The Social Capital Behind SNS in China — Based on the Example of WeChat

With the increasing number of users on Chinese social network sites and the growing popularity of WeChat, it is essential to study the behaviors and attitudes of SNS (Social Networking Services) users in China to explore the underlying reasons behind them, particularly social capital. While there have been numerous studies on social capital, limited research has focused on its fluctuations in the field of the Internet. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the differences in online and offline social capital by examining people’s behaviors and attitudes towards social network sites, using WeChat as an example to explore the inner motivations of SNS users and explain the significance of social capital.