Editing Socialization (section)

=== Digital socialization ===
Digital socialization refers to the process through which individuals acquire cultural norms, values, and behaviors via digital interactions. Unlike traditional socialization, which primarily occurs through face-to-face interaction, digital socialization takes place in online environments such as [[social media]] platforms, virtual communities, and other digital communication channels.

==== Beneficial Aspects ====
The italian sociologist [[Antonio Casilli]] has examined how digital socialization complements rather than replaces offline interactions. He argues that digital environments create a "hybrid sociability" where online and offline interactions are interconnected. This perspective challenges the assumption that digital communication isolates individuals, instead emphasizing the ways in which people use digital tools to maintain and expand their social networks. He has highlighted how [[social capital]] is built and maintained through [[Digital platform (infrastructure)|digital platforms]], as individuals engage in online communities that provide both bonding and bridging connections. Digital interactions have also been described as a form of "reciprocal grooming," where sharing content, commenting, and reacting to posts serve as mechanisms for maintaining social ties. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pacé |first=Serge |date=2011-01-03 |title=Antonio A. Casilli, Les liaisons numériques. Vers une nouvelle sociabilité ? |url=https://journals.openedition.org/lectures/1230 |journal=Lectures |language=fr |doi=10.4000/lectures.1230 |issn=2116-5289}}</ref>

The impact of [[social media]] on socialization has also been widely studied, with findings suggesting that digital platforms influence identity formation, belonging, and community participation. The ability to curate [[Digital identity#Social aspects|digital identities]] allows individuals to shape their online presence, affecting how they are perceived by others. Digital socialization extends beyond personal relationships to include political engagement, professional networking, and knowledge exchange. As digital interactions become more embedded in daily life, they contribute to the reshaping of social norms and collective behaviors. <ref>{{Citation |last=Beaudouin |first=Valérie |title=Les dynamiques des sociabilités |date=2009 |pages=21 |url=https://imt.hal.science/hal-00479579v1 |access-date=2025-04-01 |publisher=FYP |language=fr}}</ref>

Moreover,  relationship between digital and offline sociability within a cultural community in a mid-sized French city has been examined,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Guéraut |first=Élie |date=2017-05-16 |title=Quand les sociabilités numériques consolident les frontières sociales:Enquête sur le « milieu culturel » d'une ville moyenne |url=https://shs.cairn.info/revue-sociologie-2017-1-page-39?lang=fr |journal=Sociologie |language=fr |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=39–56 |doi=10.3917/socio.081.0039 |issn=2108-8845}}</ref> showing that social media, particularly Facebook, does not radically transform social structures but rather reinforces preexisting social divisions. Online interactions, while broadening access to social networks, tend to mirror and consolidate the boundaries already present in offline spaces. 

==== Challenging Aspects ====
Despite its benefits, digital socialization presents certain challenges. [[Algorithmic curation]] plays a central role in shaping digital socialization, offering personalized content but also introducing notable challenges. The rise of algorithm-driven content has been associated with the creation of "[[Filter bubble|filter bubbles]]" where individuals are exposed primarily to information that reinforces their existing beliefs. However, some scholars argue that similar mechanisms exist outside the digital sphere, as individuals in physical social environments also tend to surround themselves with like-minded people, reinforcing their existing perspectives. Social structures such as residential segregation, workplace affiliations, and educational institutions contribute to the formation of ideological and cultural bubbles that limit exposure to diverse viewpoints. This phenomenon raises concerns about ideological polarization and the potential narrowing of perspectives. Additionally, [[cyberbullying]] and online harassment have been identified as negative consequences of digital interaction, with some studies linking these experiences to psychological distress and social exclusion. Privacy concerns also play a significant role in discussions about digital socialization, as the collection and use of personal data in digital environments raise ethical questions about surveillance, data security, and the commercialization of social interactions. <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nguyen |first1=Godefroy Dang |last2=Lethiais |first2=Virginie |date=2016-03-24 |title=Impact des réseaux sociaux sur la sociabilité:Le cas de Facebook |url=https://shs.cairn.info/revue-reseaux-2016-1-page-165?lang=fr |journal=Réseaux |language=fr |volume=195 |issue=1 |pages=165–195 |doi=10.3917/res.195.0165 |issn=0751-7971}}</ref>

Others have examined the impact of digital technologies on contemporary sociability from a different lens, showing how online platforms redefine social interactions and shape the construction of social ties. While digital tools facilitate communication and strengthen certain social connections, they also reinforce existing social boundaries. Digital sociability is shaped by preexisting social structures, as online interactions often mirror offline inequalities rather than eliminating them. Factors such as socioeconomic status, education, and cultural capital influence individuals' digital socialization experiences. Furthermore, different digital spaces contribute to varying forms of social interaction, from reinforcing close-knit communities to facilitating [[Interpersonal ties#Weak tie hypothesis|weak-tie]] networks that provide access to new information and opportunities. <ref>{{Cite journal |last=Velkovska |first=Julia |date=2020 |title="Sociabilitées Numériques" |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/353357847 |journal=Ed. Réseau Canopé}}</ref>