“…Furthermore, some researchers have been able to carry out the first longitudinal analyses in the field (see for example Steinfield et al 2008). According to this strand of the literature, SNSs support the strengthening of bonding and bridging social capital (Valkenburg et al 2006, Steinfield et al 2008, Gilbert et al 2009, Burke et al 2009), allow the crystallization of weak or latent ties that might otherwise remain ephemeral (Haythornthwaite 2005, support teenagers' self-esteem -encouraging them to relate to their peers , Steinfield et al 2008, stimulate social learning (Burke et al 2010), enhance social trust, civic participation and political engagement (Valenzuela et al 2009), facilitate the creation of electronic networks of practice (Vasko and Faray 2005, Landqvist and Teigland 2010, Matzat 2010, and help the promotion of collective actions to the pursuit of shared goals (Landqvist and Teigland 2010). Drawing on survey data from a random sample of 800 Michigan State University undergraduate students, Ellison et al (2007) find that certain kinds of Facebook use can help students accumulate and maintain bridging social capital.…”