his peers. A distinction is made between a tight social network: a network consisting of tight relations maintained by its members and characterized by various interactions and tight social supervision, and a loose social network: less social interactions characterized by looser supervision. Drawing on the Uses & Gratifications Theory the present research asks whether the distinction between more distant and closer friends applies to digital social networks.

Research population: children and adolescents from different socio-economic classes.
Research method: Explanatory sequential design (questionnaires handed to children) and qualitative-descriptive research (observations, interviews with children and case study analyses) according to triangulation method of validation of findings. The method enables examination of the subject matter from different angles using different research tools.
The research addresses questions concerning the number of hours of internet usage per day, the place where children use the internet (home, centers aimed at bridging the digital divide, school and so on).
The research focuses on the following topics: the need/needs fulfilled by the social network (wall, messages, chat, "like" messages, events, groups, photos); the subject matter of conversations held in the social network; the level of confidence required for the purpose of initiating a conversation in and out of the social network; the places where, according to children, more interactions take place (in and out of the social network); feedback, communication, reciprocal interaction, planning events and activities, mutual enjoyment, mutual assistance.
The research addressed some of the following questions: whether there is correlation between close friendships in general and close friendships in digital social networks; whether the social network helped children in solving daily problems or whether it generated more problems in their daily lives; whether they felt that following the use of the digital social network there is a positive change in their attitude towards themselves and they possess a higher sense of value; whether they felt that they were more involved in their social lives or that, following the use of the social network, their attitude towards themselves, their self esteem, their self competence and their ability to establish relationships with their peers worsened.

Keywords:

Children, social networks, Facebook, well-being, socio-economic status.