In the discussion of online social networking’s effects on teen relationships many
questions arise. What kind of relationships are adolescents forming online? Does Internet
communication strengthen bonds or weaken relationships because there is less face‐to‐
face interaction? Do adolescent relationships and interactions on social networking sites parallel traditional youth relationships and interactions (Greenfield and Subrahmanyam,
2008). Research in the area of online social networking and adolescent relationships
attempts to answer these questions.