Motivation to Use Social Networking Site Applications Amongst Young Chinese Consumers - Literature review Example

To make a clear definition of social networking sites, it will help to understand what the mobile social networking application is and how it operates. Social networking sites are a service platform that allows individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system. (Ellison, 2007) The unique use of social networking is not only that it helps users extend their relationship, but rather that it allows users to articulate and make visible their social networks.

(Haythornthwaite, 2005) Social network App is a web-based service platform that allows users to communicate with others, share recent activities and interests. (Chang, 2013) The current benefit of mobile social networking sites is that they are able to provide nearly instant updates to the viewer and allows them to become more involved with their social network and more connected to it; at least as compared to more traditional means of engagement with the social network (Jabeur et. al, 2013) The instant and real-time use of mobile social networking applications by mobile devices are significant when compared to the different levels of use for social networking sites via computer.

(AI Mutawa et. al, 2012) 2. Types of social networking applicationMost of the social networking applications are similar, if not identical to the same social networking that is available via PC; albeit on a mobile platform. In the early years of mobile social networking, the mobile options were significantly limited; at least as compared to the ones that might be available at a PC. However, with changes and advancement in technology, the overall representation of features has come to a point of singularity between both these platforms.