Social Capital: Building Community With Digital Platforms

Social capital is a concept that has become increasingly popular in recent years. It is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as "the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively." These social networks provide value through the added resources, trust, and support created from these relationships, which can facilitate coordination and cooperation among individuals and groups. 

Social capital can provide access to information, collaboration, and opportunities that may not be available otherwise. It is often described as the "glue" that holds communities together, allowing people to work together towards shared goals and achieve collective outcomes. 

According to social capital research, there are several types of social capital:

Bonding social capital: This refers to the relationships and connections that exist within homogeneous groups, such as family, friends, and colleagues. This type of social capital is vital for providing emotional support, building social identity, and strengthening interpersonal relationships. However, bonding social capital can also lead to forming exclusive and insular groups that may resist outsiders and new ideas. Expanding a community's bonding social capital is vital for building a sense of belonging and identity.

Bridging social capital: This refers to the relationships and connections that individuals have with people who are different from them in some way, such as those from different cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds. Bridging social capital is critical for promoting diversity, inclusivity, and innovation, as it allows for exchanging ideas, resources, and perspectives across different groups. Bridging social capital can also help reduce social inequality, enabling forming alliances and partnerships that can work towards common goals.

Linking social capital: This refers to the relationships and connections that individuals have with people in positions of power or influence, such as politicians, business leaders, or community organizers. Linking social capital is important for accessing resources and opportunities that may otherwise be unavailable.

Social media and other digital outreach tools are powerful methods that can be used to increase social capital. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn allow individuals and organizations to connect with others and build relationships that can lead to advanced networking. 

By connecting people across different groups and facilitating the exchange of information and resources, these tools can help to create new forms of social capital that transcend geographic and social boundaries. They can be used to promote and support in-person outreach activities such as community events and volunteering - critical opportunities to build social capital by connecting people and getting them working together to achieve common goals.

Here are some ways in which social media can be used to increase social capital:

Building online communities: Social media platforms allow individuals to connect with others who share similar interests, values, or beliefs. By joining online groups or communities, individuals can build relationships with others who can provide support, advice, and information. These online communities can also offer a sense of belonging and identity, essential for bonding social capital.

Sharing information and resources: Social media platforms allow individuals to share information and resources with others. By sharing helpful information or resources, individuals can build trust and establish themselves as valuable members of their communities. This can lead to increased social capital, particularly in the form of linking social capital.

Participating in discussions and debates: Social media platforms allow individuals to participate in discussions and debates about critical social issues. Individuals can build relationships with others who share similar concerns or interests by engaging in these discussions. This can lead to increased bridging social capital and promote understanding and diversity within a community.

Crowdsourcing: Social media platforms can bring people's ideas and resources together to support a project or task.

Overall, social capital is an important concept that can promote cooperation, trust, and innovation within communities and societies. Social media and other digital outreach tools can increase social capital by connecting people across different groups and facilitating the exchange of information, resources, and ideas. By using these tools effectively, we can build stronger and more inclusive communities better equipped to tackle the complex challenges of our time.‍

Want to find out how NEP Services can help your organization build social capital? Visit us as www.NEPServices.com.‍

Photo by John Cameron on Unsplash.
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‍Jim Aleski is a nearly 30-year fire service veteran and career engine company Lieutenant in the Philadelphia metro area. Jim serves as a Branding and Content Specialist at NEP Services and formerly served as the Communications/Social Media Director for the Professional Firefighters Association of New Jersey (PFANJ), the state affiliate of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). Prior to becoming a career firefighter, Jim responded as a volunteer while working for more than a decade as a media producer. Jim was involved in the production of hundreds of national TV commercials, network branding campaigns, music videos, and corporate communication projects. Jim holds a BS in Mass Communications from Emerson College and earned a MS in Fire and Emergency Management Administration from Oklahoma State University.