Visibility and Influence in Digital Social Relations: Towards a New Symbolic Capital?

TL;DR

This paper investigates how visibility and influence in digital social networks contribute to a new form of symbolic capital, highlighting key predictors and ethical considerations of online reputation and authority.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of digital symbolic capital, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to identify its predictors and implications.

Findings

Visibility is affected by content quality, network size, and engagement strategies.

Influence depends on credibility, authority, and trust.

A new form of symbolic capital based on online visibility and reputation is identified.

Abstract

This study explores the dynamics of visibility and influence in digital social relations, examining their implications for the emergence of a new symbolic capital. Using a mixedmethods design, the research combined semi-structured interviews with 20 digitally active individuals and quantitative social media data analysis to identify key predictors of digital symbolic capital. Findings reveal that visibility is influenced by content quality, network size, and engagement strategies, while influence depends on credibility, authority, and trust. The study identifies a new form of symbolic capital based on online visibility, influence, and reputation, distinct from traditional forms. The research discusses the ethical implications of these dynamics and suggests future research directions, emphasizing the need to update social theories to account for digital transformations.