How the structure of egocentric Facebook networks is associated with exposure to risky content for maltreated versus comparison youth

The current study examined the size and connectedness of egocentric Facebook networks as predictors of exposure to risky content among a sample of maltreated and comparison youth (n = 118). Social network measures (i.e., size, density, average degree, percent of isolates) were computed from the mutual friend list. A content analysis of posts by friends captured references to alcohol use, marijuana use, partying, and sexual content. Multiple-group path models showed that the larger size of the Facebook network and higher average degree predicted references to marijuana use only for comparison youth, whereas for maltreated youth a higher percent of isolates predicted more references to sexual content by Facebook friends. Structural measures of online networks may have potential utility for identifying those at risk.