A Literature Review of Research on Facebook Use

This paper represents a review of more than one hundred studies on the social networking website Facebook. An initial selection has been made and has led to the identification of eight main research themes: effects on the users, friendship, construction of impressions, privacy, use, Facebook and politics, self-expression and construal, social capital, and the merging of social spheres. This paper focuses on Facebook use, which is currently the most researched theme. How do individuals use Facebook and why? Six different categories are identified: initiating and maintaining relationships, learning about others, recognition, personality and willingness to communicate, social influence, and experience. The major studies for each category are presented, with an emphasis on the most influential ones in the field. The focus of this literary review is on the commonalities and differences that arise from the results. Hypotheses are presented when possible, and a few theoretical explanations are provided. As a result, one could notice that Facebook is mainly used to keep in touch with other people, but not in a conventional way as users tend to 'spy' on other users' profiles. This phenomenon leads to a growing exhibitionism, which is in turn related to individuals' personality traits. Use of Facebook is also influenced by peers and experience with the website. A few limitations are discussed, and gender is found to be a possible factor influencing Facebook use. Suggestions for further study are provided.