“MySpace: a place for friends?”: A Study of Friendship on MySpace

Abstract

This thesis seeks to examine the concept of friendship on MySpace. It will address the need for a comprehensive study of the daily operation of friendship on the social software site. As the site itself is relatively new, previous studies of social software have not included a focus on MySpace. This study will analyse the concept of friendship by using a theoretical framework of friendship based on the work of Aristotle, Kant and Derrida. It will focus on three identified types of MySpace: MySpace for artists, for businesses and for individuals. The thesis will study these friendship types then analyse them according to the motivations behind these friendships and the context in which they exist.