INTERNET FORUMS IN LITHUANIA: A NEW STIMULUS FOR SOCIAL CAPITAL?
INTERNET FORUMS IN LITHUANIA: A NEW STIMULUS FOR SOCIAL CAPITAL?

Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes the process of social capital formation in internet forums. It investigates whether this social phenomenon can originate in online environments and to uncover the steps of its development. Three Lithuanian internet forums are chosen for the analysis according to their discussion topics: professional, family and leisure. The methodology used is participant observation, surveys, and interviews with members of these message boards. Data analysis indicates that interactions in internet forums can contribute to formation of social capital and bridging social capital is the predominant type among Lithuanian message boards. Moreover, there exists a “middle ground” of interaction between online and offline environments and leisure forums contribute to the formation of social capital less than other discussion groups.

• Details
• Contents