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Eryn Grant, a PhD student at Queensland University carried out a study to take an in-depth observation of social order in new online environments. Part of the study involved immersing herself in the virtual world of Second Life, which allows people to interact socially and economically using a 3D interface.

"I wanted to see how you go about being a functional member of Second Life, what the rules and norms were, and how they were put into place, and I did that by analysing conversations," she said.

She found that

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Second Life users communicate through avatars and text chat to meet up at dance clubs, form groups and hold philosophical discussions. Her research suggests that connecting with strangers in such a way makes it easier to find common ground with new people in new environments.

"There are not many places we go in the world where we are guaranteed social contact, in real life it is harder and less likely that you will go up to a stranger and start a conversation," Grant explained.

"One major thing which I found was that you cannot have this intense kind of web-based interface without real-life tools; if you can't communicate to someone in real life, you won't be able to do it online," she added.

She claims that social networking sites allow people to have quick and easy connections, and their popularity proves that people need and love to be social.

"I think it is like an extension of who we are as social beings, you go to work, see your family and log on to either Second Life, Facebook, Myspace and it is just about reaching out even more - who doesn't want to feel connected after all?"