Despite the obvious physical advantages of the new form of social network, perhaps one of the most prolific causes for the formation of any social network is that of identity discovery and formation. American author John Cotterel suggests that ‘it is through others that we find ourselves’ (year, pp 41) and it is this dependence on others in finding our place in society that holds social networks together. The appeal of your very own individualised space on the network should also be mentioned in this identity discussion, as this provides a means for individuals to exhibit the ‘best’ of themselves. In Gorman’s study of social interactions in networks, he mentioned the importance of ‘Impression Management’, or in pure laymen’s terms, making a good first impression. Good first impressions, as suggested by Goffman, were dependant on the individual’s ability to ‘supervise what positive personal qualities are inferred’ (p.19, 1959), and it is this extent of ‘quality control’ over what aspects of identity that others are able to view that highlights the attractiveness of the internet social network. Indeed, of the multitudes of reasons behind the rapid growth of internet social networking site memberships, the facilitation of not only identity creation, but also methods in which to display this identity positively seem to appeal to the majority of internet social network users. A survey of MySpace users conducted by Pace University found that the most popular features of the MySpace profile were the ‘display picture’ option, ‘Top Friends’ (pictured above) and ‘Picture Slideshow’ function – all features which had the potential to control what aspects of identity that were deemed appropriate. It is these three features of MySpace in particular, in addition with other unique social networking website features that increase identity formation and creation beyond that of which is capable in the ‘real’ world. Boyd states ‘profiles provide an opportunity to craft the intended expression through language, imagery and media’ (p.1, 2006), a task which is a great deal easier through the capabilities of the internet social network.
It is through this comparison of the ‘real’ world social network and the social networking site functions that highlights the greater potential of the internet in creating identity and hence creating networks. The first most common function of the vast majority of social networking sites is that of the ‘display picture’ (or referred to as ‘profile picture’ by MySpace, Friendster and Facebook). All members of social networking sites are required to upload a picture which distinguishes them from other members. The extensive amount of consideration that goes towards the display picture is emphasised by website www.virtual-china.com, which states: ‘there is a need to post a glamour shot’.Various other writers have also noticed the need to look ‘attractive’ on their MySpace profile, but have all agreed that the style of shot is somewhat dependant on cultural background. Western culture profiles are typified by ‘glamour close up shots where you are looking at the camera’
whereas MySpace China is littered with profiles with ‘candid webshots’ (Li, 2007)
. These marked cultural differences strongly suggest the profile image as an outlet of identity.
Apart from the capacity for individuals to exhibit themselves on their personal profiles, it is the newest and most unique of functions that delineates the virtual community from the real world social network. Of all the methods in which users can provide an outlet in which to express their place in society, the presentation of other members with whom the user finds the greatest amount of emotional connection should place among the most effective. The ‘Top Friend’ feature, as most famously used by social networking giants MySpace and Xanga has stimulated a great amount of psychological analysis over the effects of internet based social networks. Initially introduced as a ‘Top 8’ by MySpace, this feature allows users to publicly display the user’s ‘favourite friends’. Boyd’s (pictured) study of the politics surrounding
the feature emphasises the extensive amount of identity that can be formed through specific ordering of friends on public profiles. The study suggested that being among the ‘Top Friends’ status was often reciprocated. This meant that users who had placed other individuals among their higher friend levels harnessed an expectation of being placed at a similar status (Boyd, 2006 5). This reciprocation in itself leads to greater solidarity within groups, which is the first stepping stone to constructing one’s own identity. The uniquely MySpace feature of musical artists, actors, movies and even prominent political identities (see: Barack Obama) 
all possessing profiles further add to the idea of the ‘Top Friends’ expressing the self. The positioning of musical artists in particular places the user under a certain demographic of society, and the attempts to be friends with ‘cool artists’ (Boyd, 2007 8) further emphasises users’ desire to display the ‘best aspects of themselves’ (Goffman, 1967 23)
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